Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1890-07-24
WATER POLO.
A New Game introduced - The
Players and their Tasks.


A new sport, combining genuine re-
creation with picturesque athletic DIS
play. is a thing to be hailed with delight,
saws a New York letter to the San Fran
cisco Chronicle. If in addition to these
advantages it is one peculiarly suited to
the season, and with so few limitations
that it can be played almost anywhere,
its popularity is foregone conclusion.
Such a sport is water polo, which was
played for the first time in this country
only few weeks ago, and the honor OF
its introduction to the list of American
pastimes belongs to Rhode Island. 1t Is
imported from England, but even there
it has beeu introduced only very lately.
Polo on horseback and polo on skates
have been followed by polo in the water,
and the aquatic method proves to be not
only the safest, but the most interesting
of the three. 1t will not be surprising
if it should become feature OF the gay
and fashionable summer existence at
Newport, Narragansett, Cape May, AT
lantic City and other resorts.
To play polo on the water, it is essen
tial that the participants in the game
should all be capable swimmers, entirely
at ease in water of depth varying from
three to eight feet, and able to dive and
stay under for moment, if need be.
Two goals are erected in the water
foot above the water mark. The goal Is
merely piece of black cloth, about three
feet long and two feet deep, fastened at
the top. but hanging loose at the bottom,
SO that rubber ball, which is about the
same size as football, may be pushed
between il in making goal. At each
goal stands judge, and referee is sta
toned on one side near the entree, where
he commands a good view OF all the
players
There are generally six players on each
side, and the object is to place the ball
in the opposite goal, but it must be
placed in to count goal, throwing it In
being counted as foul. The duration OF
the play depends on whether the goal has
been made. If at the expiration of ten
minutes no goal has been made, time"
is called. After a rest Of i've minutes
the rubber is thrown out by the referee,
which is a signal for the players to get
ready; then a whistle is blown and there
is an almost simultaneous plunge by both
teams for the ball., e
The positions taken in match-gam
are somewhat similar to those in football.
1t is sort of football played with the
hands. There is the same kind Of on
slaught for the capture Of the ball, and
it is kept in motion by the members OF
one side passing it from one to another.
Some very ludicrous and laughable scenes
sometimes take place. Two men will
clutch for the ball at the same time, and
both will disappear, and on their re-
appearance the one with the ball VIII
J find on reaching the surface two or three
| of his opponents in waiting for him, who
pounce upon and sink him out of sight.
In moment, probably, all but the
! goal-tenders are in the middle of the
tank, and all that can be seen is con-
fused mass of arms and legs, but the
keen-eyed captains of the teams have got
their wits about them, and a sign or an
expression will cause two OF three Of the
I players to gradually near the opponents
/ goal. The goal tenders fun then COM
mences. He makes rush for the ball,
| but the adroit " rubberistn passes it to
another of his team, and if his opponents
have not come to the assistance of their
tender captures the goal.
The difficulty of making goal can
only be understood by actual practice.
One hand must be on the ball when it is
played in the goal, and in deep water
this is rather difficult feat, with some
body on the players back trying to force
him under water, but he depends on his
friends to keep him out of such di-
lemma They may not come up to his
expectations, and in a second the aspect
of the game is changed and the ball is at
the other end of the tank. There are
now five clubs in the East.