Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1891-03-15


done all the harm. They wanted to 90 abroad
as Philadelphiaps only, but to have the prestige
and honor of representing the United States.
A desire of this kind deserves to be snubbed.
The Amateur Prospects.
While have been referring to the preceding
subjects have been reminded of amateur
prospects generally. During the last few days
there have appeared many indications which
would lead us to believe that 1891 will be busy
year for amateurs. Generally speaking. there
will be more contests. as the membership of
the A. A. U. is increasing rapidly and more
dates are being claimed than ever. This means
that we will have more contestants this year
than ever before and it therefore will be more
probable TO find s''wonder." While am not
at all inclined to think that the sprinting per-
formance of Mr.. Owen will be eQualed, still
will noe be surprised if it is. Both the quantity
and quality of amateurs are improving. and
there is no telling what will be done. But am
more inclined to believe that records of dis
tances ranging from 200 yards to half a mile
will be equaled or broken than am inclined to
think that Mr.. Owens mark will be reached.
1 have ALWAYS held the opinion, and I
the best foot races to witness is
that of 800 yards. OF course it is a hard race
to run, but the truth is that amateurs who are
in ths business" for their healths sake or for
their love of it should have more races of 800
yards than they have. have known many
good old timers who were never so delighted as
l
tend at present to explain in detail why think
SO we'll of the distance for foot race, but
people who have done any running themselves,
or who know anything about the physical
benefits OF running. will know quite well that
there is a great deal to be said in favor OF
race of 800 yards. Well, trust that the anna
teurs throughout the country VIII give US more
of this race this year than we had last year or
any previous year 1t certainly is one OF the
best races there is to look at and it will test the
runners.
Plans of Local Athletes.
But while we are discussing referring to
the general outlook of the amateurs we must
not forget that we will have quite busy season
at home here if all goes well. Now that the
Allegheny Athletic Association has been fully
admitted to membership OF the A. A. U. the
former will from now on be I'd and be doing.
Since tine admission to which L have just re-
ferred scores of new members have Joined the
local association and that indeed augurs well
for the future. ] expect that the directors of
the association will start at once 10 formulate
plans for the season, and l am informed that
these plans will embrace three field meetings,
that is, one in the spring, another II the sum-
mer and fall meeting. The summer meeting
ought certainly TO be a big affair and will be
surprised if we have not the champions visiting
us then. OF course it would hardly be fair to
expect Pittsburgers to do much in athletic con-
tests this year. For some time past everybody
and everything has been ION the Shelf" and it
will certainly require year % or two to TO- get
am very glad indeed, to know that the local
prospects are so bright and that the future OF
the new amateur association is SO roseate look
ing. L am also informed that the work of
forming the baseball team in connection with
the association is progressing exceedingly WELL
and that there will be a very strong team here.
Some good rowers will also be connected with
the association before the year closes. This re-
minds me that il seems strange the directors of
the association do not induce John Martin to
join their organization: AS an amateur sculler
he really is credit to Pittsburg, and certainly
would be an honor to the association. I have
always looked upon Mr.. Martin as the best
amateur sculler in Western Pennsylvania, and
he would be great benefit to the new organi- |
cation. Bnt while speaking of the amateurs.
q few words of regret must be spoken |
the resolve OF Alexander Macpher- |
son to leave the city next month. 1 am
sure that the many hundreds of Pittsburgers |
who during recent years have taken an interest |
in amateur sports will deeply regret that we are
about to lose SO valuable man, and at al |
times such perfect gentleman. am sure that |
have never known man who was moro ener- |
getic and more enthusiastic in the propotion of |
amateur sports than Mr.. Macpherson, or |
'Mac," we fa.nillarly name him. But not |
only was he one of the most enthusiastic box |
ers but we all know of his very great abilities |
Is cricketer and football player. Mac will be |
missed; we can depend upon that. heartily |
wish him godspsed in his new undertaking in |
Chicago.
The Dog Show.
Well, the great dog show has come and gone
md those who saw il will not forget it very
eadily. Generally speaking it was o good
how, but as might be expected there were
ONE defects about it. Some Of the classes
we're very very 'seedy," and because of that
{ was well that such famous kennels as those
# Mr.. Moore, MIR. Sears and MIR. Washington
we're on hand. But taking everything into con-
iideration the show was SO much of a success
hat we Will certainly have another next year.
The experience of the late show ought to en-
Lble the promoters to make even a better one
lext time. Certainly It is to be expected that
nore of the leading kennels will be induced to
compete than there did last week. And there
5 another important feature that should not
,e lost sight of, VIZ: better accommodations for
he public. On Wednesday there was no sys-
em at all in operation to manage the crowd,
nd hundreds of people were exceedingly glad
Vhen they got out of the crush and into the
pen air. AT times il was simply pandemo-
ium because of people being all jammed up.
Dc course there wasn't too much room to spare,
nut certainly the going to and fro of the visit
rs could have been regulated by the manage
nent in way that would have materially
dded TO the comfort OF all.
About the Pugilists.
Altogether matters have been little livelier
han usual among the pugilists during the
7eek Beside the usual amount of talking
here has been a contest or two worthy of note.
iy remarks about the contests shall be made
resently What want to deal with now is the
forts being made to secure an opponent for
i'm Hall. the Australian. l will refer to this
[ some length, because the present desire of
be California Club and also of Hall and his
acker is to secure an engagement with Pat
farrell, Of this city. day OF two ago re-
eived Telegram from President Fulda, of the
california Athletic Club. asking me the lowest
weight at which Farrell could fight Hall. re-
lied l56 pounds, and it is therefore reasonable
o think that purse will be offered by the club
n question for battle between Hall and Far
ell. But before further discuss this matter,
might be well to explain who Hall Is and
THAT he has done.
Something About Hall
Jim Hall looks less like fighter than Fitz
oes, but he is taller and has fully as great q
each. He was born in Sydney, N. s. w., July
2, 1868, and was given his first lessons in box
ng by Billy MCCARTHY. He proved an apt
upil. and when he was Is years old he began
PAIRING il public. AT this time he was a six
Ooter, but since then he has grown two inches,
nd he now asserts that he can fight at l54
ounds. His first fight was with George White,
nd he won it in seven rounds. Subsequently
q defeated Jack Slavin. Franks brother, in |
tx rounds; Jack Maloy. in SIX rounds; Jim
olan, in six rounds; Peter Bolan, in lS rounds;
herbert Goddard, twice, in four rounds; "Tut'
.yan, in eight rounds, Quincy Mace in five |
Ounds; "Starlight," in SIX rounds and Dan
sn fva- Ha |