THE QUESTION: Is baseball losing out as the typical American game?

RICHARD M. NIXON
Vice-President of U.S.
As a spectator sport, baseball is still our typical game. However, as a participant sport, I think there is a danger. The major leagues have a real problem in promoting more participation in the game in our schools and amateur leagues.

ED. F. CAVANAGH
New York City
Fire Commissioner
As a Giant fan for more than a decade, and prior thereto a Dodger fan for two decades, I regretfully conclude baseball has slipped seriously. But no other sport, no matter how popular, as yet enjoys the universal national appeal of baseball.

GEORGE BRYSON
Cincinnati
Telecasler
No. I think baseball holds a greater interest than all the other sports combined. Baseball is not only a spectator sport. I'm sure that 90% or more of the boys in this country play or have played baseball. You can't say that for football.

JOE McGUFF
Kansas City
Sports writer
Americans have taken up other sports in a big way. Baseball does not have the unique position it once had. People don't go to the games in the numbers they used to because they spend more time participating in such sports as golf and boating.

TOM GALLERY
New York
NBC Director of Sports
It certainly is not. There's a specific reason for my answer. There's a greater demand for baseball on TV from isolated areas all over the country than there ever has been. On weekends baseball is the highest rated of all shows.

MAL ALBERTS
Pittsburgh
Telecaster
Yes, as a participant sport. I think that football is the typical American game. The thrill of teamwork in football is typical of American life. There's nothing in sports like the thrill of an 11-man team working as a unit.

MEL ALLEN
New York City
Telecaster
No sir, not as a spectator sport. Just take all the names of all the great athletes in the U.S. from bowling to baseball. Who are the best known? The baseball stars rate 10 to 1, over the stars in any other sport, even football.

AL ABRAMS
Pittsburgh
Sports editor
No. Baseball still holds the biggest fan interest, but college and professional football are close. Baseball has the advantage of a longer season and still can be called the national game. But the shorter football season generates more excitement.

NINE PHOTOS