Basketball was invented by Dr. James Naismith, a Canadian physical education instructor, in December 1891 at the YMCA Training School (now Springfield College) in Springfield, Massachusetts. He devised the game using peach baskets as hoops and a soccer ball, writing the original 13 rules himself.
The Challenge: Luther Gulick, the school’s director, asked Naismith to invent a new indoor game to keep students active during cold New England winters.
The First Game: Played on December 21, 1891, using peach baskets nailed to the gym balcony and a soccer ball, with rules like no running with the ball
.
The Rules: Naismith’s initial rules emphasized passing and limited physical contact, laying the foundation for modern basketball.
Some say Naismith devised the game to create a less injury-prone indoor sport for winter.
Currently, national emergency care room statistics in the U.S,A. would prove his failure in that regard. Basketball injuries rank in the top three events causing injury requiring medical attention to youth in the United States. Basketball mishaps are not far behind skateboard injuries requiring emergency medical attention.
Others have said, Naismith was in the pedagogic care of an exceptionally unruly hyper-active group of young men that needed a winter time activity to direct their youthful energy in a positive manner. Perhaps, the instructions to create a suitable activity from Luther Gulick , who was dealing with the discipline of the school, supports this claim.
Another key to understanding the start of the game is in the name of its inventor, Doctor Naismith. James was not a medical doctor, he held the highest advanced degree in the studies of physical education. Naismith was attempting to put that education into practical action.
This online narrative, ‘Michael and the Cricket’ proposes what has propelled the game of basketball forward and into the hearts and minds of so many players was evident at the games initiation.
There was something unexplainable happening … …
Scripture teaches God said: “Let There Be Light”, thereafter, there was light. Who said ‘Let There Be Basketball’, and what happened thereafter.
How did the game of basketball come into existence, and how did it grow into the version of the game we have today.
In this chapter, we address what happened immediately after it was proclaimed by the great Doctor Naismith that WE SHALL PLAY BASKETBALL!
WAS THE IT ORDAINED WITH ‘MANIFEST DESTINY’.
From the games initiation, it had a high acceptance level. It was welcomed internationally, and by men and women as participants and fans.. There is no doubt something propelled the game forward globally. There was something magnetic about the sport of basketball.
‘GOD SURELY MUST HAVE SHINED A LIGHT FROM THE HEAVENS ON THE SPORT OF BASKETBALL’
There is no doubt that basketball has provided much for many.
Here on this website, we address professional basketball at the highest level. For those who pursue playing at this level there are benefits. But the highest levels of competition are not achieved without sacrifice and consequences. Everyone must pay that price to play. It can’t be paid with money. And often, the toll comes well after one finishes playing competitive basketball. Far too often, that effort to excel at playing basketball on its highest level results in the early termination of life itself. … … Let’s continue with this philosophy and cost analysis later. Point made, it’s not all fun and games at the professional level of basketball.
Here in this chapter, ‘Let Ther Be Light’, we start to move toward an understanding of those who had that special sauce, that ‘SOMETHING”, the it FACTOR, from the games invention in 1989 to mid 1900’s. We believe a certain set of skill and circumstance has always existed in the game of basketball at its highest competitive levels. In some manner or form in it appears often in those who strive for the top of the ladder within the game.
IN THIS CHAPTER NARRATIVE, WE ESTABLISH THAT THE ‘IT FACTOR’ WAS AN INTEGRAL PART MOST ALL YOUNG PROFESSIONAL PLAYERS DURING THE FIRST 70 YEARS OF THE GAME.
This website is not a history of the game presentation. However we need to understand a few basics to proceed.
Eventually, in subsequent chapters, we get to the 1960’s era of professional basketball. This is where the real personal narrative on Michael & The Cricket actually begins.
In chapter one, we insufficiently cover 70 years of the games history on one website page, … … a very quick and simple manner from a historical perspective.
We address this ‘it’ factor as a key element in most all young phenom basketball players from half of the 20th century.
Further, demonstrate that there is a historical connecting element between:
MICHAEL & THE CRICKET
Naismith Promotes Basketball
The Challenge: Luther Gulick, the school’s director, asked Naismith to invent a new indoor game to keep students active during cold New England winters.
The First Game: Played on December 21, 1891, using peach baskets nailed to the gym balcony and a soccer ball, with rules like no running with the ball
.
The Rules: Naismith’s initial rules emphasized passing and limited physical contact, laying the foundation for modern basketball.
Some say Naismith devised the game to create a less injury-prone indoor sport for winter.
Currently, national emergency care room statistics in the U.S,A. would prove his failure in that regard. Basketball injuries rank in the top three events causing injury requiring medical attention to youth in the United States. Basketball mishaps are not far behind skateboard injuries requiring emergency medical attention.
Others have said, Naismith was in the pedagogic care of an exceptionally unruly hyper-active group of young men that needed a winter time activity to direct their youthful energy in a positive manner. Perhaps, the instructions to create a suitable activity from Luther Gulick , who was dealing with the discipline of the school, supports this claim.
Another key to understanding the start of the game is in the name of its inventor, Doctor Naismith. James was not a medical doctor, he held the highest advanced degree in the studies of physical education. Naismith was attempting to put that education into practical action.
