The Hawaiian star. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu]) 1893-1912, 1897-12-03
HE PLEADS FOR CRICKET.
CONDITIONS FOR THE SPORT THE
BEST IN THE WORLD.
No Reason Why 1t Should Not Take
Prominent Place Among Popular
Pastimes in Honolulu

My purpose in penniug this article
is to plead, according to my lights, in
behalf of the noble old game of Cricll-
ct, which, it seems to me it has become
the fashion with a good many people
to affect to despise, and that, 700,
without any good or valid reason
whatsoever. Most of the objections 20
this sport will not, to use a homely
phrase, hold water" for one mo-
ment.
Prejudiced persons say that it is
too English Conceding it to be the
national sport of Britishers, the pre-
valent love of the pastime may per-
haps be cited as an instance of the de-
velopment of their national character,
requiring, as it does, such combina-
ton of intellectual and physical quail
ities-broad and open shoulders, stout
arms and quick legs, with patience,
calculation and promptness of eXecu-
ton. 1t was in the cricket field that
nearly all of the galaxy of Great Brit
aims naval and military heroes re-
ceived that early training of eye,
nerve and muscle, which fitted them
for the greater and sterncr emergen-
cies of their future career. And from
whom, pray, did we get most o, our
athletic sports anyway? Did not foot
ball emanate from England? Is not
the game of golf, now the rage in the
United States, and quite popular in
Honolulu, of ancient Scottish origin?
Was not polo introduced from British
India? And does not la crosse hail
from the Dominion of Canada? The
list is not nearly exhausted, but suf-
ficient has been said, methinks, to eff
fectually dispose of objection number
one.
Next we are told that it is an ''old
womans game" This is sheer non
sense. For while it would be impos-
sible TO find British gunboat that
could not muster a good cricket team.
! notice that American naval officers
stationed at Honolulu and elsewhere,
do not disdain occasionally to lay
aside sword and gun and to WELD the
harmless tennis racket, and surely we
are all agreed that they are not less
manly or valorous than their British
cousins? Send a tennis player to the
wicket and let him stand up before a
swift bowler for half an hour. and
then just ask him whether he still
considers it an ''old woman's game"
The excuse most frequently offered.
however. by those neglecting an OBJ
portunity to witness u cricket match
is, that they do not understand the
game.
at is Il sealed book to me-" remark
ed friend of mine the other day. Of
course it is to those who continue
to stay away, for it must be learned
like anything else in the world. But
it is not at all difficult and after few
visits the spectator will find attrac-
ton in watching the different styles
of batting and bowling which afford,
in my humble opinion, even a more
interesting study than the less intrI-
cate, though more exciting game OF
baseball. Besides, the dear public is
really so Inconsistent. \ case in point
was furnished on Thanksgiving day,
when among the spectators who wit
messed the football match at MakiI<i
there were hundreds, mostly ladies'.
who were perfectly bewiltlered by the
game, the rules of which were to
them unknown. For the trifing CON
sideration of ten cents, fair reader,
you can obtain at Wall, Nichols Co.'S
Il small handbook by George Wright,
will instil into you sufficient knowl-
edge of the mysteries of cricket to en-
able you to follow the changing fort
unes of a game with some degree of
intelligence.
Lastly, the complaint is made that
the delays and pauses in local cricket
matches make them rather "slow" af-
fairs. Here, for once, | am some
what disposed to join the side of the
critics. But this is a drawback that
is capable of being remedied. There
is but one way to make cricket pop
ular, and that is to commence as
promptly at the hour appointed as the
professional ball players do in their
games. Also to strictly observe the
English law of the game--too often
violated--of two minutes between the
time of a batsman leaving his wick
ct and his successor taking his place,
and TO allow an intermission of ten
minutes only between the innings.
Captain Herbert of the II. c. c., has
made heroic efforts to induce cricket
ers to turn up on time, but so far
many of them persist in making their
appearance when the afternoon is far
advanced and then perhaps to feel
their "amour propre" wounded be-