19th Hole: The Readers Take Over

UP AND DOWN
Sirs:
I was delighted to read Stephen Birmingham's Up Squash! Down Baseball! (SI, Nov. 9) and be advised that skiing had been downgraded, or was Down, as the author put it. This was the best news any hard-core skier could receive. I sincerely hope all the Bogner-bottomed young things that just have to be seen will now stay home and quit cluttering up the lift lines and slopes and leave skiing to the purists.
O. L. SMITH
Pontiac, Mich.

Sirs:
Your article, Up Squash! Down Baseball! by Stephen Birmingham shows a completely idiotic point of view. The man obviously shows no understanding of the situation.
WAYNE GIVENS
Hanover, N.H.

Sirs:
Don't you people know that it has been, is and always will be Up to be Down? And don't you people know that it has been, is and always will be Down to be Up?
K. H. BREMER
Manhattan, Kans.

Sirs:
Up education! Up all sports! How many parents have had their 11-and 13-year-old children return from the local high school football game with the following remarks: "Oh, the game! We didn't watch it. We don't understand the game. Had a wonderful time talking to the girls and boys!"

The answer lies in a physical education course that teaches rules and regulations of all sports. With knowledge of the game appreciation will always be Up!
AGNES A. SKLUND
Miami

Sirs:
If Nikita sees the November 9 issue of SPORTS ILLUSTRATED, I hope he reads Stephen Birmingham's story. He might well stop all arms production, figuring that with youngsters like these, we will beat ourselves.
MRS. W. J. GEISELMAN
Houston

Sirs:
Have just finished reading the article Up Squash! Down Baseball! by Stephen Birmingham.

I am writing to ask for a short biography of the man.

I believe that I have him pretty well catalogued in my mind. Would just like to check on myself to see how right—or wrong—I am.
C. A. CLINGENPEEL
Fayette, Mo.

?For biographical notes on Author Birmingham, see MEMO FROM THE PUBLISHER, July 27. Birmingham admits to being "a notorious Down sportsman" while in college (Williams '50) but adds that his three children are beginning to "show definite signs of being Up."—ED.