Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1892-06-12
AMONG THE AMATEURS.
Franks of the Weather Prevented
Preliminary Practice.
NEWS OF THE CYCLING WORLD.
Whist the Athletes Are Doing in the Field
and other Meetings.
BITS OF LIFE IN THE TENNIS COURTS.

The past week has been full of fair prom
ises and disappointments Uncle Jerry
Rusk was responsible in part for the prom
ises and the weather for the disappoint-
ments. On several occasions the early
morning hours of deceptive DAYS gave as
surance that storms were a thing of the
past, but, ere the afternoon had grown old,
thunder and lightning, rain and wind
reigned supreme. Plans for tours on
wheels, tournaments of tennis on private
and club grounds and other outings were
thus rudely set aside, only to be made and
frustrated on the succeeding day.
TIE mildest of the amateurs called the
weather simply exasperating when so many
important events that need preliminary
practice are pending. According to all cal
culations made when the winter SHOWS were
still on the ground, practice should have
commenced six weeks ago and have con-
tinued uninterruptedly until the present
But it has hardly begun yet, and there is q
backwRrdness in every direction that will
be felt when our champions come in compe-
tition with those of more favored localities.
Some of the venturesome have taken ad
vantage of the few clear, dry hours, and
have secured an hour or so here and
there for exercitation, but when it did not
rain it was muddy and some of the mire
still fingers. When clearing time
does come, then will there be general cry
of relief. not only from the wheelmen, the
tennis enthusiasts. and the cricket and ball
players, but from those who are to compete
in events in field meetings 1t has been
sad, sad spring, but, as a lady cyclist re-
Gently remarked it is hoped that it will be
q real old-tashioned summer"
The athletic sports on the Fourth Of July
promise to be one of the most interesting
features of the day. The A. A. Z. of this
city and Allegheny were wise in giving the
arrangement over to Prof Kirchner, who is
already busy with the affairs of this feature
of the celebration. He has prepared entry
blanks and all the amateurs in this part of
the country are invited TO take part. 1t is
his intention, and he will accomplish it if
anyone can, to make the meeting the most
successful that has ever been held in Pitts
burg. 1t will eclipse all former efforts in
this direction. Schenlev Park has been
chosen as the spot and the following is to be
the list of events: 1OO-yard dash,
110-yard hurdle race, hop-step-and-
jump, 22O-vard dash, running high kick,
putting 16-pound shot, 440-yard dash,
440-vard dash, one mile bicycle race, throw
ing 16-pound hammer, one-half mile run,
two-mile bicycle race, sack race, one-mile
run, running broad jump, tug of war (625-
pounds limit, four men), pole vaulting and
running high Jump. Gold and silver
medals for first and second prizes will be
given in each event.
1t has not vet been decided when entries
will close, but those who intend to be con-
testantS should send in their names as early
as possible. Entry blanks have been sent
to the athletic associations and have been |
left at the following places: George |
Smiths, 1903 Carson street; Al Pratt's, |
Wood street; w. P. Johnson, IL Singer |
row, West End; j. b. Golden, % Din |