[originaltext] To quickly review the main points covered in Chapter 1, the m

To quickly review the main points covered in Chapter 1, the most important part of sports is its influence and popularity among people from different walks of life throughout the world. Then what is the case here? Well, if you judge by the number of people who go to see the games and by the number of those who actually play it, basketball is probably the most popular sport in the U.S. It is mainly an indoor game, and the season extends from late fall, through the winter, to early spring. There are many professional teams, but for the most part basketball is a school sport. There is hardly a high school or college in the country that does not have its team and its loyal fans.
    In spring and summer, the most popular sport is base-ball. During the warm weather, you can see young men and boys playing this game in many parts of the country. Radio and television bring the details of the big games to every corner of the land, and the activities of the professional teams are a topic of conversation for Americans everywhere.
    In the fall, the most popular sport is football. As you know, this is not the same kind of game that is so popular in other parts of the world. Like basketball and baseball, it is typically American, and those who have never seen it before have difficulty seeing any sense in it. But for most of the spectators the game itself is not so important as the music, the cheering, and the festive spirit that go with it. On a cool bright autumn afternoon, there is nothing so colorful and exciting as a football game.