The Infinite Arena: Seven Science Fiction Stories About Sports: Joy in Mudville, Bullard Reflect, Body Builders, Great Kladnar Race, Mr. Meek Plays Polo, Sunjammer, Run to Starlight

Will there be sports in man's future? Science fiction says, "Well, yes and no." Yes, there will be sports-- of a sort. No, they won't necessarily be the same sports we know today. Editor Terry Carr has collected the views of seven science-fiction veterans on this subject and presents them here in an anthology about the ways in which men may compete in centuries to come. - In "Joy in Mudville,"the bear-faced natives of Toka defend their baseball championship of the Interbeing League. - In "Bullard Reflects," the Dazzle Dart champions turn their athletic gifts against a crew of murderous invaders. - In "The Body Builders," a fighter exchanges his own heavyweight frame for the body of a jockey, and is promptly challenged to fight. - In "The Great Kladnar Race," bored earthmen try to get up a morning line from among the low-slung, six-legged kladnars of Gornik VII. - In "Mr. Meek Plays Polo," a visitor to Saturn finds his game of space polo being masterminded by a group of educated bugs. - In "Sunjammer," space vehicles are powered only by their vast, mile-high plastic sails which are propelled by the sun. - In "Run to Starlight," earthling footballers are faced with a team of squat, super-powerful Brish-diri. Sports fans or not, readers will enjoy this engaging compendium--- fantastic athletes, frantic coaches, and all.