Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1890-01-19
POLO ON SKATES.
A Draw Game Last Night-What the
Game is Like.


A Draw Game Last Night-what the
Game is Like.
An exciting game OF polo was played at
the skating rink last night between two
teams made up of local players. The
teams were known as the REDS and the
Blues" and were costumed appropriately.
In order to win, one team had to win three
goals or games out of FIVE played. The
"Blues" won two straight goals, but could
not capture the third, though they did their
best to do so for over an hour after the two
previous goals had been won. Owing to
the lateness of the hour the battle for the
last goal was postponed for one week.
This is comparatively new game in
Sacramento and bids fair to become very
popular
Polo is played in many different ways,
but the principle of the game remains the
same in all cases. 1t is played on field,
with the players mounted on horseback;
again, it is played by expert swimmers in
tank bath houses, and on skates, either ice
or roller. A popular way too, is to play it
on a baseball diamond, with the players
unmounted.
Polo resembles, somewhat, and origin
ated from the familiar school-boy game of
shiny" The players are provided with
stout sticks about four feet in length, the
ends of which are slightly curved. An
ordinary rubber ball is used. Only two
teams can contest at the same time. Each
team is composed of seven men, designated
as follows: one goai-keeper, two hackers,
one point-coyerer, one goal coveTer, and
two rushers. Like baseball, it is played
on a diamond marked off on the floor or
field. Two goals are placed opposite each
other, each occupying corner of the dia-
mond. One of these belongs to each team.
To win, one team must manage to get the
bail into the opposing teams goal.
But the best description of the game is
probably contained in the rules which
govern it. They are as follows:
Only one person shall tend goal at a time.
There shall be referee, chosen by the cap
tains, two judges for each side, and time
keeper. A judge from each side shall stand
behind each goal No persons but the players,
referee and judges shall be permitted on the
surface during the match, unless assistance is
to be rendered in case of accident The referee
shall start and call the game, and settle all
disputed points. Judges at each goal shall de-
termine when goal is Won except in case OF a
disagreement between them, and then the
referee may determine the matter
To start the game, the ball shall be placed at
the middle of straight line drawn through
the center of each goal, and at the whistle of
the referee shall be charged upon by player
from each team.
A goal is won by the passage of the ball from
the front between the goal stands and under the
rail-
If the ball go out of bounds. the referee
shall blow his whistle to call game, and place
the ball at the point opposite where it went out,
at least four feet from the rail. In recommend
ing play, the players who do so must stand in
position to knock the ball lengthwise of the
surface, with their backs towards the sides
The referee shall toss for the positions of
teams in presence of the Captains, and the posi-
tons shall be reversed after each goal.
The teams shall be stationed as follows: Four
from each team playing on the opposite side
from their own team, so as to assist their team
in placing the ball through their opponents
goal
Rushers only are allowed the use of the en-
tire fioor-other players must not play across
the center line; but all players eau play outside
of the diamond.
1t shall be deemed a FOUL Ill any player
stop or strike the ball when any part of his
person is touching the surface; 2-If any player
catch or bat the ball with his hands or arms;
3-lf any player save the goal tend, who may
do so, kick the ball with his foot or skate,
though he may stop the ball with either; 4-If
any player strikes down the stick of his oppo-
nent, or if any player strike or trip another in
tentionally, or if any player throw his stick at
the ball or in the pathway of player.
In case of an injury to any player substitute
haa Tod