Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1896-10-07
POLO IN MAINE.
A Meeting In the Antiquated but In
teresting City Of Portland.
Walter Burnham Tells EN- What No Think.
About tho Prospects.

The following extracts from Portland
papers of Oct. s, tell their own story:
At the present time prospects are
very bright for strong polo league IN
Maine during the coming winter. It
has been some years now since this
popular and exciting game has been
seen to any extent in the Pine Tree
State, and a number of gentlemen in
terested in the sport have come to the
conclusion that the field is now ripe
for polo and if they receive the proper
encouragement a league will undoubt-
elly be formed at once.
Among the prime movers in the pres
ent scheme Is Mr.. Walter Burnham.
the well-known base bali manager, and
1t Is more than probable that in the
event of a league being formed he will
handle the Portland team
When interviewed by an Argus re-
porter, last evening, Mr.. Burnham
said: Il think there is no doubt what
ever but that the people of Maine will
have an opportunity see some good
polo this winter. Anybody who has
ever seen a polo game knows how in
tcnsely exciting 1t is and it ought to
catch on here In great shape
THE first step necessary in the for
nation of league is to find out
whether suitable halls can be secured
in which to play the games. In the
cities of Maine which would be most
desirable in polo league there are ex-
cellent facilities of this kind. We have
already discovered that the following
halls can be secured.
In Portland and Lewiston the City
halls are available. in Bath and Rock
land there are good Kinks. in Gardiner
there is the Coliseum. and in the event
of Bangor organizing club Norum-
bega hail can he obtained for our pur-
pose. Within day or two 1t will be
learned whether or not the new City
hall at Augusta can be secured, and II
satisfactory arrangements are made
several gentlemen stand ready to or
Sanize club there.
Although no definite plans have
been made as yet regarding the forma-
ton Of a league, the cities which will
most likely be represented are Port
lad. Lewiston, Bath. Rockland. Au
Susta and Gardiner. The gentlemen
interested in the project in the various
cities Will take steps to effect an or
ganization in few days. when q meet
ing will be held in this city to elect
officers and arrange a schedule. The
clubs would probably play two home
games each week, and with such a
compact circuit as the one at present
in view travelling expenses would be
light and they all ought to make
money.
Mr.. Burnham further said that Port
land City hall would make an excel
lent place for polo and that a playing
surface 5ox90 feet could easily be Sc
cured. The new armory would be con-
siderably better suited for polo than
City hall, excepting for the lack of
seating capacity.
Mr. Burnham saw the officials of the
National Polo League a few days ago
regarding a system of protection sim
liar to that in force among the base
ball organizations whereby the larger
clubs are prevented from taking valu-
able players from the minor leagues
during the playing season. The ma
tional officials though, ravorably of his
scheme and appointed Messrs j. C.
applications for such protection as the
Maine League might desire.
Mr.. II. II. Donnell. the owner of the
Alameda rink at Bath. was in this city,
yesterday. and announced his willing
ness to place club in the league If it
was Observation-Disclosures Argus.
Mr.. w. w. Burnham of Chelsea, was
in the city, yesterday, and met repre-
from Bath Rockland. Au-
eusta, Lewiston. Bangor and Portland
that are interested in the movement to
secure league for the playing of the
popular game of polo. Mr.. DOnnell of
Bath. controls the rink in that city, and
says that the people in that section are
much interested in the formation of
such a league.
In other places considered there are
available halls and places where such
n game can be played. and the interest
thus far manifested is good.
In Portland the armory building and
City hall are available. but it is prob
able that of the two the latter would
have to be taken. as seating accommo-
dations in the armory have not as yet
been provided.
If the arrangements are perfected as
soon as expected. the first game in the
series will be played during the latter
part of November.
Application for membership in the
league or from players, until the per-
manent organization is effected. can be
sent to Mr.. Burnham. Chelsea Mass
Portland Press
Harvey II. Doe returned to his home