Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-02-16

Of the new baseball grounds at Exposition Park
will be the new handball court Manager Han
Ion tells me that q good sized court is to be
built and will be ready for use shortly. Of
course it is for the use of the players of the
ball club particularly, but sincerely trust that
arrangements will be made by which the epublic
can use it when the players are not exercising
in it. A handball court would be blessing to
the youths and young men of the two cities, for
of all the exercises having for their objects the
development of the human frame am inclined
TO prefer handball. l may be something of
'crank" on this particular game, for many
weary and pleasant day have had with it. but
1 don't think that anybody will for a moment
attempt to argue that it is not one of the best
methods of physical exercise. Every point and
muscle in ones body is brought into play in
handbal game. and there is nothing better for
training the eye. Certainly the game is not for
lazy people, but an enthusiast OF willing work
er can get all the exercise he wants in running,
bending the body to and fro, swinging the arms
and developing the muscles by hitting the ball.
The idea of training the players in handoaH
court is a good one. But what l want
is what l have just stated above-the public
10 have the privilege OF sharing in some way
think that the game would soon become popu-
lar here. There are many English handball
players in the neighborhood, but, generally
speaking. they have been accustomed to play
with an India rubber ball with a stamped hole
in. The American custom is to ball with
soliu ball. but this difference would soon right
itself. The great difficulty has always been to
get court l know of several matches that
have fallen through because of the inability of
the contestants TO secure a court or suitable
corner end. The management of the new club
is. indeed, doing well to erect court and all
that is needed is to devise some means by
which it can be used by the public at cost
that will enable all who want to indulge in the
game to use the court. Most certainly the
players viii find the benefit of it.
jackson is Vetoed.
c. E. Davies, manager of Peter jackson. the
colored boxer, is anxious TO exhibit his charge
in this city but the powers that be" are op-
posed to any such demoralizing affair as a spar
ring exhibition with six ounce gloves. As re-
suit we PittsburSers will not see the pros
peetive opponent of John L. Sullivan except
we leave the city to do so. The intention of
Mr. Davies was to bring an athletic combina-
tion here and give an entertainment during
which Jackson and Ashton would give box
ing exhibition of four rounds. Why an enter
tainmenI of this kind should be prevented
fail to see. would. indeed, like to hear or
see some reasonable arguments in favor OF the
veto. am aware that an utter misconcepuon
OF what professional boxing exhibition is has
prompted many civil authorities to prevent all
such entertainments. Now make this definite
statement and am prepared to argue that 1t is
true there is rougher boxing and harder hitting
among the policemen in their weekly sparring
exercises than will be seen in an exhibition be-
tween jackson and Ashton. There are thous-
ands of people in this vicinity who would like
to see the big Australian, The entertainment
promoted by Mr.. Davies is being permitted in
other cities and certainly the moral status of
residents as the moral status of PittsOurg is to
its citizens. At best it would seem to be run
nlng things little too fine to prevent an ath-
letic entertainment such as is desired