To each his own ballgame

I come from Britain, and I cannot understand why Americans so frequently chide each other for ``resisting the world's brand of football,'' as in the editorial ``The World's Ballgame,'' May 19.

Why shouldn't at least one country stay different? Would you want, for example, the national game of Afghanistan, buzkashi, either to be replaced by soccer or to be taken up everywhere so that it is no longer Afghanistan's?

You say ``Citizens of the world's superpower should want to understand and enjoy the world's sport.'' There is no ``should'' about it. Guy Ottewell, Greenville, S.C.

Your letters are welcome. For publication they must be signed and include your address and telephone number. Only a selection can be published, and none acknowledged. Letters should be addressed to ``Readers Write,'' and can be sent by Internet E-mail (200 word maximum) to OPED@RACHEL.CSPS.COM, by fax to 617-450-2317, or by mail to One Norway St., Boston, MA 02115