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Basketball History
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As a proud dealer of Horner Wood Flooring, the oldest name in Wood Flooring, we would like to give you a brief overview of the Origins of the game of Basketball.

Basketball (or "Basket Ball" as it was originally called) was invented by Canandian-born James Naismith in 1891.  Naismith was the physical education teacher at Springfield College which was then the YMCA Training School in Springfield, Massachusets.  He was tasked by his boss to come up with an indoor game that would occupy students' time between the football and baseball/track seasons.  The game should be developed to keep atheletes in shape during the winter months, but should not be too rough.

DR. JAMES NAISMITH
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Dr. Naismith with Ball and Peach Basket
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13 Rules of Basketball - Written by James Naismith

1.    The ball may be thrown in any direction with one or both hands.

2.    The ball may be batted in any direction with one or both hands, but never with the fist.

3.    A player cannot run with the ball. The player must throw it from the spot on which he catches it, allowance to be made for a man running at good speed.

4.    The ball must be held by the hands. The arms or body must not be used for holding it.

5.    No shouldering, holding, pushing, striking or tripping in any way of an opponent. The first infringement of this rule by any person shall count as a foul; the second shall disqualify him until the next goal is made or, if there was evident intent to injure the person, for the whole of the game. No substitution shall be allowed.

6.    A foul is striking at the ball with the fist, violations of Rules 3 and 4 and such as described in Rule 5.

7.    If either side makes three consecutive fouls it shall count as a goal for the opponents (consecutive means without the opponents in the meantime making a foul).

8.    A goal shall be made when the ball is thrown or batted from the grounds into the basket and stays there, providing those defending the goal do no touch or disturb the goal. If the ball rests on the edges, and the opponent moves the basket, it shall count as a goal.

9.    When the ball goes out of bounds, it shall be thrown into the field and played by the first person touching it. In case of dispute the umpire shall throw it straight into the field. The thrower-in is allowed five seconds. If he holds it longer, it shall go to the opponent. If any side persists in delaying the game, the umpire shall call a foul on them.

10.  The umpire shall be the judge of the men and shall note the fouls and notify the referee when three consecutive fouls have been made. He shall have power to disqualify men according to Rule 5.

11.  The referee shall be judge of the ball and shall decide when the ball is in play, in bounds, to which side it belongs, and shall keep the time. He shall decide when a goal has been made and keep account of the goals, with any other duties that are usually performed by a referee.

12.  The time shall be two fifteen-minute halves, with five minutes rest between.

13.  The side making the most goals in that time shall be declared the winner. 

YMCA Training School (Springfield College)
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Springfield, Massachusets

Original 1891 "Basket Ball" Court
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Springfield College

Peach Baskets and Ball
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Artifacts from Estate of Dr. James Naismith

As a former Rugby player, Naismith incorporated that game into an indoor game, with passing taking the place of tackling.  Peach baskets hung on the walls above the players' heads served as goals. Iron Hoops and hammock style baskets made of rope or chain were not used until 1893.  Ten more years passed before an open-ended basket was used.  Prior to this, the basketball had to be manually retrieved each time a goal was scored. 

Outdoor Basketball circa 1892
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Old Basketball Net
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Univesity of Kansas Basketball Team
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1908

University of Kansas Basketball Team
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1923

1899 University of Kansas Basketball Team
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Dr. Naismith at back right

Known as the "Father of Basketball", Naismith went on to found and coach the University of Kansas basketball program six years after the introduction of the game.  The Basketball Hall of Fame is located in Sprinfield, Massachusets, where the game was conceived.

Early Women's Basketball Team
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Uniforms Complete with Bloomers

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