Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1896-04-19
A REVIEW OF SPORTS.
Jepworth Discusses the Happenings Of
the Week in Athletic Circles.


Interstate and National League
Base Ball-Bowling, Boxing, Cy.
cling and Other Sports-General
Outlook for the Summer.
Base ball has been recognized for
many years as the national game, and
as such has received the encouragement
and patronage Of the public. 1t is a
clean, wholesome sport, and one OF the
few in which professionalism and
crookedness are not recognized as syn
onomous terms II Is the opinion Of we'll
informed persons that this year will
witness the banner season OF base ball.
The manner in which the National
League season started off would appear
in measure to justify this view. The
games last Thursday we're witnessed
by more than $4,000 persons, the larg
est attendance on single day, exclu-
sive Of holidays, in the history OF the
game. The results Of the opening con-
tests were somewhat surprising, but 1t
would be folly to base an estimate OF
the relative strength of the respective
teams upon the showing which they
make in the first series Of games. The
opinion is generally shared, however.
that Pittsburg is much stronger than
ever and will be in the race for the pen
nant. The Spiders are hardly as strong
as last season, and Baltimore is not
stronger All the Eastern teams will
show up well in the race, and the fight
promises to be very interesting until
the flag drops.
The Interstate race will begin on May
I'd. The only way in which to judge
OF the abilities of the clubs is by the
previous records Of the players and the
exhibition games which have beeen
played. For some unaccountable rea-
son, Toledo and Fort Wayne have
been looked upon as very strong. The
latter team will be made up OF the
Cleveland colts and will no doubt be
one OF the strongest in the organiza-
ton. Manager Torreyson, however,
will not set the world afire with his
Toledo aggregation. He has played
several games and has succeeded in
raising an awful howl in Toledo, and
disgusting Gunnells Youngstown and
Washington will be fairly strong. and
New Castle will have a good team.
Jackson and Saginaw are uncertainties.
AS matter Of fact, the Wheeling team,
on paper, looks stronger than any team
in the circuit, with the possible excep-
ton OF Fort Wayne. With a winning
club this city will draw big crowds, not
only at home but on its trips.
The Wheeling management Is deter
mined to have pennant winning team,
and the fact that managers in other
cities talk in the same way Is healthy
indication. Gunnells asserts that he
will fire the whole club, including Tor
reyson, unless they show up better, and
McKeown, of Washington, will spend
any amount Of money necessary to
bring his aggregation up to the top
notch in playing ability. II the local
management secures AL Wagner and
Barrett, the club will be remarkably
strong. This will be especially true Of
the infeld, with McHoverter at first,
Darrah second, Whaley short, and Wag-
ner third. This Is a quartette which
will be hard to beat in fielding, and
all are handy with the stick. The bat
teries are the most important positions,
and Wheeling shows up well In this
respect. Barrett was one OF the best
twirlers in the Interstate and Iron and
Oil leagues last season. The other
pitchers are not so well known, but they
have excellent records.
The interest which has been mani
tested so far this season in cycling may
be accepted as an indication that this
sport will be more popular in Wheeling
during the coming summer than ever
before. The two local clubs are in
f1ourishing condition, and are receiving
weekly accessions to their membership.
1t Is likely that race meeting will be
given on the Fair Grounds during the
summer, and the usual number Of wheel
contests in connection with picnics will
take place. In fact, 30 great is the in
terest In that sport that bicycle races
are rapidly crowding out horse races In
the public favor. The number of con-
Germs which are manufacturing wheels
has increased and multiplied during the
past few years. and the same thing Is
true OF the number Of local dealers. SO
far, the only benefit which prospective
purchasers will derive from the excess
sive competition is easier terms of pay
ment. The prices of high grade wheels
have not yet been affected, and prob
ably will not be during the year.
The recently organized gun club gave
its first shoot on the Island during the
past week. There was lively interest
manifested and quite large number of
spectators watched the contests. The
old members Of the club made excellent
records. notably Wright, Penn and Din
ger, and some of the new recruits
showed up in surprisingly good form.
The membership OF the club has been
increased, and II will probably include
all the good shots in this city. 1t is the
intention to arrange number of con-
tests with the crack teams in this State.
Pennsylvania and Ohio.
The winter bowling tournament of
the Musee is rapidly drawing TO a
close. The interest which is manifest
ed Is not as apparent as during the