The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1890-07-07
POLO IN THE WATER.
Two Teams Organized In Helena to Play 1
the Broa0wator.

Two Teams Organized in Helena to Play 1t
the BroAdwAter.
A new sport, combining genuine recrea-
tion with picturesque athletic display, 10
thing to be hailed with delight. such a
sport is water polo. which was played for
the first time in this country only a few
weeks ago in Providence, Rhode Island.
Like many other sports popular with
Americans, it is adopted from the English
game, but even there It has been introduced
only very lately. Polo on horseback and
polo ON skates have been in vogue for some
time, and are now followed by polo in the
water, and the Aquatic method proves to
be not only the safest but the most inter
esting of the three. To play polo in the
water it ia essential that the participants in
the game should all be capable swimmers. !.
is as as follows: The goals are erected, one
at each end of the bath, q foot above water
mark. The goal il 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 the rubber ball,
which is about the same size and make as q
foot ball, may BE- pushed between it in max
ing the goal. At each goal stands a Judge
and the referee ID stationed on one side
near the center, where he commands good
view of all the players. There are general
y six players on each side, and the object is
it must be placed in TO count a goal, throw
ing in being counted az foul. The dura-
ton of the play depends on whether goal
has been made. If, at the expiration
of ten minutes no goal has been
made, time is called. After
out by the referee, which is the signal for
the players to get ready. The whistle blows,
and there is an almost simultaneous plunge
by both teams for the ball. The players
distribute themselves ever she tank. accord
ing to directions of the captain, who Rener
ally deputies each man to watch q certain
opponent. The actual playing time is rare
~ more than twenty minutes, divided into
ten minutes each, with five minutes rest
between, the club having made the greatest
number Of goals at the end of the play be-
ing declared the winners. Immediately
after goal is made, the whistle is blown,
and the ball thrown to the referee, who,
when all are ready, throws the ball into the
center of the tank and then the game be-
gins. o. course, in the event of tie, an
other twenty minutes play can be ordered
by the referee.
The water poloist must be amphibious.
He is liable at any moment, and when least
suspecting it, to be jumped on and sent be-
low for short while, or till some Of his side
can come to his assistance; and If he hap
pens to be the holder of the rubber he may
have three or four on him. Bub, like por-
poises, they have to come up and get a
breath of fresh air and then disappear
again, the other men looking on, waiting
developments or word or sign from their
respective captains, when the odds are per-
haps reversed.
Professor Mowry, of the Broadwater nat
atorium, has organized two water polo
teams from among some of Helena's best
swimmers. They will hold meeting Tues
day morning at the natatorium to arrange
for several contests. Three or four more
good swimmers are needed to complete the
teams. The games of the teams promise to
be very interesting sport.