The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1897-10-13
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8 BOWLING. 3
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AN ATHLETIC NEED.

There is q revival OF interest every
,.,sr, In muscular sport, and Wheeling
ms 10 nave caught the breath, II not
~. fever. AT no time for years have so
msDy discussions taken place regarding
~. formation OF associations conducive
,,out door and in door sport, or OF enter
arise, calculated to promote these ends,
:, the outcome of It all viii result in the
examination Of an athletic association
sncb as prevails in Pittsburgh, and even
{, elite, smaller than Wheeling, these
discussions will have borne fruit
First II is better 10 ask II there is a
need here of an organization such as the
pittsburgh Athletic Club, for instance.
This Is one Of the best known Of the
many Of which the Smoky City boasts,
In reply to the question every lover OF
snort will answer that Wheeling ls in
sad need OF an organization devoted to
the maintenance OF athletics upon high
plnc. and whose makeup would COM
prise true honest followers of sport, with
no other qualifications for membership
than that the applicant was a gentle
man. Upon It's roster could be gathered
The clty's wheelmen, base ball and foot
hail PLAYERS, etc. The clubs colors
would mean the united encouragement ia
lbs racing team, It's base ball team and
Ifs football team. at home and abroad
/, would be shown then that the claims
IN often made that no sport can be con-
Quoted prontahy. unless the gambling
element Is behind It. Is claim of the
past. Neither could Il be said then that
professional ball players and hsdc ex-
p1neRls were the only stars not playing
10 empty seats,
Neither should such an organization
necessarily cncroach upon others SINH
lar In some respects. 1t couldn't inter-
fpre with any now existing, for II would
cover territory now uncovered. II would
be devoted TO the promotion and foster
Ing solely Of athletics, making no pre-
tensions TO a large measure OF social en-
jymcnt, yet welcoming anything con-
duclvc to making life not all work with
no play
Now as to the practical operation OF
these random suggestions, There Is on
the Island base ball park which may
be purchased at very low figure. Base
ball and football can be played there as
uis. Without much expense there could
b. laid a good quarter mile bicycle track
the turns being banked. and able 10 be
removed when required. Less trouble Is
needed 10 level the ground for hun
dred yards dash, while none Is needed
for the carrying out Of programme OF
minor field sports, such as putting the
shot, etc.
Then as to the indoor features, with
out which the club couldn't flourish two
years Those could be furnished In
quarters simllar TO the Wheeling Ath-
letC Association now enjoys In the Hub
building and by the way, It Is said the
apparatus OF this organization may be
purchased for a nominal sum. Time was
when this apparatus was used by over
100 members, now they rarely touch a
dozen, In it's way this organization, like
others, has some weight, but for live
active grouping OF athletes ready In all
seasons TO uphold Wheeling's honor
against the athletic prides of competing
cities, Il hasn't filled the bill. But within
ITS quarters could be conducted every
winter exhibitions OF skill by the mem
hers that would be profitable to those
engaged and interesting to all attending
Friendly scientific boxing bouts, tugs OF
war, fencing and the many other gym
nastlc feats OF strength and skill could
be given. Bowling and the lighter past
times, Of course, to be included. The
base ball. the football and the track
men could here find training quarters for
the coming summer.
Il; can't be said that such an organlza-
lion wouldn't pay for Itself. Proof to the
contrary is seen in the several clubs and
organizations In the city, which are kept
up, principally by their gymnaslums and
bowling alleys. The outdoor feature
would prove bonanza financially. The
benefits to be derived otherwise can bet
ter be seen by gulplng down the vacuum
which now EXIST.