Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-09-07

THE p
grounds may be l think our local
tennis clubs are little behind those in En-
gland and other places in one respect. On
scorching hot day there ought always to be
opportunity on the grounds for visitors to
get refreshments. The surroundings Will
look all the better for it. Well, there were
many ENJOYABLE features in the tournament.
OF course lawn tennis hasn't charms for
everybody, and am free to confess that it
is possible for me to admire it exceedingly
much more than do. But don't think
that anybody will deny that it has many e1-
cellent qualities. 1t is. indeed, not so
simple as it looks, and to be a good lawn
tennis player is to be very skIllful man
with accurate calculative faculties, to have
plenty of strength and activity, and above
all, to have lots of patience. Tennis affords
opportunities for the development of all
these faculties, and surely a sport OF that
kind is sure to receive patronage. The
playing at Sewickley was very good and the
interest shown in the contests indicate that
next year we may have tournaments here on
a very large scale. Like many others was
much interested in the playing of Mr..
Moorhead who did so we'll at News
port. He, however, was scarcely seen
at his best. He is very skillful and grace
fui player. But have much faith in the
abilities Of Mr.. Christy. believe he would
like to win set with one smash. He is one
of the most vigorous tennis players that one
can see but am fully persuaded that he
handicaps himself considerably by being too
impatient and fretful. In vulgar parlance he
is too apt to get 'rattled." II he would tone his
temper he would accomplish more and that
means that he would hold his own against
any local man. There were many promis-
ing young players in the tournament and
probably one of the most notable in this
class was T. E. Ewing, Jr. With steady
practice Mr.. Ewing ought to occupy a
prominent position in the State next year as
a tennis player. Altogether the tourna-
ment prompts me to expect that next year
we shall have some very important tennis
contests in and about Pittsburg. 1t is
bound to increase in popularity here Just as
it has done at other places in the United
States and in Europe:
A Plea for HnndbaII.
During the week l have had general in
quiries as to whether or not handball court
will be arranged in Exposition Park dur
ing the fall and winter. There is grow
ing desire to have a court established, and
if mistake not Manager Hanlon, Of the
local P. L. club, is strong advocate for
the erectionNof a suitable court. One could
be erected at very little cost, and those
wanted to use it could be charged small
sum per game or certain fee per month.
Last winter had few words to say in be-
half of handball, and I don't intend ito re-
peat them now, but do say that nothing
could be lost by erecting a suitable hand
ball court. have an idea that it would be
well patronized during the cold days of
winter, not only by Ball players, but by |
other citizens who believe in good healthy |
physical exercise. Even if the court did |
not yield profit, its worth would be re-
allied in giving ball players an opportunity
to keep themselves in condition. 1t might |
be well for the directors of the local P. L. |
club to discuss this matter when next they |
meet. 1 know that more than one director |
is in favor of erecting court.
**x |
A Signal of Distress.
An unmistakable sign Of the depressed
condition that baseball has come to is found |
in the bankruptcy of the Athletic club of
the American Association. 1t is club that
has been made venerable by years, and
every baseball lover cannot but have feel
ings of regret at the unfortunate condition
OF the club. OF course it is the result of
the row that has been going on which has
the minds of the public from the
game. The Players League, too, dealt the
club powerful blow by inducing some of
its best players to desert the club. The EN-
of the club point unerringly
to the fact that all this humbug that players
and others have perpetrated on the public
will recoil on the players themselves. Just as
sure as we live they, I mean players gener-
ally, will be the sufferers in the long run.
Already the importance OF a baseball player
is on the wane. Not long ago the average
player was iInbued with the notion that his ex-
istence was of greater necessity to the nation
than the man who produces the necessaries
oi life; in fact the idea prevailed among
ball players that the public might well
the ravages of hunger but it Ger
tainly could not do without pro tessional
baseball players. A reaction is setting in;
has set in and players have only themselves
to blame for it. Already the public, including
the street arabs, seem to see a great deal OF
The ordinary human being in the ball player.
xx
Brulsers in the Theaters.
Judging from an item of news which ap.
oeared In the paper yesterday, we will not
nave any any leading pugilists during the
winter to defend the prestige of the country.
Dur champion bruisers are all going into
he "acting" business, and we may expect to
ind quite revolution in theatrical methods
before many moons come and 90. 1t may
De that the 1rvings, Booths and Barretts
will have to stand down and out for these
lugging tragedians and fistic comedians
such names as Jake Kilrain, Jack Ashton,
Toe Lannon, Peter Jackson and Jim Cor
,ett are sure to add great luster to ths pro-
ession that has had in its ranks Forrest, a
Kean, a McCready, Garrick and others.
Time does indeed work wonderful changes
md such events as the appearance of this
Druising element in theaters almost con-
Yinces US that there is nothing at all Uto-
,ian in Looking Backward" I had
hought that certain amount OF inteIli-
renee and training were necessary to make
IN actor presentable, but here we have not
,nly actors, but stars blocked out in whole
ale fashion. Well, well, after all truth, is
tanger than fiction.
&$<
Prospective Battles.
An extraordinary amount of effort is being
made to drum up an enthusiasm regarding
he proposed fight between Slavin and Nc
Auliffe. The object is, of course, to make
money. The Armonde Club is giving the
purse, but the Armonde Club is run BY
,ronrietor Who nrofits hv the receints His |