The Washington times., 1894-07-16
CRISP SPORTING COMMENT
What Is Going on in Baseball, Ath-
letic and Turf Circles.
SENATOR'S DOWN TO HARD PAN
Unless There Is Material Improvement in
the Work of the Washington Team Last
Place Will Be surety-Need Of 0hicial
Watchfulness at Alexander Island.


ager Schmelz, and that is, he never despairs,
but is confident all will come right in the end.
| When the Senators several weeks ago made a
squirt and escaped from last position in the
pennant race the cranks and fans were bub-
bling over with enthusiasm. and nothing was
too good for Col. Schmelz. But since the
tide has turned and tho fortunes of war de-
creed that the Senators are not able to keep
up with the procession, many Of these same
cranks and fans have changed their tune and
are accusing Capt. Schmelz OF poor judg
ment and partiality. Now that the club is
once moro ornamenting the tail end Lieut..
Schmelz has but few friends left in baseball
way.
Two months and a half yet remain OF the
championship season and still the Senatoria
aggregation is not made up as 1t should be.
OF late there have been more switching OF
players and positions, and a pitcher has been
playing in the Quilted. With the twenty odd
men to start OF with it certainly seems to have
been somebody's poor judgment that reSu-
lar team could not have been picked out and
regularly played. Sergt. Schmelz is held ac-
countabe by some for the present state OF
affairs as the manager has often announced
ing portion OF the club. II Corporal Schmelz
has not been handicapped in his management
then he Is entitled to all the credit, or rather
odium, for the poor standing of the club. For
a time the umpire was held responsible, but
of late the blame has been shifted to the
broad shoulders of Private Schmelz.
Racing day in and day out at the Alexander
Island track has not proved to be a gittering
al hnt do
appear to have lost heart. By recent under
standing with the horse owners the purses
were reduced in amount and n saving OF $3.50
per day effected. The attendance has not
been as large as expected. the number of reg
ulars being less than counted on. But some
how or other those who do patroniZe the
course usually have money to bet. and. to
listen 10 the bookmakers. the public is winner
on the whole. There have been "a few sus-
picious looking races, but the reversal of
form is not nearly as bad as at Brighton
Beach or Washington Park. There is so
much temptation for owners 10 waive all
chance for the small purse and stand in with
a book that it is a wonder such is not often
done.
1t is due Judge Oyster and the association
officials to say they are generally alert to nip
intended fraud. but no doubt many schemes
go through. and 1t is hard 10 fasten the onus
was taken of Lento AMI Murphy substituted.
but the latter's ride on the horse could not
have been worse Murphy lost his whip, and
there were many unkind enough to say he had
thrown il away. There can not be too much |
watchfulness exercised on the part Of the off, |
cials and when action is taken it should be
final and beyond repeal Once let the would
be crooked ones know their punishment will
he swift and sure and the crooked races will
be few and far between
The American sloop yacht yigilant will
take part in the regatta OF the Royal Ulster
Yacht Club. which will take place to-day at |
Belfast Lough. Several material changes |
have been made in the sail and spar plans of |
the yacht. Captain HaT in an interview said: |
"While we have been defeated. we have TO |
some extent only been trying new canvas. |
Besides. do not think the Clyde courses are |
satisfactory rs far as we are concerned. They |
did not yield real test of the sailing qualities |
of our boat. 1t was a skipping round more
than anything else If the course had been |
longer and straighter we would have beaten |
the Britannia. There was not a single day in 1
which the wind was such as we should have !
wished. On the second runs over the courses |
we managed relatively easily. but in covering |
them the first time we Just had to grope our |
way and struggle along for want of local
knowledge. Naturally we know the condi-
lions before We from some
New York papers told us straight that we
would not carry all before US on the Clyde"
This evening Billy Young and Jack Dough-
erty will have a ten-round scientific glove
contest at the old boxing arena adjoining
roadhouse. near Highland station.
The place may be reached in time by taking
the SIS o'clock train at the Baltimore and
Ohio depot There is quite deal of interest
in the outcome OF this meeting as on Dough-
erty's showing will greatly depend whether
h. can command any financial backing for a
match with Bolan. One of the most satis-
factory provisions attending the contest will
be the giving TO each ticket purchaser a
coupon entitling the holder TO return of his
money in the event of an unsatisfactory fight
1t is to be supposed the spectators will be the
judge OF tine merits of the contest.
The Yale athletic team have completed their
practice at the Oxford grounds and are now
awaiting the contest with the Oxonians, which
will take place to-day. Capt. Hickok, of the
Sheffield Scientific school, has almost recov-
cred from the effects of his wrenched knee,
and it is quite certain that he will give a good
account OF himself. Sanford has not entirely
fror ba ipiu hic laCc |