The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1898-12-14

Special Correspondence Of The Tribune
Hartford, Conn, Dec. 13.-The unpre-
Cedented interest in roller polo |
throughout the New England states |
brings to mind the days of yore when |
the great rivalry existed between the |
famous Arcadian and Lackawanna polo |
teams in Scranton. and suggests re-
vival of the sport in Pennsylvania, and |
with such a prospect in view, a former |
Scrantoniau takes the liberty of en-
tightening The Tribune's readers of his
observations along these lines. The
National Polo league Is to New Eng
land sports what the National Base
Ball league is to followers of the great
national outdoor game, and from pres
ent indications bids fair to outrival
anything in the line of indoor sports.
so successful has the game became in
Connecticut, Massachusetts and Maine
that it's interest has now been extended
into New York and New JERSEY, and
before another season elapses it would
not be surprising if the Keystone state
would fall in line and become an i'm
portant factor in this most fascinating
sport.
The National League is comprised Of
Providence. Hartford, Springfield. Wa
terburg, New Haven, Meriden and New
Britain and there is a league in Maine,
another in southern Massachusetts ans
another in southern Connecticut, while
the American Association of Roller
Poloists comprises New York, Brook
lyn, Jersey City Newark and other
towns along the Atlantic seaboard. The
players are all professionals. signed
noI
ment the same as base ball players and
receive very munficent salaries for
their work. Each team plays accord
ing to schedule, and two and three
games a week are played in each city.
THE AMATEUR LEAGUES.
Amateur leagues are also in eXisc-
ence in each city, and each professional
game is preceded by an exciting con-
| test between teams from these organi-
| cations. The game is played in three
| fifteen minute periods, and some ef the
most scientific juggling and passing
| imaginable is INDUCED in during a
| game. The contests are also fraught
with more or less roughness on the part
| of some players, whose science in that
| direction is heralded with delight from
many of the patrons.
| The games are attended by from 1909
| to 5000 spectators usually, ana the
| most intense interest is manifested
| In this city the promoters have recent
| ly thrown open to the public one of the
| finest buildings in New England for in
| door sports, with seating capacity Of
| $500, and it is a common occurrence to
see the structure crowded with men
and women who take great delight in
| following the movements of the eX-
perts on wheels. The players are men
| of much experience, and probably the
| most distinguished artist of them all is
Tom" Cotter, the captain of the Hart
| ford team, whose experience dates back
q dozen years or more.
Other prominent personages in the
game are Jimmy" Canavan, the we'll
| known second baseman of the Provi-
| dence Eastern League base ball clui; /;
'Iiiily" Murray, manager Oc the above
named club: "Hobe' Whiting. man
aEer Of the Pawtucket ball club of the
New England league, and Referees
BILLY" Lush and Tommy" Leahy, two
| we'll known base ballists. Each team
is composed of five regular players and
a substitute, whose positions are those
of rushes, half-back, center and goal.
The American association, recently or
ganized is not identified with the Ma
tional league, but is fostered by such
well known men as BILLY" Barnie,
Jack" Chapman and others, whose
purpose is to secure National league
players from the protected" teams
Thus far their efforts have not been
successful
| DEVOTE MUCH SPACE TO IT.
The newspapers devote many col
umns of space to the games, and great
rivalry exists between the different
clubs. The percentages are figured by
the games won and lost, and each cIut
has its official scorers and timekenp,
ers. The indications point to a general
revival of the sport in many states, ano
in a few years the sport-loVing people
of Scranton VII recall the memorable
days of ther favorite teams ad un.
doubtedly have the pleasure of wit.
Messing many exciting contests such as
they were wont to do in days gone by
The same manifest interest in box.
ing is apparent here as in Scranton
and the upDermost topic of conversa
tiOn hereabOuts is the approaching
ing contest between Tommy" Ryan
of Syracuse, and Dick" O'Brien. o,
Lewiston, Me-, which takes place a.
the Coliseum next Friday evening
They are matched to fight twenty-fiy,
rounds for the middleweight champion
ship at los pounds. The preliminary
will be between Sammy" Myers anC
"TOm" Cunning at catchweights. San
Austin, of the Police Gazette, viii
referee. a decision will be rendered il
the big "go" and the winner will re-
ceive purse of $4,000.
In case the referee is unable TO de-
termine which man has the better o.
the fight after twenty-five rounds, 4
1t lasts that long, the referee will ordel
a sufficient NUMBER of additional round,
to determine who shall receive the de
cision. Both men are now here anC
training for the contest. Special train.
will be run from New York and Ros
ton to enable the patrons of the spor
to witness the contest. The Charte
Oak Athletic club has charge of tn,
affair.
GOOD ATTRACTIONS.
Patrons Of the theatre here are af
forded excellent opportunities for wit
Messing many of the great metropoli
tan successes, owing to the number o
attractions that are presented in New
York and Boston houses, and whicl
make Hartford a halfway stopplr,
point hither and thither. During tn
| past week, Anna Held, with 9TH
\ French Maid" company, includin,
Charles Biglow, the famous comedian
gave two performances here, and Ca
mile D'Aryille and Joseph O'Meara, II