Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1892-12-25

that may belong to their respective clubs.
The annual contests OF the A. A. u, which
by the way are to be held in Philadelphia this
season, offer fine field for young talent,
but it is fact that Pittsburg will not be
strongly represented, if at ALL This ought
not to be, because there is material in this
city that is just as promising in some re-
spects as any young athletic material in the
country. Take boxing for instance. There
are not in any CITY more promising amateur
boxers than the brothers Fleming. Why
local clubs do not force these two already
very good performers to the front seems
strange. 1t is safe TO say that there will be
worse boxers at Philadelphia than the
younger Fleming.
What is evidently needed is more indoor
contests here and on larger scale than
heretofore attempted. 1t may also not be
OUT of place to suggest that it would pay the
clubs to get hold OF one or two real and in
telligent boxing instructors.
OF course the above is stated mindful Of
the fact that the P. A. c. intends to send
probably three entries to the A. A. q. COM
/ petitions But there ought to be more than
! three entries from this city. The Three A. 8
| NAV send their wrestler, Elliott, who, by
the way, is good one. In instances of this
kind young clubs should not be afraid OF
defeat.
During the week Just ended there has
been more or less talk concerning the base
ball team of the P A. C. next season. Some
people have been arguing that the team
ought to be independent and an amateur
organization in fact. Others have been
claiming that the team should rs usual
remain in the County League. Much can
be said ON both sides.
-
A prominent member of the P A. c.,
speaking on the foregoing the other day,
said: II am an out and out supporter OF the
notion OF having an independent baseball
team next season. 1 maintain that an in
dependent team will make more money than
being in the Coun ty League. II our team
remains independ ent we can make dates
with some of the best amateur teams in the
country. There will be special attractions,
and as such Will have better results fnan-
cially than all the County League games
put together.
''But my greatest objection to our team
remaining in the CountyLeague is the ques-
tionable nature of that league as an amateur
organization. Personally 1 hold that the
County League is not a bona fide amateur
organization. 1 have argued this for long
time. Some of the best authorities on
amateurism agree with me. AT any rate it
is questionable and on that account we
ought to keep clear of it. "
The following communication was re-
ceived at this Office the other day. It ex-
plains itself and needs no comment:
During the year nearly ended cricket
Dl0YlnU been nnVrhintr q In,
my way of thinking there have been several
causes Tor this, but the chief one has been
the lnck OF energy and absence of good bu--
mess management on the part OF those who
have presumed to run the sport here. But
1t may he useless to refer to tho unpleasant
part. What want to draw attention to is
the immediate future.
Next year will likely be q busy ono for
cricket in this country. There will be more
than one foreign team here and matches
will he played all over the country. What
should be uone is to have a meeting of per-
sons interested in cricket early next month
and make = start to adopt plans for the sea-
son when it comes. There is nothing to
prevent Mr.. Schwartz from conVeniny sucn
II meeting. There are many good workers
if they we're once reused up, and il about ~
half-dozen earnest admirers of the historic
game would only bestir themselves some
thing could be done toward getting together
good cricket team for Pittsburg for next
season. The sooner such a meeting is held
the better.
What promises to be one of the most inter
esting football contests that Inns been seen
here for a long time is underlined for
tomorrow at Exposition Park. 1t is con-
test between the local and Chicago associa-
tion football teams. These teams have met
before, and the people who saw the last con-
test between the teams have not forgotten
it. 1t was O great and an exciting one. Both
teams have been strengthened since last
spring. 80
The local team has made quite a record,
and probably the credit of AeGting together
such an excellent lot of players is due more
10 Secretary John Matthews than to any
other one man. His picture appears in this
department. to-day. He is an enthusiastic
football player and patron. While he has
never been in tho first rank absol utely as a
player he has ever been one of the hardest
workers for club or a team. He is only 81
years, and one of the most respected men,
bers of the football fraternity or Western
Pennsylvania. Few people know better
than Mr.. Matthews how TO judge q good
football player and that is the reason lie
has such a good lot of kickers on his team.
lie is a native OF Birmingham, England, and,
therefore, has been reared among tho best
kind of association football players. Secre-
tary Matthews is in all respects n gentle
man, and has the respect of all who know
him.
The other picture which appears in this
department is that OF John OBrien, captain
OF the local association football team. He
is a small man, only weighing about lSO
pounds but he is remarkably fast and clever
with the ball. his passing tactics are a treat
to witness, always feeding his mon accu-
rately. His election to the captaincy of the
local club was unanimous. Previous to his
coming to America he played with the
famous Lancashire club, Ardwick during
the seasons of 1890 and 9l they Mt that time
winning the Manchester cup. He also
represented Lancashire in their great COM
petition against Staffordshire, winning this
noted game by a score of goals to l. 1t is
notable feature that three OF these goals
were scored by him against the famous
Goalkeeper Rowley, of The Stoke, Stof-
1Orshire, club. Altogether, the local club
feels sure that their new captain will lead
them to victory tomorrow when they meet
the Chicago club, champions OF the West.
The Pittsburg Amateur Swimming Asso-
citation will on next Thursday evening at
o'clock at the Natatorium hold the first OF a
series Of monthly hnndicaps. The distance
is two lengths Of the pool or 40 yards. The
entries and handicaps are as follows:
First heat-J. T. Taylor, scratch: J. Brady,
4 seconds; J. Payton, seconds; Fred Holl-
man, seconds.
Second heat-George Baker i second and
Charles WenskOwsky, each seconds;
Charles Mertz, seconds; George Royal, 8
seconds.
Third heat-Bert Price, seconds: W.
Schanwecker, seconds; R. B. Montgomery,
4 seconds; C. H. Gressens, 6 seconds; H. NJ.
Hay, seconds.
Assisted by the more prominent members
of the p. A. S. A. Profs. Joseph McEwan
and James Fox will give exhibitions in
aquatic feats, such as chaintioatiDg, high
diving, different strokes, etc.
The performance will close with that ex-
citing game waterpolo which will be played
by seven men on each sidc under the cap
taincy of j. T. Taylor and Bert Price. Full
swimming costumes will be worn by the
contestants in all events and the public,
ladies, especially are invited.