Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1892-04-14

ing Health and Pleasure for Either SEX
and for Every Varied whim and Fancy
That Humanity Can Demand.
These occasional bright warm DAYS turn
the minds of the athletic generation to
out.of.door sports and exercise.
Not one of the athletic clubs of which
Wilmington. seems properly proud dates
further back than 1882. What did the
lawyers, students and clerks do, prior to the
organization of the present clubs to counter.
act the physically contracting influences
of their various occupations? They form
to-day the most active element in the Field
Club, in every department. Last year S
football team was often referred to as the
lawyers" The successful cricket eleven
included seven lawyers and May term
superior court interfered considerably in
its work.
They are the main support of all the
games and they take them up for the sake
of the exercise they afford rather than the
sport. This condition adds largely to the
social enjoyment of the games, but
has its effect upon the standard of eff
flciency, and embarrasses the captains of
the teams in getting successful results.
Possibly the ultimate gain is with the
club AS the win-at-any-cost spirit suggests
many temptations towards methods that
have proved u reproach to many clubs
and would lower the standard to which
the Field Club attaches itself.
For the approaching season cricket, base
ball, tennis and football are in the hands
of carefully selected and efficient commit
tees and good progress has already been
made toward making the season an as
sured success.
All home cricket matches and tennis
tournaments will be ut the Elsmere
ground. No admission is charged except
when it becomes necessary to distinguish
the rights of club members.
Baseball and football matches will be
played at one of the in town enclosures
and because of the guarantees and other
expenses of these matches admission will
be charged. IL is not expected that these
games will do more than support them
selves but should there be surplus it will
he applied to ground improvements. On
the other hand the club treasury may not
be drawn on to supply any deficiency
This possible contingency will be provided
for in the following manner: The number
OF games being fixed and the probable cost
agreed on the club members will be can
vassed to subscribe to one ticket, or more,
tor each game and as moderate sale only
is necessary no trouble is anticipated in
placing the necessary number of tickets.
These tickets will admit to ground and
grand stand at less cost than ordinary
tickets and if not used will be redeemed
from the first proceeds over expenses.
Both football and baseball are popular
games and deficiencies are not expected
but it is thought best to so provide for
them.
LADIES ORGANIZATION.
The ladies' associate organization expects
an active season. Their dav has not been
definitely fixed, but the popular teas will
be given each week instead of the irregu-
lar dates Of last year. Croquet will be
resurrectcd, and as it has become once
more fashionable it will prove one of the
attractions to the ladies.
The Field Club owes to the ladies' or
ganisation almost the entire credit for
having produced among all visiting tennis
men and cricketers the impression, not SO
well known at home as abroad that Will
mington is one of the most huspitable
places in the country. Il has that reputa-
tion and intends not to drop it.
Joseph I. Turton will have charge of the
grounds. 1t was under Mr.. Turton's ad-
minlstration that the Old grounds reached
the state of perfection which made them
noted among tennis experts.
The conditions at Elsmere grounds are
favorable for the same kind Of triumph,
but being about three times is large as the
old grounds the groundsman must be
given more time.
THE MINSTREL SHOW.
Each winter finds the Field Club mem
bers uneasy and restless, their enthusiasm
and energy damned up, so to speak, by the
inertia of eight or nine months inactivity.
This supcriluous spirit has found vent
almost every season in some entertainment
or show which besides proving necessary
outlet Tor spare energy has also proved
profitable. The first entertainments was
''Pepita," an operetta. There have been
two minstrel entertainments and several
trGmas since. This year the committee
Will offer a minstrel entertainment in
the early part of May which will in
cllldc the Grace Church orchestra, the
new banjo club and the star male quar-
tette of the city. All these besides the
bright young lawyers, the students and
The business men of the club, the end men
and chair warmers, are willing to shine as
although so very modest as
or tennis players. Is it that they
are so thoroughly disguised that they can
without timidity let loose their animal
spirits or is it that in this sphere they are
unknown, or is there touch of human
nature in the portrayal of the old planta-
ion ncgro's pcculiarities aud the sweetness
If his melodies that induces the men to
DC the cause the club has always given a
good entertainment and does not feel that
: has ever aiken much advantage of its
friends in coming before them as min
'trels or songsters or as Thespians. The
)lans of the various committees as far as
follow:
DAsE-BALL.
Probably for the first time since the or |
,anization of the club the devotees of the |
iational game among the club members |
will have full opportunities for its enjoy |
nent.
Spasmodic efforts have been made at the
,eglnning OF almost every season, but not |
lntil this year were the three greatest diff
ienlties arranged for. First, batteries. The
york and strain of pitching through nine
innings is too much for amateurs and ii IS
10 wonder that no one in the club was
Wiling to undertake it. The committee
las secured semi-professional pitcher.
econd, the financial responsibility. No
ysstem has ever been applied to overcome
his obstruction until the plan detailed
bove was adopted. Third, lack of accom-
nodations at the grounds for spectators.
IN account of this the games will be
laycd either at Front and Union or at
,iverview.
A number Of games are already sched-
led. Fuller information will be pub
shed from time to time.
TENNIS.
The first work of the groundsman will
c to prepare the Part of the grounds fur
nest removed from baseball and cricket
)r tennis courts.
The ground committee intend to erect a
ght wire fence d.viding these courts from
he cric..et field and base ball diamond and
accidentally provide back nets for the
ouEts. Tennis can therefore be played at
Il times.
The tennis committee announce the fol-
wing plans for the season: During the
,ring and early summer there will be
inning handicap tournament similar to
m oue rnapaond h,y 1;lob,,o,, Ioh,a.-.- |