Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1897-01-02
THE YEAR. IN SPORT
Review Of the Leading Events in the
District.
WHAT has BEEN (DoNE BY ATHLETES
Riding to Hounds and After the
Polo Ball.
- = - is :. - y
BASKET BALL AND FOOT BALL

The year 1896 was a busy one in local
sporting circles. Amateur base ball was
given an impetus at the beginning of the
season in this city by the formation of a
new league, which was called the District
League. The Departmental League also
opened for it's third season, and both
leagues kept up schedules and regular
games for a long period. Finally, through
some internal trouble, the District League
was disbanded. with the championship rest
ing between the Canterbury team and the
Shamrock club. This point has not vet
been settled. The Departmental League
continued longer in the field, but some
trouble arose at the end of the season,
and few games were left unplayed The
championship rests with the Bureau of En-
craving. Some excellent games were play
ed. and demonstrated that good amateur
ball can be played in this city, and al
though the attendance was not what 1t
might have been, all who witnessed the
majority of the games united in praising
the clean exhibitions that were given of
the national game: The games were play
ed at the National Base Ball Park during
the absence of the Washington National
League club
Fox Hunting,
The Chevy Chase. Hunt Club is the only
organization in this vicinity that devotes it.
self to fox hunting, and some exciting runs
were held during the season. The club was
organized in the fall of 1888 and since that
time has steadily grown in numbers and
popularity. The club was organized over a
year ago as country club but riding after
The hounds has remained its chief attrac-
ton. Although the riding INDUCED in by
the members of the club has been over
some very rough country, casualties have
been very few, and no serious accidents
have happened to mar the enjoyment of
the sport.
Basket Ball.
The basket ball season opened with the
same interest that was displayed in the
game last year The league which was Or
ganized some time ago was reorganized
this year. and games have been played on
the regular schedule. While time enough,
has not elapsed to allow a line to be drawn
on the work of the different teams, the
work of the W. L. I. c. seems to be up to
its usual standard. and there is every ind
cation that it will win the championship
for the season of 1857.
Track and Field Sports.
Track and field sports were held by
Georgetown University. B. J. Wefers the
champion Splinter of the world, made sew
eral new records 81 fhe Georgetown field,
some of which were marvellous
Aauatics.
The only feature, in aquatics this year
was the Potomac river regatta, which was
held August 2. The races were rowed
over the upper course, and the interest
in the event showed that revival of boat
ing In this vicinity gould be brought about
rJef BAN.
The Columbia Afhl(tic Club seems to
hold the championship of the District at
foot ball. having astsated all the teams
here and a number from outside places.
The only defeat fEosBoa local organizatio
during the season &as1hat received at the
hands of the Columbian University eleven.
which downed Columbia Christmas day.
All Of the untNersities and colleges in the
District, with the exception of Georgetown
University, which was not represented by
a university team. were represented on the
gridiron, and interclass foot ball at the lat
ter institution was one of the features of
the foot ball season.
The Central High School team won the
championship Of the high schools of the
city. :,
Tennis.
The tennis championship of the District
was Won by Drscoll of Georgetown Uni
versity, who beat j. C. Davidson, the hold
er Of that title for four years. There was
great deal of interest in the game and
one tournament was held, that of the
Southern Tennis Association. which closed
May ~. }. {. Davidson won the cham
plonship at this meeting, but on account
of the inability OF Driscoll TO be present
and play at that time he was given an
opportunity later in the year to meet the
holder of the title, which he did success
fully.
The annual tournament of the Washing
ton Golf Club began Monday. December %
AoN1
Jenkins the club medal.
The games were played on the grounds
of the club on the road between Rosslyn
and Fort Myer, and attracted considerable
attention.
Last winters season IN bowling ended
early in the spring with the interest in
the sport undated to the end. The games
played showed that Washington has sew
eral Representatives on the alleys who are
by no means behind the standard set by
other cities in bowling ana some excellent
scores were rolled up by the end of the
play. The Columbia Athletic Club held
tournament for the championship of the
District, which was an entire success.
Polo.
Polo matches were played by the only
two polo teams in the District, those from
Fort Myer and the Chevy Chase Club.
While interesting games were played by
these two teams when pitted against each
trouble in defeating either of them.
Croquet.
The third annual croquet tournament
was held in the District beginning Septem-
Der IA. Sackett Duryea, a Washington
boy, showed remarkable skill from the
start and won the championship with seven
IN Tbo