This online narrative, ‘Michael and the Cricket’ proposes what has propelled the game of basketball forward and into the hearts and minds of so many players was evident at the games initiation.
There was something unexplainable happening … …
Spread of the Game: Naismith spread the game nationwide through the YMCA network, and it became an Olympic sport in 1936.
…………………………….
Throughout the first half of the 20th century, the YMCA was a nationwide organization with local programs in various sports.
Young Men’s Christian Association, a global non-profit organization founded in London in 1844 to provide safe spaces, spiritual support (Bible study), and social programs for young men during the Industrial Revolution, though it now serves everyone with diverse community, fitness, and youth programs.
Key points about the YMCA:
Started by George Williams as a refuge from harsh city conditions for young men working long hours.
Expanded from its Christian roots to become an inclusive organization open to all people, regardless of age, race, or religion, offering secular services.
Offers health & fitness centers, sports leagues, childcare, camps, and community development programs
Focuses on youth development, healthy living, and social responsibility, embodying Christian principles in practice …………………………..
Why? This is the key question that directs to an important aspect of the game. What made tossing a ball into a peach basket so appealing. Further, why was it interesting to other YMCA organizations.
………………………………….
The answer to reaches into where we are headed in this online book. The …
We can not verify that the voice or words in the above video are actually the words spoken by Dr, Naismith.
However, we are certain beyond any doubt about his personal proclamations and the facts about the game’s creation. Those facts are well documented. As a man with a Doctorate in Education, Naismith, documented every detail in writing. His writing still exist.
If it is his voice, he confirms the delinquent rowdy and rough behavior of the boys.
THE POINT IS THAT THE GROWTH OF THE GAME OF BASKETBALL IS PARTIALLY DUE TO THE FACT THAT IT HAS ALWAYS APPEALED TO YOUTH OF A CERTAIN, … … … SHALL WE SAY, ROUGH NATURE!
… is this not also why the game appealed to fans. Who among us doesn’t watch a fight in the school yard …
BASKETBALL IS AND HAS ALWAYS BEEN A ‘CONTACT’ SPORT THAT PEOPLE LIKE TO WATCH.
This instantly supports the narrative of this Online Website Book.
There were a limited number of surviving films/videos of the game of basketball from 1982 beyond the 20’s. The video with female playes is believed to be the earliest surviving footage in 1909. Notice rims with nets.
We have mostly only photographs to see what the game of basketball looked like. until 1940.
There are quite a few surviving audio clips about basketball during the early 20th century. They are difficult to obtain.
The earliest known film/video of a complete basketball game is from a doubleheader at Madison Square Garden in 1939. See this film footage of the first profession game being recorded on film below.
What was going on with the game from 1889 until 1920 was difficult to comprehend. Basketball became universally accepted by players and fans. … …
The game of basketball was growing like wildfire in popularity across the USA and in extablished roots in Europe.
Naismith went on a tour of YMCA facilities to share the game. But the game was spreading exponentially. many physical education teachers began studying and spreading the game. Both young men and women enjoyed playing the game. It was a group sport for everyone.
By 1892, basketball players were performing at paid revenues within only a short time of its creation. Indicating that the new enjoyment of the game was visual to fans as well as physically to players.
Professional Leagues were created along the East Coast of the country. The mid-west was filled with league and the West coast of the United States wasn’t to be left out of this new trend called basketball.
THIS WAS A MAGICAL COMBINATION THAT REMAINS STRONG IN THE GAME OF BASKETBALL TODAY. Fanatical new sports enthusiast were immediately willing to pay to watch the ‘New Game of Basketball’.
International awareness and playing the game began by the turn of the century. It wasn’t just Americans catching ‘the bug’, it was global. Not soon after Naismith kicked things off, one of the original Springfield student took the game to France. The French were absolutely enthralled by the new sport, as international teaching exchanges on both sides of the ocean were undertaken.
What was going on with the game from 1889 until 1920 was difficult to comprehend. Basketball became universally accepted by players and fans. … …
The game of basketball was growing like wildfire in popularity across the USA and in extablished roots in Europe.
Naismith went on a tour of YMCA facilities to share the game. But the game was spreading exponentially. many physical education teachers began studying and spreading the game. Both young men and women enjoyed playing the game. It was a group sport for everyone.
By 1892, basketball players were performing at paid revenues within only a short time of its creation. Indicating that the new enjoyment of the game was visual to fans as well as physically to players.
Professional Leagues were created along the East Coast of the country. The mid-west was filled with league and the West coast of the United States wasn’t to be left out of this new trend called basketball.
THIS WAS A MAGICAL COMBINATION THAT REMAINS STRONG IN THE GAME OF BASKETBALL TODAY. Fanatical new sports enthusiast were immediately willing to pay to watch the ‘New Game of Basketball’.
International awareness and playing the game began by the turn of the century. It wasn’t just Americans catching ‘the bug’, it was global. Not soon after Naismith kicked things off, one of the original Springfield student took the game to France. The French were absolutely enthralled by the new sport, as international teaching exchanges on both sides of the ocean were undertaken.
