Fields of Friendly Strife

When his daughter Jena became a fervent participant in high-school athletics, Janovy (Keith County Journal wanted to know why. His double role as doting father and sports philosopher clouds his observations in this mawkish and portentous journal. We learn that Jena played with a white toy football as a toddler, before becoming a baseball, volleyball and basketball jock. Yet, although he discusses Margaret Mead's ethnographic films, analyses of sports photographs and his own unsubstantiated belief that athletic competition is an ingrained part of human biology, Janovy never really explains his daughter's involvement in sports. His reflections on the art of coaching and the pleasures of making the varsity team will interest aficionados. Parents whose children are hooked on athletics may find portions of this brief report relevant to their concerns. (April 20)