The Washington times., 1894-10-28
AMONG AMATEUR ATHLETES
Surprising So Many Young Men Re-
frain from Physical Exercise.
NEED FOR A HANDBALL COURT
Establishment Of Such Would Yield Hand
some Return for the Expense Attending
Its Construction-The Football Fever In
creased by the Games Played Last Week.

The interest among members, friends, and
admirers of the several athletic organizations
is at present 80 evenly divided between foot
ball, bowling, and basket ball that each sort
OF sport has almost equally large following
The only wonder Is that there are not more
who take an active part in the various games,
the moderate participation in either OF which
must necessarily rebound to the physical
benefit of each player.
With the large number OF young men en-
ployed in the departments and elsewhere,
whose time after o'clock is at their own dis
posal, it is surprising how few, comparatively
speaking. take proper exercise, or, indeed,
any exercise at all. With the several excel
lent gymnasiums and other means OF improy-
ing the physical man contained in the athletic
organizations here there Is no good reason
why every young man should not in a large
measure be able to regain by regular and
steady exercise whatever vitality he loses by
his daily work.
Some means must be devised to show the
average man the necessity for taking exercise,
and the only way now open seems by the
method OF series of lectures. Let this be by
some one who can practically illustrate his
work with all the various pieces of apparatus
OF gymnasium. In this way every man can
see the kind of exercise he needs, and can see
more especially that it is not half as hard as
he imagines to use the apparatus.
Some time ago l mentioned the fact that
good handball court would be an excellent
thing to have here. AS none OF our clubs
with possibly one exception, have the space
to devote to such court, 1t seems to me that
1t would be paying investment to some
caterer of amusements to put up court
There is big money in it. In the city OF Brook
lyn there are several public courts in success
full operation, and next to bowling 1t is the
popular game. There men as well as ladies
play handball. Who will be the pioneer here
in this direction?
THE FOOTBALL FEVER.
II there were any lack OF interest or en-
thusiasm locally in the matter of football it
is not in evidence to-day. for the great games
during the week played on our grounds
between crack college teams has served to
bring out that latent interest, and now every
appetite is whetted and the great cry is ''for
more" The games between the Universities
OF Penn" and Virginia, and SwGrthmore
and Georgetown gave excellent opportunity
to see the game in all its glory. with its neces-
sary adiuncts of college colors and enthusiasm
and yells and partisanship.
Our local players learned many points and
tricks from the collegans, and will no doubt
take early opportunity TO work them in.
COLUMBIA ATHLETIC CLUB.
The members of the Columbia Athletic Club
are much pleased with the work of its foot
ball team. In the game with the Kendalls on
Wednesday the character OF the work being
done by the wearers OF the winged arrow"
under Capt. Wells capable direction, for the
first time made itself apparent, and greater
confidence exists as to the team ability 10
play winning football. 1t is great pity that
the manager has not been able to arrange
games with outside teams. 1t would GER
tainly be more beneficial than the dad Y prac-
tice games with members OF the same club.
In games with other teams weak spots be-
come apparent, and the weak spots would
necessarily be strengthened, so that by .he
approach Of the time for the great Thanks
giving day championship game with George
town College the team would work more in
unison and would certainly be better bal
aneed.
Shields is playing stronger game than ever
before.
Harter and Leet. formerly OF the Y. N. c. A
team. are decided acquisitions 10 the team.
They are two ''heady" players.
Lewis plays his position OF right half back
in great shape. he is a fast and nerYy run
ner.
Many members express the regret that
Adam Johnson is not playing in center. Ii
will be remembered that he did some great
work last year.
IN THE GYMNASIUM
The work among the classes in the "gym"
goes steadily on and any quantity OF good
material is being developed. Many new faces
will be seen in the first athletic night" to be
given shortly.
Prof. Crossley Is kept busy taking measure
ments and prescribing exercise. At least
fifty applicants have already been measured
and are at work.
C. Dudley who. has been suffering from
malaria. Is at work again on the bars.
Will Mooney will start In during the COM
ing month and prepare for the winters ex-
hibitions.
Sewell, Ross, and CrossIey are preparing
for the acrobatic acts, and promise some
startling movements on the horizontal bar
and trapeZe.
The wrestlers in their various classes. in
pretty new tights, are practicing hard and
will make it warm for competitors in several
Of the opel events here and elsewhere Blunt,
Stratton, Watts, and Shafhirt ar in fine con-
dition and doing some good wrestling.
Carter has large classes in boxing at work.
Strong is making rapid progress in fencing
under PROF.. DarrIlatt, fencing master. Teacher
and pupil will give exhibitions on ''athletic
night" 1t seems somewhat strange that so
few are taking up fencing.
1t is the intention of the amusement COM
mittee 10 give several evenings OF sparring by
wsll-known amateur talent. They will be
under the capable management of BOBBY Ell
der, who in former years so successfully
managed the sparring contests of the club
Cards to these must be obtained from men,
bers before reaching the clubhouse, as no
cards can be had at the club-off1ce as hereto
fore.
AMONG THE CLUB BowLERs.
That there is plenty of practice among the
bowlers at present goes without saying, and
Chairman David B. HiI'' Jones will keep
his team up to the high standard set in for
mer years.
The schedule of the games to be played by
the Bowling Club and published in another
column is good one
The league games begin on November Is,
the G. A. @. opening with the Y. NJ. G.. A.
upon the alleys of the latter, and the W. A. G.
upon the alleys of the Buena Vista with team
of that club. AS will be seen Carroll Insti-
tute, the present champions, will not play
until the following evening upon its alleys
and then with the G. A. @.
The opening night will be a gala one
Meyers. of the Buena Vista, was welcome
visitor to the @. A. c. on Thursday night He
is a strong bowler.
DR.. NJ T. Finley is developing into ten
pin bowler He and Claas Denekas are
making big scores, working for places on the
second or scrub" team.
Howard Perry is bowling again and shows
| good form.
John Walkers side won the practice game