The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1891-03-29
HAND-BALL.
Games Announced to Be Played To-
Day

Games Announced to Be Played To-
Day.
Twelve years ago Philadelphia was the
hand-ball center Of the country. New York
City and Brooklyn laid claim to the clever
est experts, but the craze became so great
in Philadelphia that seven finely appointed
courts were in full bloom at one time. This
continued for a couple of years, when poor
management of the courts caused all inter
est 10 be lost in the game. Attempts have
been made recently toward revival, with
prospects of success. A new club, called
the Amity, has been organized with men,
bership of fifty. The veteran court at 9l3
Carpenter street, the scene Of many mpOr-
tant hand-ball struggles, .wlll be used by the
cfb. =. j. O'Brien, one of the leaders OF
the new orgauizati. n, has written to Cham
pion Casey of Brooklyn to the effect that
the Anity Club viii play the Brooklyn Club
q home and home match, within any rta-
sUuabie time. The PhladelphianS, how
ever, make the provision that tile playing
must be between amateurs
1t has Just leaked out that the playing
abilities Of James Dunno Jr. of Brooklyn
have been closely watched by certain
number of New \ Ork experts and their
friends. The reason Is very plain. They
were eager to match Eddie Sweeney against
the clever young BTOokIynite, and wanted to
make the stakes 500 Il side. Jimmie, who
is strictly an amateur. and plays the game
simply tor recreation, received a letter IN
curing whether lie was prepared TO make
such a match. He turned the letter over to
his father eX-Aldeman James Dunno, who
knows as much about hand-ball rs any man
living. and this was the substance OF the re-
ply sent by the elder Dunno: Is, lie Will
play Eddie Sweeney, not for 500 but $500 a
side, and the games must be played in
Casey's court. If these terms are accept
able. notify me. l will be prepared to sign
articles at once" This was cllncher, and
the New Workers have been as dumb as
oysters on the subject ever since.
What has been known for ten years as the
Murray Hill hand-ball and racquet court,
located on Thirty fifth street, near Third
avenue, New York, was closed permanently
few days ago. thai Is Us Tar as the late lessee,
Edward Sweeney. IS concerned. 1t was the
only court where New Workers had an OPP
pOrtunity to play the old irish game, and
although its existence was rather brief the
reputation Of the court extended TO every
place where hand-bal has foothold. 1t
was IN Sweeney court that suCn players as
the IS anlaTd," Barrett, GilhuOly, ROrty
and Bergen were developed. The reason
which prompted Sweeney To close up shop
was the demand for further increase of an
exorbitant rent, which he had been paying
for a number of years.
Ii the weather should prove favorable
this afternoon the patrons of hand-ball will
be treated to some good sport at the Union
Court on Howard street. The event of the
day will be "a contest. best three in five
games, between NJ. Farrell and Feter Hutch
insOn for $3.50 a side. Manager Armstrong
has been appointe d stakeholder and umpire.
The championship games between Kelly
and O'Donneil against two of the San Fran
cisco Clubs representatives cannot fail to
attract considerable attention, as the players
are rated as being thorough masters OF the
game. The ball which champion Casey used
in some of his great matches against the
Irish champions has been recovered, and
will be- tried for the first time this afternoon.
1t Is rumored that Barney McQuade, New
York's old champion. talks seriously of
building a court III Harlem. If the report
is true 1t will be good news To the admirers
of the game in New York City, as the vet
eran player will undoubtedly present a
court that will be model in erection and
amendments