The Washington critic. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1889-1889, 1889-03-27
GENERAL sponrrNe sorrs.


A special dispatch from Boston says
LAWN tennis will be more popular game
than ever this year The players will be
better as rule than they have been, aud
the competition in the various tournaments
promises to be far more interesting and
even in point of play than IL has been in
the past. Several prominent players will
not be seen In the championships this sea
son, among them ex-Champion r. ID. Sears
and DR.. James Dwight Of Boston aud Liv-
ingstone Beeckman OF New York.
"Mr. Dwight is probably the best-known
player In America and England. lie has
been u contestant In many tournaments In
England, and has repeatedly carried of
honors there. Indeed, his friends assert
that In America he does not, for some
reason, show the playing form he has dis
played abroad, and Mr.. Dwight himself
does not deny this, and attributes II to
climatic influences, the English climate
agreeing with him better than our own. lie
was very much disappointed over his defeat
in the championship tournament at New
port last year by II. W. Slocum, IT,, and
determined then and there to seek no honors
hereafter In the championship Journeys.
X. ID. Sears, the ex-champion, is probably
out of competition forever.
about eighteen months ago he strained
a cord or muscle of his neck while trying to
make an almost impossible stroke at play
In New York, and Inflammation setting In
a very deep abscess formed In the neck, ne
cessitating two surgical operations Mr..
Sears has not yet fully recovered from this
trouble, and his friends are OF the opinion
that II he were to play with all the activity
and force for which he was famed while
champion he would bring on q renewal OF
the ailment. Mr.. Beckman announced his
retirement q year ago, for the reason that
his business was such he could not give the
time to tennis that was necessary to de-
velop championship fame.
"Many excellent PLAYERS are developing
here, among them Fred. Mansfield and +.
l.. V. Hoppn, who were winners at the
Washington tournament for the Southern
championship last fall. II is very probable
that two or three English and Irish players
will come to this country In July TO COM
pete for the championship at Newport.
Under the rules of the National Associa-
ton foreigners are allowed to compete with
the consent of the executive committee,
and this will be granted.
''Dr. Dwight is in London at present, and
wilLendeavor to get as many players aspos-
sible to come out. w. j. Hamilton of
Ireland and Il. w. Lewis, one Of the most
prominent Of English players, are the gen
tlemen expected here. II they decide to
come II is very probable that they will be
met In London by Mr.. II. A. Ditson, a we'll
known promoter of the game, and will be
accompanied by him TO America early in
July. II is the general belief here that II
Mr.. Hamilton or Mr.. Lewis plays at New
port Mr.. Slocum will not be the champion
of 1ss9-00, and that the honors will 20
abroad"
President Clark Of the Louisville Jockey
Club has announced that he will reopen the
Kentucky Handicap, receive new entries
and assign new weights. He takes this
course because In making up his list of en-
tries and weights Secretary Bruce accident
ally omitted Egmont, Macbeth H., Sher-
wood and Poteen. The error was not dis
covered until Mr.. Hawkins wrote TO protest
against the leaving out Of Egmont and Po-
teen without authority
In view of Wards disinclination to come
to Washington In pursuance Of the agree
ment between Messrs. Hewett and Day,
the question has come up, would 1t be
sound policy to compel him to come, as can
be done under the national agreement 1t
is earnestly hoped that the matter will be
amicably settled, and that the great short
stop will put his name to Washington
contract with an ardent ambition to give
the city as good nine as the material war
rants, but the indications do not Justify
such hope. THE CRITIC would be pleased
to print the views Of local baseball patrons
on this important deal.
Pitcher John Clarkson has been mp.
| pointed captain Of the Boston Baseball
nine, but only for brief term. The delay
in appointing captain shows that the
directors have not given up hopes Of secur-
ing Johnny Ward.
The way things look now, Boston to Sc
cure Ward must let Hewett purchase his
| release for 81, 900 and then turn the player
over to Boston in exchange for John Nor
rill and Sam Wise and consideration OF
about $4,000.
Most of the new men-Dan Brouthers in
| particular-are DESTROYS Of having Ward,
| and the Boston directors would willingly
part with $40, 0G0 TO have Ward member
| Of the team.
The American BASEBALL teams left Belfas,
at o'clock yesterday morning, and ar
rived at Dublin at IL. The ride was most
pleasant, the weather being exceedingly
bright, and the beautiful rolling landscape
made an agreeable impression on players o.
Irish parentage, who had anticipated visit
to Erin as the most delightful feature
Of the tour At the depot they were met
by United States Consul McGaskill, Mr.
Frederick Gallagher, editor OF Sport
and a number OF well-knowa Irish and
| American citizens, and conducted TO Morri
sons Hotel. After lunch they were ten
dered reception at the Mansion House
being received by Private Secretary Johr
b. Hall, in the absence OF the Lord Mayor
After being conducted about the various
apartments they INDUCED In drink to thu
health of "Ould Ireland"
The players spent the rest of the day II
sightseeing, and quite number took trip!
to the neighboring country to visit tn,
homes Of their relatives In the evening
they attended the Gaiety Theatre and saw
the comedy ARABIAN Nights with full
and fashionable house. Word was received
from Williamson, the Chicago short stop
from London saying that his injury would
prevent him from leaving with the party
tomorrow and that he would follow II
about week.
Charles Byrne has notified Manager Burn
ham that Wheelock's case is under consid
Grafton, and, until the board arrives at
decision, Worcester will retain the playe
and may thereafter.
1t is pretty thoroughly understood tina
negotiations were closed yesterday
whereby Ray, the clever Boston short-stop
will cover that position for Toledo Tn,
purchase is not outright, but Toledo get
his services just the same. Ray is won
derful fielder, and is unquestionably supe
rior to any other in the International. IL
is also very fair hitter.-[Toledo Bee.