The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1890-06-09
ATHLETICS IN HELENA
The Necessity for Encouraging the
Young Players in All Manly
Sports.
The Growth Of Athletic Clubs in
The United States in Late
Years.
The Helena Athletic Club Preparing for
Future Renown-All Legitimate Sports
to BE Enc outraged.

| the forma ton of athletic clubs and associa-
tions throughout the United States is one
| of the most encouraging signs that the fu-
ture generations of America are destined to
be the peers if not the superiors of all ath-
letes. 1t was not fifty years ago when the
American youth was forced like hot house
plant from the school bench to the Office
desk. He had little or no encouragement
to play base ball. cricket or foot ball. The
milder but equally scientific game of ten
mis- was unknown. And the result is now
apparent in some of the fiat chested. and
what Bill Nye would probably classify as
the bilious back-b1ters, Of the national ball
game.
Wholesome exercise of the body aids the
mind and certainly prolongs life. It is not
an un commo n thing in England to see the
veteran cricketers, like W. G. Grace, who
can hold heir own with the younger WELD
ers of the willow, and on the diamond in
this count ry even among the professional
players some of the Oldest players are still
among the most reliable.
Philadelphia. which may be termed the
home OF cricket IN this country, is every
year turning out new players who are capa-
bic of holding their own with some of the
crack teams on the other side, and the
reason is simply this, that no pains is
spared to cultivate tho taste among the
junior members and by giving them the
opportunity to witness close and exciting
games, and at the same time coaching them
IN all the rudiments of the art, they very
quickly enter into the spirit of the game
and animated by the prospect of some day
representing their club rapidly become apt
pupils. l therefore agree that it is the duty
of every athletic club to permit the sons Of
all senior members in good standing to be-
come junior members, say from the age of
10 to 16, without charge, and to encourage
and coach them in all the games for which
they seem to have natural aptitude or de-
sire. In thisway where eyesight and supple
ness of limb among the crack players be-
glng to fail, we have always a young and
enthusiastic element to fall back
upon, and there is nothing which gives
the youngster more keen enjoyment than
to lay out the veterans on even terms.
The growth of athletic clubs and the
solid foundation upon which they have
been built up both financially and physic-
ally can be seen by glancing over the list of
members of such organizations as the New
York Athletic club, the Manhattan. the
Staten Island Athletic club, the Boston,
Philadelphia, Detroit, Chicago. San Fran
cisco, and without onumerating them all
to realize this fact tpat hardly any city in
the United States with any claim to the IT,
tie is without one.
Helena is now in fair way to have an
organization which, if properly managed,
will not only make itself felt, but advertise
this city wherever base ball, cricket, tennis
and athletic games generally are known.
We have the money, brains and muscle to
make ourselves known. The new grounds
will be second to none in the west. We
will have ball team which will be superior
to any nine ever organized in the city.
cricket team is already in ex
istence which without any practice
succeeded two summers ago in sending
the crack eleven of the Smoky City home,
sadder but wiser men. In tennis we are
tirely to the lack of decent courts which as
in the case of the cricket team has pre-
vented that steady practice without which
no game can ever be reduced to a science.
For base ball, cricket and tennis all require
strong wrist, quick eye and steady nerve,
requisites without constant practice on a
good ground, for bunny ball ground,
rough wicket, or uneven court will ruin the
expert and disgust the novice with the game
before he learns to appreciate even its good
points. The grounds for the Helena Athletic
Association will be ready for use on or about
the 10Th of this month and in all probability
they will be opened with a tirst-class series
of ball games between Spokane Falls" and
Butte" While it ID on the cards that a
Helena nine will be ready to challenge the
winners. Later on series of games
will probably be arranged with the Sail
Lake City nine, and We are willing anC
l may say anxious to hear from any othel
mines who are not too proud to carry ava,
little Helena real estate on their boots
and some shecksls in their pockets. Tn,
association are also in correspondence will
a foot ball team hailing from the coast, ant
while kicking may not be considered GU
!, forte, we have few men capable of rush
ing things in very lively shape. goot
cricket pitch will be laid out to accommo
= ntro Inr Tod Rot cI,1r
who have a hankering after the old game
which, if it appears slow to the eye &C
customed to quick plays between bases, j
:. fast enough for the man who stands up t.
! defend the wickets.
The Caledonian club game. will. it is ais
believed, take place on the grounds of tn
association, and good halt-mile track il
D being prepared to accommodate them, an
> undoubtedly this should be one of the popu
), lar events. While tennis tournamen
open to the state, will be given in the fal
), and six good cinder courts will make tn
sets rather more interesting and lively tina
the games witnessed at the home tourne
~ ment given on the old tennis gyoun
last year. In fact to sum up the objects {
}. the Helena Athletic association in fe
have club, and grounds fitted up wit
grand stand, club house and every other at
S cessory to engender and maintain a first
class athletic club. where good games G
base ball, professional and amateur, can b
witnessed in comfort: where cricket, and a
!, athletic sports may be INDUCED in by mem
!, bers of the club on we'll kept grounds, espe
cially prepared for the purpose; and wher
ladies as we'll as gentlemen can play TENN
within easy access to the city, with tw
lines running every half hour to depe
not over three hundred yards from til
k ground, and where, after the game is fin
ished, a dip in the big Broadwater pluns
and good dinner at the hotel can be easil
obtained.
And. i'll conclusion let me say that
should be the object of every man and be
IS interested i'll athletic sports to lend wi
d ling hand towards helping out this gre.
project, and certainly expect myself to s,
|. the maroon and black, the chosen colors
IS the club. to the fore i'll almost every contes
y if not this season, at least next. whe
everything will be in smooth running orde
" and the name. if not the fame, of IL
ct Helena Athletic association will be as we
k, known in the east as it will be in the west
,e Il. S. HILL.
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