The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1898-04-02
GAMES
AT OMAHA.
Baseball and Other Sporting
Events as Attractive Fca-
tures Of the Transmissis-
sippi Exposition

There are to be spring games held on
the grounds OF the Transmississipp
and international exposition at Omaha.
but OF more interest would be the base
ball and football contests among vari-
Gus collegiate teams. The former are
highly desirable, but IL is doubtful II
intercollegiate baseball can successfully
compete against professional baseball.
Games OF this kind played at the
Worlds fair in Chicago, although they
created some excited interest. were not
brilliant success.
The football games to be played on
the exposition grounds during the
autumn months viii be the greatest at
fractions of all the intercollegiate
events, and they give every promise of
success Omaha has been handicapped
ever since the modern game of foot,
bail secured hold in the west by lack
OF proper grounds. II the exposition
athletic field is arranged by a COM
petent overseer and convenient and
commodous grand stands are built. as
promised. "a long felt want" will be
supplied.
Bischoff, the manager OF the Univer-
slty OF Nebraska football eleven. is par
ticularly desirous of holding some OF
the big" games on the exposition ath-
letic grounds, and he has enthusiastic
friends who will aid In the project.
Some Of the regular games of the West
ern Intercollegiate Football association
consisting of Nebraska, Iowa, Kansas
and Missouri clubs. will be played on
the exposition field grounds. and ii IS
probable that contests will be arranged
between the University OF Nebraska
team on the one hand and the teams
of the universities Of Illinois, Minneso-
ia, Wisconsin. Chicago and possibly
some from states still farther eastward
as contestants against the Nebraskars
| The Omahans state that such ideal
sport would be very acceptable to them.
Near the close of the exposition. at the
finish of the baseball season, the run
ming races and the bicycle races that
are scheduled for the summer months.
the people of Omaha will naturally turn
toward some form of sport to interest
them IL the games that are now under
consideration shall be finally arranged,
this want will be abundantly satisfied.
and the best football games ever play
ed in the west will take place on the
exposition grounds.
The plans at present under consid-
GRAFTON contemplate having at Omaha
more collegiate athletes than have ev-
er before entered that city's portals.
There appears to be no obstacle in the
way of holding an intercollegiate
meet" in all branches of amateur
sport that shall be far superior to any
previous gathering. Sufficient assur-
ance of support has been given those
who have the matter in charge to war;
rant the belief that the meet will be
pronounced success. Baseball and foot
ball games as well as meetings OF field
and track athletes. to be participated IN
by teams from the leading western COLI
Ieges and universities are contemplated
The call for the meeting OF track and
field athletes on the exposition grounds
in the spring was sent out some ume
ago TO all western institutions above the
academic grade.
In response to the suggestion that the
regular spring meet OF track and field
athletes of the state universities or
Nebraska. Iowa. Kansas and Missouri
he held on the exposition grounds this
spring the athletic managements OF the
universities have signifed their acqui-
escence in joining the quadrangular
meet.
Other athletic meets among repre-
sentatiyes of western colleges distinct
from the universities are being arrang-
ed. The exposition authorities have
promised TO aid such intercollegiate
contests by giving them full use of the
athletic field. No charge other than the
regular admission fee will be exacted,
but the owner OF the grand stand con-
cession may be permitted to erect grand
Stands there and charge a nominal
amount for seats.
The advantages Of meet OF intercol-
lesiate athletes at Omaha during the
exposition are set forth in a circular
letter sent to the various universities
which reads as follows:
1T would educate public sentiment
i'm favor OF clean sport as opposed to
professionalism.
1T would increase public interest and
support of athletics throughout the
west
1T would form a suitable beginning
| for the organization OF permanent
athletic league for the promotion OF
athletic interests across the Mississippi.
1T would provide suitable incentive
for the first gathering together OF west
ern college athletes.
1T would provide q representative
company OF people IN the grand stand
| to see the sport.
1T would provide financial support
| for such q meet ~ would b possible ~
1 nthap TINA or olaCo-~