The evening tribune. (Pawtucket, R.I.) 189?-190?, 1896-12-19
the weather's misbehaYing. These are of
moment. First. there Is the


considerable moment. First, there is the
postponement of dates of important ath-
letic events, sometimes their absolute can
collation.; then the discomforts of attend
ance and the difficulties Of participancy.
It is such considerations that have slim,
ulated the already strong sentiment in ia
vor of systematic provision for such un-
pleasant contingencies.
Steps In this direction have been slowly
but firmly taken. Indoor athletic games,
which were at first merely gymnasium fea-
lures, wrestling matches and exhibitions
Of feats of strength, grew In proportion
until buildings specially adapted 10 run
ming and hurdliDg races and jumping con-
tests had to be constructed Then when
tho bicycle asserted itself as the leader of
all outdoor sport velodromes and Cycle
race tracks with other names and all un-
der shelter were put into use In many Of
the large cities, and then big indoor meets,
that so deeply engage the public interest,
came into vogue.
At the present time, SO great has grown
the scope of indoor athletics. almost any
outdoor game may be played beneath a
roof The experiment of indoor football,
tried Thanksgiving day at the Coliseum,
Chicago, fully established it's feasibility,
and 1t is probable that there will be good
deal Of gridiron practice in various parts
Of the country during the winter months.
Chicago, by the way, Is far in the lead
in this matter of indoor athletic games. 1t
was there that the game Of baseball was
first played successfully under cover, and
there will be located the great gymnasium
and covered athletic field planned by the
authorities of the University of Chicago.
This building will be the largest of Its
kind in the world.
The athletic field, 600 by 400 foot In ex-
tent, will be covered by building unique
in architecture and especially adapted to
this purpose. From framework Of iron
and steel will spring Immense arches, sup
porting removable glass roof. In the
summer months during pleasant weather
this roof will be open to such an extent
that the field will practically be an out Of
door one In winter It will be completely
inclosed and properly heated and ventilat-
ed Ranging around this immense in
closure will be an amphitheater with q
seating capacity for not less than $4,000
people Within this vast building there
will be room for any modern sport Be-
meath its protecting roof, secure from the
cold blasts Of winter, young ball players
can work into shape and enter on the
spring baseball season In perfect form,
and whenever the weather Is unpropitious
for an outdoor contest the rooters and all
others, from grand stand or bleacheries,
can betake themselves to this magnificent
sheltered field and in comfort watch the
game go on. And the players need not
crainp their work In any particular, for
the vertical measurement Of the Enclosure
will be In proportion to its horizontal d.
mensions. 1t will probably be something
more than 150 feet from floor to roof. Base
ball experts generally agree that the ex-
treme height to which ball is driven is
$50 feet When the building 10 completed,
the most ambitious slugger will be unable
to send the ball against the roof
The structure Is designed 10 meet all
emergencies. 1t will be almost as light
an day and provided with the most ap-
proved ventilating devices. The great
height and dimensions Of the building
will render IL proof against atmospheric
vitiation, and on reasonably fair and tenn
perate days the larger part Of the roof can
10 quickly removed.
Another famous covered athletic inclo-
sure 10 at Haverford, Pa, the famous criok-
citing center. Here largo cricket shed,
the only one Of Its kind In America, 10
| used for daily practice The shed IL an
Immense frame structure with a gable
roof and skyliRhts. Not only does the size
! Of thc shed allow two batters and several
bowlers 10 practice at the same time, but
10 also gives an opportunity for practice In
wicket keeping and allows free hitting
WITHOUT endangering those at the bowl
| srs end of the shed. Ii is owing to the
facilities for winter practice that Haver-
ford has been able to put In the field each
spring team OF the same class as those OF
| the best local clubs and that she has been
able 10 win the championship In intercol-
IeRiate cricket % many times during the
past few years
There is another outdoor sport that has
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