Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1885-04-25
On the River.

Vh shC BhANCEs
Now that warm weather has at last arrived.
lovers of boating are making their appearance
at the different boat houses with refreshing
frequency, and on every pleasant evening the
beautiful Potomac is dotted with boats AS
usual, the COlumbias were the first to awake
from the lethargy caused by long winter, and
at the first intimation of settled warm weather
the rowing members of that club were on hand
ready to begin work. Every evening several
crews go out from the Columbia house. and the
manner in which the boats are handled shows
that the boys in blue have not forgotten their
effective swinging stroke. Their captain has
inaugurated the plan of sending the men out in
the barge for good hard pull, to timber them
up. There is good deal of first-class material
in the club which has not yet been developed,
and it is intended TO bring it out during the
present season,
The Potomacs were but few days behind the
Coi,imbias in signs of reviying activity, and the
with will Every evening finds them well re-
presented upon the river. The season will be
formally opened on Monday. They, too, have
number of promising candidates for rowing
honors. who have not yet figured in any con-
tests of Importance. If they prove as good as
they promise. they will be given seats in the
racing shells this summer.
The Analostans are always the last to get to
work, and although as yet but an occasional
boat has been seen to shoot out from their
house, they may as usual be expected TO take
an active and creditable part in this years re-
gatta.
The Potomacs and Columbias with their old
rivalry in mind, are already making prepare
tons for their meetings this summer, and are
figuring upon the crews that will represent
them. Those who remember how much more
difficult it is for our local boating men to agree
upon the date of their races than 1t is to row
them will advise them to fix the date for the
Potomac regatta as soon as possible. The CO.
lumbas will probably favor q date near that
upon which the National amateur regatta is
held. while the Potomacs will not want il be-
fore the latter part of September. The earlier
the question is settled the better it will be for
the regatta.
The Columbias are confident that their big
four will sweep the river this year, and are ex-
pecting to get light weight crew that will
think, will be easily selected from the amount
OF available material on hand.
The Potomacs feel that they will still remain
the champions OF the river, although their
doughty little crew of last year will be some
what broken up. Mckinney will, in all proba-
biity, not row in it. Bailey, however is getting
the she'll fever again and may be induced to
row. Better or pluckier oarsmen than he is are
scarce. The Potomacs begin to think that their
easness in that direction. They realize that
they will have to hustle around lively TO secure
ajunior crew that will beat either the Column
bias or AnalOStanS.
The Washington rowing club, which has lust
been organized, begi its career under the
most favorable auspices. Its membership is
men Of energy and judgment ana This club Wi
have all the privileges possessed by anyof the
OtilcIS III Tile IOlOLldc river regatta, and 1t is
the intention of the club to enter a senior and
Junior four and senior and Junior sculler in
the races. The new club expects its senior crew
to be hard to beat. Sweeny will row bow and
ii is whispered that experienced oarsmen from
one or more OF the other clubs will be in the
crew.
The Capital club is comfortably located at
Cumberland's lower boat house, with largely in
creased membership. This organization will
probably also take a hand in the seasons sports
on the river and with the Washington club will
make five local organizations to decide upon
matters and take part in races. The more the
merrier.
Wheeling.
The interest here in bicycling is still on the
increase, and new riders are seen on the streets
and the roads every day. The return of warm
weather has revived the interest in road riding,
and runs in every direction into the country
are made almost daily. The roads generally
are in splendid condition.
Quite large contingent of the Capital club
will start this evening for run to Frederick
They will stop over night at Ashton about 10
miles distant, and continue the trip to Fred
will be by rail.
The spring races of the Capital club promise
to far surpass any that have yet been held
under the auspices Of that club. They will be
held on the Odd of next month, and the pro-
gram will include club drin .unicycN exhibition,
and the following races: L mile open, 3 mile
novice, 2 mile for club cup, a. nfile pbeh. 5 mile
for Flint cup, mile Boston club, 1 mile class
race ana lady and gentleman race with tam
The flyers of the District are in training for
these races, and 1T is expected that better time
pate than formerly. The finer drills and parade
will combine to make the meet a great sue
cess.
Smith Brothers have brought from England a
racer for B. w. Hanna, of the Capital club The
machine is a Rudge, 56 inch wheel and is pro
nounced perfect in every particular. 1t weighs
only 25 pounds.
The members of the Capital club are making
arrangements for spending Decoration day at
on Friday, the 29th, taking their wheels with
them. Saturday morning they will take a run
over the splendid shell road to Virginia beach,
a distance OF fifteen miles. The party will re-
turn the following Monday. number of Bal
timore wheelmen will probably take part in this
excursion. A similar one last year was greatly
Mr.. VIM. F. Crist, of the Capital Bicycle club.
will ride this year a Royal Mail Racer This
when he broke the worlds one mile record last
summer at Springfield, covering the distance in
2:39 Crist had a bicycle stolen the other day.
1t was taken from the hall of his residence
The active membership ranks of the Capital
Bicycle club are soon to be greatly augmented
by the accession of many associate members
who have long desired admission to active
tically abolished.
mile championship cup of the c. BIZ c. has re.
ceived challenge from Hanna and will no
uouot demonstrate his ability to defend his
hard-won laurels in the races to occur Nav god
at Athletic park.
Capt. Gill will no doubt show the finest and
largest drill squads ever VT mustered from the
ranks OF the c. BIZ G. The club drill will be a
feature of the races May 22d. There will be
two squads, one composed Of uprights and the
other of stars.
Mr.. Arthur F. King is to be one of the many
contestants for hOnOrs and prizes at the races
this year. He rode splendid race last wear.
ana mas improved very much since then.
Base Bali.
The manner in which our National club has
attended to all the visiting teams has surprised
even the most enthusiastic hackers Of the home
club All the lovers Of the game are looking
forward to the admission of the Nationals into
the American Association, feeling satisfied that
they would take most creditable stand among
the clubs OF that organization. The nine as It's
now constituted Is stronger than ever before
Some base ball experts advise one or two
changes perhaps, and yet they are at a loss
where to make the changes, as everybody ON
the nine Is doing such good work. AS individ-
ual players they compare favorably with all
those who have visited here this spring, and as
team they surpass them in their pluck
and ability to pull themselves together
In the face of defeat, and play with redoubIed
energy The immense crowds that have COL
lected at Capitol park to witness the games, at
test the popularity Of base ball with Washing
tonians when there is good playing to be seen
The nine Is strong In pitchers having four good
ones-Barr, Gagus, Wise and Powell. Barr un-
ranks well with any bali twirlers in the coun.
try. They are short in catchers, however Full
mer having had TO stand most OF the work be-
hind the bat thus far. Baker is q splendid
catcher but he Is needed ut first base Knowles
been doing q 4, nd III,