Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-07-27
ROWING At HENLEY.
The Royal Regatta Was a Very In
teresting Affair, Even Though,
America Got Worsted.
OUR CHAMPION WAS OUTCLASSED.
It Takes Q Geod Deal of Nerve to Back Up
the Baseball Enterprise in England
and Keep it Going.
OUR CHAMPION WAS OUTCLASSRD.
A LINE DRAWN ON PROFESSIONALS.
MeAulihs and savin Will Probably Meet and the
Australian Will be Beaten.
rBox A STAFF CORRESPONDENT ]

world has been the royal regatta at Henley.
1t is q great affair, and is undoubtedly the
queen of regattas. 1t is patronized BY roy
atty, and that means that all the leading
aristocrats also bestow their patronage on it,
I am not going to descant on the beauties OF
Henley-on-Thames, as there is not space for
that. There are more important features to
deal with, and in dealing with this great re-
gstts expect that DISPATCH readers will
observe that am covering lots of territory
so as to have better knowledge on sport
ing matters generally. To an American
visitor there were two unfortunate features
at Henley during the three days racing.
c. G. Psotta, the American amateur cham
pion, was defeated, and ra in fell every day.
However, the racing was excellent, but 1
intend to deal only with that part of it in
which Americans were directly interested.
Our champion was outclassed-that's all
there was in it His power was not as great
as that of three others and his style was not
so good. But he immortalized himself bv
an act of q sportsman that has won the en-
comiums OF all the press in England. BE
was contestant for the diamond scull and
met G. E. B. Kennedy in the first heats.
They made q good start but after rowing
about eight strokes Mr. Kennedy caught
crab and fell out of his boat. Mr.. Psotta at
once stopped and permitted Mr.. Kennedy
to 20 ashore, get dry fannels on and start
sfresh. This was, indeed, a noble act, and
was cheered, as Mr.. Psotta could have
rowed over and claimed the heat. He is to
be presented with a testimonial for his gem
erous act. Well, be was fairly outrowed by
Mr.. Kennedy who is a very accomplished
sculler. He has much better reach than
Mr.. Psotta and pulls his sculls through the
water in q much cleaner fashion. The
American displayed jerky style and after
about half mile had been cleared he was
beaten. he didn't seem to be in his best
form. That Mr.. Psotta is not fast enough for
the English amateur champions 1 am free to
confess, and it is safe to say that three at least
can defeat him. Messrs. Kennedy, Gardener
and Nichalls. the English champion, are all
better rowers than Mr.. Psotta. The heat be-
tween Gardener and Nichalls was one of the
most exciting ever seen. The champion Just
won oy short half length. and there was never
more than that distance between them during
the race. MIR. Kennedy met the champion in
the hnal heat and made good race. He was
outrowed. however. There is a good standard
of rowing among the English amateurs and
don't hesitate to say that the standard is little
higher than any other amateur standard In the
world: Ii Mr.. Psotta and one or two other
american amateurs would get down to
thoroughly American style of rowing they NAV
come out victorious next year.
AbOut the Tennis Players,
1t may be that many patrons Of lawn tennis
who read The DISPATCH will be desirous of
knowing how that class of outdoor snort or
recreation is going in England. More than
once have written a few opinions regarding
lawn tennis in America, and think pointed
out that every season it was becoming more
popular among Americans. If we conclude
that lawn tennis is growing in popularity in the
United States don't know what we NAV
esy about it among the Britishers Popular
seems too mild term for it here, because it is
difficult to note an outdoor sport growing in
public favor as lawn tennis is in England
Public" may be too comprehensive word, be-
cause the sport is confined to certain classes
that are, or at least deem themselves above
the commonality Of mankind. In short,
lawn tennis is society affair, and /
nave not seen it played here in what
We would call the lower walks of
life. But tennis players in England are num-
erous. indeed. There are big events. either
national OF international every day and there
are some good players. OF course in referring
to good players am mindful of the fact that
Pettitt, our American champion defeated the |
English champion few days ago SO that not |
wIthstanding the rage of the game here the |
United States has the best player in the world. |
stu, generally speaking, the English are ahead |
OF us In lawn tennis, that is where there is one |
contest in the United States there are a half a |
dozen here. An English lawn tennis tourpa |
nent is wen worth seeing, not only because of
the good quality of the playing. but because
OF the very interesting and entertaining sur
roundings. The people who patronize lawn
tennis in England have an excellent notion of
comfort and luXuries. Contestants and spec-
tators have good time of il, indeed. and this
feature, 1 think, contributes greatly to the
popularity of the game. Every section of a /
large city has its lawn tennis club and in many
cases the female membership is about equal to
the male membership. There are contests
twice or thrice week, and it is a pleasure to
attend these contests.
II tnere is SO minutes of playing depend
upon 1t there is also about 80 minutes of tea
drinking and conversation. The game is not
permitted as rule, to thoroughly exhaust any
oI the contestants The large number of
young ladies who participate in the game also
'ustains its popularity among the classes that
lake an interest in il. Young ladies of the
most fashionable families in the land are
we'll, indeed. A few days ago saw few sets
played by ladies and in my way of thinking
'ome Of these fair competitors could make
matters very lively for the best male players in
Pittsburg. Altogether the game has taken
Tery strong hold in England, and every wear
,he number OF players is getting larger. When
say this don't mean that the professionals
IRE becoming more numerous 1t is not looked
who patronize it are generally well supplied
With this worlds goods. But the amateur
,ompetltors are increasing fast. 1 may add
nat the Br1t1shers were extremely disappointed
Ehen Pettitt defeated Saunders and Others for
be worlds championship. The victory GER
ainly proves the American is great player.
Sill Somewhat DiscouraRiug.
In this letter did not intend saying anything
bout English baseball but have changed my
mind in consequence of letter or two l have
eceived from some of my American acauaint-
noes. One Of them, particularly, asks me
that are the prospects Of the game in England
nd if it would be safe for a few young Ameri-
an players to come here. am not at all op-
'osed to answering questions of this kind, but
D doing 80 1 desire to be entirely freed of all
as to results. Whatever l may
ay on the matter is only my personal opinion,
nd of course my opinion may be wrong 1 don't
or one moment definitely advise young ball
layers to leave America for England, nor do
efinitely advise them not to do SO. They must
ct to know the facts of the case and then form
heir own opinions. But were / a young base
all player In the United States Just now and
new as much about English baseball and pros
ects as 1 do now certainly should remain IN
be United States. really cannot see how |
aseball is to become popular here. 1 said
bis last week. but repeat it. The fact is the |
,nglish people are not being treated to base.
all contests but are having slight imitation
the game. I don't say this in any spirit of
regarding those who are partic- |
Dating in the game. They are doing WELL and |
ome of them are doing remarkably well; but it
Tould be unreasonable 10 expect them to give
nything like a hrst-class exhibition of ball
laying. Many of them have only been learn
lg the game few weeks and the imported
layers were not selected because of their play
lg abilities. But repeat that under the cir {
uInEtano0f done lO0e0u |