19th Hole: The Readers Take Over

Sirs:
I could easily write forever disproving the implications in your one-sided and slightly ignorant comments on the Russian hockey team's recent tour of Canada (SCORECARD, Jan. 4).

Of the 300,000 hockey players in Russia, the 18 comprising its team are the best 18 in the country. As for Canada's National team, I know there are few Canadians who can truly say that they are proud of its caliber. However, the reason for this poor caliber is that any promising hockey players in this country are scooped up at an early age by the NHL organizations, none of which seem willing to give them up, even temporarily, to represent their country. Consequently, the Russians, who have been playing as a team for years, look good against the Canadian National team, which is a team composed of the "leftovers," who have been playing together for only a matter of months.

As for your suggestion that a Russian team might come close to matching an NHL team, Clarence S. Campbell is not to blame for such a contest not having taken place. It was made impossible by a rule of the International Ice Hockey Federation, which forbids an amateur team to play a professional team without the express consent of this world amateur body. Agreement on this point will probably soon be reached, since the Russian players are professionals in reality, and I predict that within the next two years the Russians will play a pro team, maybe even an NHL team. If the game is played under European rules (which it should not rightly be, since it is they who are challenging us), the NHL team will probably win 8-2. Under Canadian hockey rules the pros will win 12-0.
STEVE JOHNSTONE
Montreal, Que.

ROCKS ON THE HEAD
Sirs:
After reading Mr. H. Malcolm Gillette's suggestions (19TH HOLE, Jan. 18), I feel it is only fitting to add a few more ideas to enhance the "boring" game of basketball. Keeping in line with Mr. Gillette's suggestions, why not have a revolving circular floor instead of the conventional, unmoving rectangular one to go along with Mr. Gillette's "swinging backboards." I'm sure we would then be insured of a low-scoring, "scientific" game.

If this doesn't do the trick, perhaps some five-pound rocks could be intermittently dropped from a platform above the basketball court to further allay Mr. Gillette's boredom!
CHARLIE BROWN
Keyport, N.J.

WESTWARD WHIT
Sirs:
The officials at the Big A had better pick up your boy Whitney Tower's pass after the way he went overboard on Santa Anita's mile track (Golden Days at the Dentist's. Jan. 11). Tell Whitney there are still some handicap horses left in the East. The good eastern race riders will depart Santa Anita when Hialeah opens.
JIM CHERRY
Reno

Sirs:
As a $2 bettor who usually goes out to Arlington or Washington Park once a year and subsequently loses his shirt, your timely article on Santa Anita brought back some happy memories. Besides providing the $2 bettor with every thing he could dream of in the way of comfort, Santa Anita has another asset that Whitney Tower seems to have overlooked.

His name is Bud Baedeker, and he has picked more winners in one day than Tex Maule has in 10 years of fearless football forecasts. Thanks to Baedeker's Guide, I didn't come back to Chicago with a handful of "win" tickets in my pocket.

Most people go to the races to win, and Santa Anita is as great a place to try as any I have ever come across, especially with friendly Mr. Baedeker and his handy little Guide.
JOHN T. SHEAN
Clarendon Hills, Ill.