The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1898-04-21

contest during past base ball seasons,
is undergoing a transformation TO adapt
il to the uses of the Young Mems
Christian association for outdoor ath-
lCtiCs. When it was decided late this
spring that there would be no profess
sional bail played here this season, or
that Scranton would not be represented
in any league by a ball team, the stock
holders of the Scranton association
took the steps which resulted in the
transferring of the ground and build
iugs to the Association for it's use.
This generous act on the part of these
gentlemen, enthusiastic lovers of ath-
lctics themselves came at an oppor-
tune moment, following as it did, the
burning of the associations building, on
Wyoming avenue. The loss of the
building deprived the members of
gymnasium and the association could
not provide, under the circumstances.
either an adequate indoor or outdoor
substitute The transfer of the place
| thus settled an exceedingly VeXatious
| question.
Professor Kennedy, the physical di-
rector of the association, was given
the charge of preparing the park for
| its new purpose and the work is going
merrily on. When these "fiXin's" are
fully completed the "rooter" who visits
the grounds to witness ball games and
the associations field day sports, will be
! treated to a surprise. The greatest
| change will be made on the grounds,
| the buildings as they stand will receive
| little if any outward alteration
APPEARANCE OF FIELD.
To a person standing in the grand
stand immediately back of the position
occupied by the catcher during a ball
! game, the field will present the fol-
lowing view to his eye To his right
about fifteen feet from the "home"
! plate, q spot for the running broad
! jump has been selected, a strip of wood
six feet long and four inches wide set
| lengthwise in the ground marking the
take off" Within a fair jumping dis
! tance of I've take off, the ground has
| been suit, bly, loosened for a proper
landing. Forty feet to the right of this
spot, and at right angles a circular,
hard clay spot, marks the shot" put
ting ring for the 15-pound shot
Some distance further to the right
and directly in front of the line fence
of the field. placed there to keep the
crowd from flowing onto the field, is
the quot court. Proceeding down the
field to a spot about ten feet to the
| right of first base, one comes to the
ring marking the "thrOW" off for the
hammer thrOwers. This spot was Sc
| lcCtcd so that there would be sufficient
| room for the hammer should it fly off
| at a tangent in any direction but the
| one thrown in.
About fifty feet farther on and about
| midway between first and second base
| a double tennis court has been laid
out and directly to the left and at a
point midway between second and third
buse is the single tennis court. Both
courts will be SO prepared as to be the
| best hereabOuts for usage. Situated
| between these courts is the cricket
crease. This latter sport being some
thing new in association outdoor
sports.
Returning to the "home" plate and
on its left one will notice a similar
preparation of the ground as that at
the broad jump spot. This is where
the running high jump and pole vault
ing will he held. BY thus systematical-
ly arranging the grounds. one readily
sees that the ball diamond" remains
intact and it will receive the needed
attention to make it even better than
heretofore.
QUARTER-MILE TRACK.
Surrounding the spots selected for
the above branches Of athletic sports is
a one-fourth mile track, which will be
cindereG. II is at present only IA feet
| wide and runs four laps to the mile.
Later the track will be widened to
| = F,.g h. L.. =
fair idea of how the grounds will ac-
tually appear when all the contemplate
ed arrangements are completed
AS for the buildings the following is
the intention of the association: The
"bleachers" will for the present be left
as they are. The present entrance and
ticket office building will, of course, re-
main as they are. The seats in the
grand stand will not be changed, buc
beneath the stand several alterations
Will be made. The ticket office, for
merly used for selling grand stand tick
cts, will be converted into an office for
the use of Professor Kennedy and the
storage Of the small field apparatus.
Beneath the original grand stand
lockers will be placed a plunge bath
with shower. spray, etc, connections,
| with hot and cold water, will be put i'm.
Beneath the new portion of the grand
stand another storage room will be
placed and racks arranged for bicycles.
At the end Of this position of the grand
stand an "alley" or hand" ball court
will I've laid out The end of the stand
has been boarded and two seven foot
wings put on. This makes an excellent
court about forty-tive feet high and
| 25 feet wide and having a good CLAW
ground to play ON
The first use of the grounds by the
Young Mems Christian association will
lie made in June when the athletes of
the association wilt hold local field
day sports. Every fair day, now, they
are out there getting into shape under
the watchful eye Of Professor Kenne-
dy.