Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1889-06-08
OUTDOOR SPORTS.
Some Popular Games From . Specta-
tors Standpoint.


CRICKET BASEBALL, FOOTBALL, TENNIS AND La.
CROSSE CONSIDERED AND COMPARISONS DRAwS-
CRICKET N AMERICA AND BAsE-DALL IN EU-
RoPE-rENNIs NOT SPECTATORS GAME
In the matter of athletic sports there are al
ways two sides to be considered, the players
and the spectators, for games Of athletic skill
have nowadays become as much entertainments
as pastimes. Therefore it is that there is more
popular interest in more real enthusiasm over
sports that give the on-lookers excitive enjoy
ment generally than in contests Of skill where
the play Is of such a close, technical character
that only players themselves understand and
appreciate their good qualities. The fate of
cricket here and base ball in England is q
marked example of the tendency of national
taste in this respect. Cricket is full of close
points. and the play is Of peculiar character
that has never caught the general attention of
the sport-loving public this side of the
water while in England it always draws a
crowd. Considered on an essentially American
basis cricket is too slow. meaning that the
plays in the game do not offer sufficient variety
OF interest or foundation for excitement.
Monotony is the death of interest but cricket
seems to possess the additional fault of being
played so far away from the spectators that
the fine work of the bowler and of the batsman
In defending his wicket is lost.
ADVANTAGES OF BASE BALL
Base ball seems to offer every advantage to
the spectator. The play is rapid. and there are
now but few long waits. The element of ex
element is amply supplied in those moments
when the difference of balls width in any
play may change the entire result. In addition
to this the American public have grown up
with the game and have developed with it. see-
ing its growth from the old game OF 1.-TWO old
cat, where the runner was hit by the ball. to
the present stage - scientific work, through
the various degrees of slow pitching, swift
underhand pitching, under shoulder throwing.
and finally full, free throws straight from the
shoulder.
THE EVOLUTION OF THE GAMR
has been marked, bnt so slowly was it accom-
plished that the world of spectators did not
fully appreciate the great change that finally
took place, and now the public is up to the
game. interested in every point, awake to every
possibility, ready to yell when the occasion
warrants. and to sigh and say unmentionable
words when misfortune falls. As matter of
fact. 1t would be difficult to establish any new
or old sport in this country that would drew
the crowds or sustain the interest that base ball
does, although in some sections this sport is
slightly overshadowed by local preferences for
cricket or foot ball.
FOOT BALL.
The latter sport possesses all the necessary
elements to excite and interest spectators. and
indeed is a strong candidate for fayors along
side of what has been dubbed the national
game. IL has, however, one or two objection
able features that have brought it into disre.
pute. First Of all the game-the Rugby or rum
ming game, which is played here almost en-
trely-Is essentially rough, and several severe
accidents occur each season. Then the play
known as the ''scrimmage." when at least half
OF the twenty-five players are struggling for
the possession of the ball, makes it impossible
for the onloOker to see what is actually done in
what Is really the most exciting part of the
game. The operations of "lining-up" and
''snapping-back" make uninteresting waits that
detract from the general interest.
LAWN TENNIS.
Base ball undoubtedly cannot last forever as
a leading sport, although it has a strong and
long lease of life. Yet there are many people
firing of it now. and looking around for other
games-not to play, but to watch, for, as be-
fore mentioned, in the matter OF athletic
sports there two sides to be considered
the players and the spectators. Lawn tennis
or tennis for short-has secured a great hold
on the people of the eastern section of the
country. but only as players game. 1t can
never be so populariZed as to become a draw
ing card for great crowds under the most
favorable circumstances. The recent touraa-
ment Of the Southern lawn tennis association
held in this city, exemplified that fact for
although there was some of the best talent in
the country present the playing did not at
tract more than small handful of spectators
any day. The game is extremely monotonous to
the watcher, and the plays are all very much
alike. 1t is only occasionally that a pretty
stroke or a long rally draws forth applause,
and never does the pulse of the on-looker
quicken beyond its normal gait because a close
point is in play. OF course, to the players
themselves this is different indeed and for
them there is no more charming game in ex-
lstence. But as a form of entertainment lawn
tennis is not success.
LACROSSE IN VIEW
There is a sport in sight, an old and re-
spected sport, a native of this continent. prob
ably here when Columbus discovered America
that promises to supply the want some folks
feel for change of amusement in the line of
athletics, and to rival even base ball in its hold
on excitement-loving people. It's name is
lacrosse, and generally speaking it needs no
further introduction, but it should be briefly
characterized a field game played with a
a ball. 1t originated among the aboriginal in
habitants OF America, and was first brought to
the notice of white men as a sport by its pav by
the lroquois Indians in Canada. 1t is like foot
ball in Its elements of counting and play and
like tennis in Its method of handling the ball
That is the game is to drive a ball between the
goals of the opposing sides. but the ball cannot
NC tue DtlllS on OF
thrown from a long stick bent at the top like a
bishops crosier, and the hook strung loosely
to the shank forming slightly baggy net
several inches long.
POINTS OF THE GAME.
The game is full OF running, which, indeed,
forms the main feature of the play. Great
skill is obtainable in handling the "crosse,"
catching a ball in swift motion. twisting il out
OF reach OF an opponent, throwing 1T high or
low over the heads of the crowd, i'll fact max
ing the sticks supply the place of hands. There
are about as many men on each side in foot
bail. perhaps less, placed about the same. The
excitement in lacrosse is continuous and great.
good thrower gets the ball and. by q neat
turn of his wrist, sends it spinning through the
air towards the other goal. A skillful player
jumps forward il falls and catches it dexter
ously in his net. starting forward with the speed
of deer, with the entire opposing field charg-
ing down on him from all directions He lodges
one and another this way and that always gain
ing until he is effectually blocked and his oppo-
nent scoops the ball out of the net with his crosse
before it can be thrown. and is of in the oppo-
site direction like flash. Or. maybe the first
runner. finding himself az bay. losses the ball
the latter starts in another effort. There
is ample chance for strategy, and tricks to de-
ceive opponents abound. For instance, a player
will exchange the ball to partner quickly, and
both will start out at a dead run. Que pretend
ing to have the ball. the other seemingly run
ming to help his brother. and when the crowd