The herald., 1897-04-26

almost exclusively to the Fiesta, moth
ing has transpired In the sporting line
locally aside from the field sports at
Athletic park, which was the feature of
one day of the celebration. The program
as whole was a good one, though
trifie toe long drawn out, and while no
records were broken nor any phenom-
email work of any kind done, was fairly
satisfactory. There was not enough at
tention paid to details in lining up the
men for the several events, nor for an
nouncing the results, but on this occa-
sion this was immaterial. In future,
however, If certain small matters are at
tended to, not only will the public be bet
ter satisfied, but better and more ac-
curate reports can be made. To begin
with, let the official announcer attend
strictly to business. The megaphone is
not much of a success, but supplemented
with a reasonably sized bulletin board,
on which the official results can be post
ed, 1t will be satisfactory. AS soon as
the judges and timers have agreed, let
the announcements be made. Then let
the clerk Of the course furnish the an
nouncer with a copy of the official re-
suit, and let the same be posted on the
bulletin board. This will enable all the
contestants, as we'll as the reporters
and others interested to get the official
results without chasing up individual
Judges and timers for information.
Catching 1t on the fly" as it were. with
all the chances of inaccuracies conse-
quent on the prevailing excitement and
confusion. Track officials as rule are
generally obliging in furnishing all nee
t.,e 1,,tt NJ q
BILE exceptions-and. besides. they have
troubles of their own. For instance, a
Judge whose decision is questioned, or
a timer whose infallible watch is "shy"
in comparison with the others. is not apt
to be in a particularly amiable frame
of mind when he is interrupted in the
midst of his argument by half dozen
reporters, all anxious for the result. The
officials remarks are sometimes more
emphatic than polite, and in consequence
there is liable to be friction. AT any
rate, there Is a right and wrong way
of doing things. and while the right way
may cause a little more thought in ar
ranging the Details it will save much
time and annoyance in the long run. be-
sides being much more satisfactory for
all concerned.
Another attempt is being made to re-
vive interest in base ball throughout the
state, and from the character of the
men who are heading the movement, 1t
should succeed. There is no good reason
why California should not have a strong
six or eight-club league, and IL public
sentiment is aroused, 1t can be accom-
plished. A good ball team is a stand
ing advertisement for any city. and
when the game is conducted on legiti-
mate lines. it is worthy the support Of
every citizen. The following communi-
cation from the bureau of publicity and
promotion of the California champion
ship base ball tournament for 1897 has
been received:
A committee has been formed In San
Francisco for the purpose of conducting
a base ball tournament for the cham
of California. The committee
consists of James D. Phelan, mayor of
San Francisco; VIM. B. Pringle. presi-
dent of the Oakland city council. and
an active member of the Re-
lance Athletic club; George A.
president of the Olym-
pic club, and d. R. McNeill,
chief of the CaledDnian club
The tournament will commence
Saturday, June 5th, and continue
on Saturdays, Sundays and holidays un-
til the championship has been awarded.
To the winning team will be given the
championship standard trophy, donated
by the Examiner. $1,000 in gold coin and
. handsome pennant emblematic of the
When clubs from the in
terror are called upon to play in San
Francisco they will have the option of
receiving transportation and hotel ex-
penses at the cost Of the committee, or
Of receiving 10 per cent Of the gross gate
receipts Of all games they play in. Clubs
may enter the tournament from any part
Of the state and all young men over
Is years Of age are eligible to member
ship. The entire cost of conducting the
tournament will be borne by the COM
mittee. and 20 per cent Of the gross gate
receipts Of all games will be donated
to charity. This will be in all respects
4 tournament for the sole purpose of en-
a desire for wholesome ath-
letic sports among the young men of Cal
lfornia, and discourage the taste for
prize fighting and other brutalities that
row seem to be gaining foothold. The
personnel Of the committee Is a guar
antee that the tournament will be con-
ducted on the broadest lines of public
spiritedness 1t Is to be hoped that young
men generally will sec the advantage
10 be gained by forming clubs and enter
Ing the tournament. VIM. B. Pringle
10 secretary to the committee and all
Implications for membership and re-
quests for information. should be ad-
dressed to him at the office of the COM
mittee, 1889 Market street, San Fran
cisco.
George Duffy of San Pedro has writ
ten the sporting editor Of The Herald
ls follows, under date Of April %:
IAN unknown from San Francisco has
me to row him three-mile
race. accept the challenge under the
following conditions: That the race is
rowed in San Pedro, the course to be
three miles with turn. the stakes to be
|25 or $50 side.
II will back William McFaddento row
The unknown under the latter's propo-
Iition, to give McFadden 100 yards start
a two miles, and bet $50 to $S6. which |
proposition the unknown made in last
Herald"
1t will now be In order for the s'un-
1nown" to declare himself and post his
feposit to bind the match. or matches.
according to his public challenge. The |
match, II properly managed, with one
y two minor evsntA ahould draw = fair