Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1895-08-01

tember, when the fall tennis tourna-
ment for club members will take place.
The teas which have been given on
Saturday afternoons by the ladies' have
been given up and will not be resumed
until fall. The spring and early sum
mer Seasons were highly enjoyed by
the members and their friends. A
great deal Of interest was manifested in
the tennis and cricket playing.
Some of the club members have be-
come experts at tennis, and the fall
tournament will probably be full of ex-
element. 1t is yet too early TO make
arrangements for the tournament but
there is already a great deal of talk,
and the entries will in all probability
be unusually large. The grounds are
admirably fitted for the game, which
makes the play all the more interest
ing Arrangements will be made to
accommodate large number of guests
during the tournament.
The cricket season, which is now at
an end, was fairly successful, although
the team was somewhat handicapped
in the matter Of getting professional
training Nevertheless, the members
Of the team acquitted themselves in
good form and there was no call for re-
greet, They tackled some of the best
elevcns in this part of the country, and
were not afraid of any of them.
There are prospects now that good
football team will be gotten together.
Joseph p. Wales has interested him
self, and as he is an enthusiast in the
sport there is every probability that
worthy set Of players will represent
the club. There is no reason why
good team should not be organized in
the club. Some of the best material
in Delaware-of college training is
within its ranks, and there is little
doubt of their taking a hand if they
see that the proper interest can be
aroused. Mr.. Wales is already casting
his eyes over the ground, and an early
selection Of winning team is looked
for by the members of the club. The
football team connected with the Del
ware Field Club used to be the pride
of Delaware, and it is the wish of some
OF the members that the old time pres
tige shall be restored
Every advantage is offered on the
Elsmere grounds for practice. There
is an admirable field for the gridiron,
and the clubhouse is suitable place
for retreat before and after play.
Special and appropriate quarters for a
football team could be put in shape
at minimum expense, and the results
would be gratifying not only TO the
membership, but to the friends of the
organization and to Wilmingtonians
generally.
The Delaware Field Club is regarded
as the solid athletic organization of the
city, and the fact Of its high-class
laral,i,. syiyae ~ the autaa.,, Of all
Wilmingtonians are proud of the exis-
tence of such an organization in Della
ware, and the general public would be
pleased to have an opportunity to visit
fetes on the pretty grounds frequently
instead of occasionally, as is now the
case.
There is evidently a latent athletic
strength in the organization, which,
il brought to the surface, would fur
nish entertainment that is now lack
ing. Outdoor exhibitions are growing
in popularity, an it is regretted that
they are not of frequent occurrence on
the Field Club grounds.
While the location is an admirable
one in a certain sense, it is not as
readily accessible by people living in
the city as it might be. 1--WE expect
to have an electric line running past
the grounds next year, II. r. Bring
hurst, H.. remarked to II reporter of
The Gazette" on Tuesday. "We
had anticipated line this year, but
it hardly seems probable now, and we
will have to content ourselves with
what we have for the present. " Mr..
Bringhurst thought, as many other peo-
pie think, that with street car line
running past the gate, the grounds
would be the best place adjacent to or
about the city for outdoor athletics.
Ut is likely that the running to Union
Park will be extended to Elsmere in
the spring, even should the Brandy
wine Springs road fall through.
At present there are two railroads
Baltimore & Ohio and Wilmington &
Northern = running numerous trains
past Elsmere, but people will not avail
themselves of steam road as they
would of an electric line. The mem
bers Of the club are extremely anxious
that they should have better facilities
for getting to and from the grounds.
1t is likely that there will be some
improvements made to the grounds and
buildings next year, although nothing
moro than talk has been heard in this
direction yet
PREMATURE BASE BALL TALK.
A baseball enthusiast who witnessed
the game between Rockford and New
Castle, on the Union street grounds
last Saturday, called the attention of
several of his friends who are inter
ested in the sport to the fact that Will
mington is now a good base ball city.
To reporter of 1.-THE Gazette" he
said Tuesday, "You mark my words,
there will he a professional club in Will
mington next year, unless all signs
fail.p
~ have heard a great deal Of talk
lately" he continued, land it is my
candid opinion that movement will
be started early in the winter looking
toward the establishment of team in
this city which will be allied with some
good, substantial association. |, with
several others, have been watching the
attendance for some time, and there is
now no question but that interest in
the national game in Wilmington is
growing.
"Of course, now we only have
game once week, but then you must
remember that the Rockford Club is
composed of amateurs, and it is my be-
lief that good professional club
would be even more of drawing card
than Rockford. It is quite true that
Rockford has gained its popularity by
good playing, and it is probable duo to
Rockford that interest has been
aroused hero. But il such is the case
then professional team that could
play good ball would undoubtedly keep
the interest up to such an extent that
the club could be aalf-supporting, and
! believe u paying investment. Tho
-fnterest this year is greater than it