The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1897-05-23
WHEELWOMEN POLO
a FEW ACTUALLY PLAY 1T, WHILE
THE OTHERS T1LK ABOUT IT.

II WnCClWOncnu aNO u ntW luu. II 10 biOySiO
polo. Not many havo had tho courage 10 try
the game yet, but they are all talking about 1t,
and many have announced their intention OF go
ing In for II. W~heelwomen, like wheelmen. are
always looking for now phases OF wheeling.
They like to attempt something novel, tho more
difficult the better, and they are finding both
elements In cycle polo. A lot Of them were talk
ing about IL at an academy tho other day.
Its perfectly grand" exclaimed a stunning
looking girl in n short skirt. IL never tried any
thing 30 exciting In my life. Pony polo OF Ice
polo isn't In It with bike polo"
ITS certainly exciting enough TO watch the
game" put in a little expert, "but I wouldn't
attempt to play II. 1 think it Is too rough for
women. And it seems to mo that we ought to
leave It exclusively to whcclmcn."
And, pray, why 7" asked q tall blonde in a
sarcastic tone. That's tho way with women.
We are always complaining that the men havo
the best of everything, and yet when something
comes along that we could enjoy we sit back
meekly and say lets leave that to the men,
For my part l don't see why tho mon should
have a lead.plpe cinch on bicycle polo. I haven't
played 1t, but after seeing that last game bo-
tween the Columbia and the Metropolitan teams
here I certainly am going to learn"
80 am l." cried a dozen feminine voices.
Its a very rough game for women" objected
an elderly enthusiast, land I'm afraid IL women
60 in for such sports that they will bring cycling
for women into disrepute."
"Boshi" calculated a gun-chewing, gathered
novice. "The day has passed when cycling as a
sport for women can be brought into disrepute.
The bicycle, aside from its pleasure and health
giving properties. is Of too much use to women
now ever to be laid aside. There never was a
time when women made so much uso of their
wheels as they are doing this spring. Almost
every housekecper who rides will tell you that
she goes to market on her wheel. and IA great
many women are beginning TO use them when
shopping. Women employed in offices and
small shops ride their wheels to and from their
places OF business, and 1 really think It is only Il
matter Of time when the big department stores
will provide n storage room for the wheels Of
their A wheel saves one a great
deal OF time as we'll as car fare. and there arc
very few days, after the season really opens,
when one cannot ride
"There is certainly no doubt about the grow
ing usefulness Of the bicycle among whcclmcn
and w~heelwomen entirely distinct from the rae
ing and touring element" volunteered a stout
matron. 81 simply wouldn't have the patience
now to 60 shopping and marketing unless 1
went awheel. 1t is SO much fun not to have to
wait for cars and bother with transfers; and
only think. while one is doing ones duty or at
tending strictly TO business one can ut the same
time DO gaining renewed strength and having
dead loads Of fun out of a lively spin"
broke in the crank on the subject, - wonder
who I could get to teach me tho gamef T.
volunteered Mrs. Axtell, the woman instructor.
I'm taking lessons from Gorham-W. II. Cor
ham; the CAPTAIN APP, ,hs OF the . team. you
tail OF the game | want to organize several teams
composed entirely Of women. so many have ex-
How is the game played r. asked an athletic
looking girl who goes in for sports Of all kinds.
Mrs. Axtell. He can explain it much more
clearly than ! can"
playedf repeated Gorhsm with a laugh. "iknews
the w~heelwomen would take to this game, and
there is absolutely no reason why they SHOULDN'T;
never fear anything hat she may encounter on
the road. 1t gives one absolute control Of ones
game until one Is almost a wizard of the wheel.
Even the little children in the streets. both boys
s several II times rve seem youne stes Pr s ap pretty afS
stin fights. II Il isn't too rough for them I don't
swhsen did the Ts fS cone int into vogue here +.
planned that she WAS afraid he would not begin
y irst match game of bicycle polo ever
played In this city,, were the authority.
December. o. We played several games niSes~ that
winter. but can't say that the sport took like
About eight months ago we. with two other
players, opened at q roof garden. Most people
a ahSu tbsy t Rrsw t so en Wss ths Sir a1eT OF il the tSa fam Ms
continued to play there for four months. Since
then We have played once a week in this acade,
my and not only wheelmen but wheelwomen
also are Just beginning to wake up to the fact
thai amateurs can get a great deal OF amuse'
"How is It playedl The implements which
make up the outfit are q high.grade bicycle, an
eighteen inches in width. These goals are made
something like q small box with a swinging
door; Inside is a bell which rings when hlt BY
count unless that bell rings. The goals are sci
up about ten inches from the floor at a distance
entirely with the wheels. There are generally
cam p a%S F' TSe % 9% = slGS: 1sSssn %G re
quires q wide berth, and even as it Is
f fStli SsII /. p sEs at IT t iRnsr ssnsPs Q, AZ a ths at. stsr !
rider from each side PUSHES for 1t, while the
other two players watch the two goals contin
slow up for two good reasons: they might collide
come to 4 stsndsSih in order to Execute III,
seen the game. Is dei i Ss cd by u jumping ngSm tho frsn'
vsnSs t and s q H1 III / IiS def to tTisSs t e t dS,, 6sBd Hs. Ha'
Each. goal counts ten points, while 100 con
L Is more exciting to play two fifteen. minute
giving a quick twist to the handle bar is all tina
thoTC q " oc yVle pOIO. lney uon L KNOW an
more about the game than a whiskey drummei
knows abop Sunday school literature. Their,
are seven Of Iots In ali and some OF them are verI
hard to exc cute. The first two are the front ant
heel. Wfsat do mean by that A front heel !
executed by following the ball hard with tn
rear of tie front tire. It is q very graceful
stroke. Next we have the push. which e dom
pickup. In doing a pickup. the player wait
until tlif! ball gets to the rim, and then he pick
II up With his front wheel. I've raised ball
nearli 70 the Lights in Madison Square Garden b.
we lie OF the sphere in the '~raftors a good part o
the time. The straightforward, drive Is tn
sixth stroke. and it's a corker. When the playe
mYets the ball coming forward at full speed h
DIR Ives 1t back with his rear wheel. Often |
sfs ms to hy back over exactly the same course
4. beinR possible to execute this stroke 30 accu
n,tely. Last comes the counter. In. this tn
ball hits the rear wheel. comes to the front, AM
the player drives II toward the goal"
rs bicycle polo a scientific game, or is IT on
of those Rnmes executed entirely by a series o
accidents" asked tho athletic girl.
! We've got the game down so scientifically,
replied GOrham, "that we know when n ball
coming whether we will hit It with the front, real
or centre of the front wheel. Say. for example
o. .-.,.aly n.aa thA ball al nna 4