The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1893-01-09
TN THE FRONT RANK.
Seattle's Dapid Climb in the
Football World.
BEST RECORD ON THE COAST,
Good Prospects OF Consolidation With
California for a Baseball League
sporting Gossip.

Although there are still occasional matches of
minor importance, the football season of the Pa.
cifc coast is practically at end. after running
over a mont alter than in tie East The devel-
opmeut that Il nas made this season In the
newer section is phenomenal. Especially 10
this noticeable in Seattle Three months ago
the game wEs practically unknown here.
handful OF Eastern college men, who were en-
thusiastic over the sport, set about establish ng
IL in popular favor. The first match, hurr edly
gotten up, between poorly-traned teams from
the seattle Athletic Club and the state uni
versity, brought out perhaps $50 spectators.
From this small beginning the enth usiasrn grew
at such rate that the New Years day match
drew % Madison PARK a crowd OF 800, that
would have been increased at least 500 more but
for the inability Of the street cars to handle the
people.
But the best work done In the advancement
OF the sport has not been merely in drawing
large crowds. 1t is the number of recruits that
have entered active service on the field which
promises the most for the future OF the game
here. The Athletic club, which faihered the
movement, succeeded in routing out from retire.
ment quite number OF Eastern college players.
In addition it developed considerable new
talent. At the state university, where athletics
had made but little advance, and that little in
other directions than football, a strong team
was gotten together. Circumstances prevented
academy, but it Is practically assured for next
season and fight between teams from the two
schools promises to become an annual
event OF great importance In amateur
athletics the North Pacific. coast
Aside from the Varsity team the freshmen have
put an eleven in the field. The city high school
has also been represented. In this era of popu-
lsrity Young America has not been behind in
adopting the game, and nearly every younsster
in town, in school or out, has taken hand At
It. The enterprising newsboy IL 'right in line"
devoting his time out of business hours to the
game, and "Chimfny" and "cweepsey"
bucking the line as fercely or running the ends
as brilliantly dill ever "Bum" McClung or
Laurie Bliss at old Yale.
In the matter of glory the greatest feather in
sesttles cap is the lie game that the Attn letic
club, with an eleven whose training was far
from sufficient. played against tho weil-driled
team OF the Multromah Athletic Club, of Port
land. II was brilliant individual play against
good tesm work, and the result was stand.off.
With more time for training the team together
II is not unreasonable to believe that Seattle
could have won from Portland.
Had their plans turned out TO their liking the
Seattle club might have won the game, but IN
der circumstances that might have detracted
from their laures.
W. w. Hefeltnger, who played guard on the
Yale team for several seasons, and is rated as
position, is now in the employ of the Great
Northern railway, and has been stationed at the
construction camp at the end OF the track. as it
was being laid east of here. Old college mates
OF his put themselves in communication with
him tn bring him here in time for the New
Years game. Had the Great Northern finished
its track in time to run a train through, Heffel-
finger would have been here in time 10 don a
jacket and go on the fed - do battle for Seat
tie. With the tower of strength his In
Giv!dual play would have been, ana
the additional confidence and dash his presence
would have given the team. Seattle would al
most surely have won. Had this come about
the credit of the victory would have gone en-
Erely to Heffelinger Under the conditions as
they actually were. Seattle il deserving Of more
credit for a draw than she would have been for
victory won by Heffelfngers aid. BY her un.
aided efforts she has climbed in her first season
to place In the front rank of Paci &c coast foot
Kali. Another season OF similar improvement,
or even much less, ought TO establish her su-
pfemQcy,