The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1898-03-04
R SPORTING TALK.
SERIOUS ILLNESS OF FLANAGAN
THE NOTED HAMMER THROWER.

Fiaus for Another Invnslon or EpsIish cricE.
e~ters-Proposed series OF District Champisn-
shtps for Amateur billiard Flaysra-Novsi
Ctnaer Path for Madison Square Garden.
Friends OF John Flanagan, the noted amateur
hammer thrower. have received word from
Toronto that the worlds champion 10 seriously
III there. He has been in the hospital for six
weeks suffering from intermittent fever. sup
posed TO have been brought about by unwise In
diligence in his fSvorite pRstime while out OF
condition. His friends hope that Flanagan Nfll
round to sufficiently to bear a trip TO jersey
City, where 1t is thought his convalescenco
would DO fastened In the home circle Of his rela-
tives. Metropolitan athletes are much con.
cerned over the news OF FlanaRan's illness. az
anything which might prevent his temperance
IN competition would be a serious blow to tho
prestige Of amateur field sport, and especially
to tho New York Athletic Club, which he repre-
scented with such eclat last season. Flanagan oc-
oupies q unique position in athletics. He has not
only thrown the hammer further than any other
champion, amateur or professional. but has
raised tho game to a science. When he came to
this country. less than a year ago. with the
Irish and English championships and records to
his credit. the American critics who looked him
over were inclined to be skeptioal. He 10 barely
Of medium height. while Mitchell and Barry,
who preceded him. were comparative giants.
Flanagan. however, quickly demonstrated that
superior skill more than offsets u lack OF inches.
He surprised tho experts with a now style of
throwing which he effected by making two com.
plstc turns In the scven.foot circle before letting
tho missile fly. By.this method he captured all
the honors in sight last season, and set up q
mark OF $50 feet 8 inches, which has yet to be
beaten.
The recent activity of the A. A. U. in tho do
main OF amateur billiards seems to have struck
q responsive chord in many sections outside of
the metropolitan district. Chairman James Il.
Sullivan OF the Registration Committee has, re-
ceived notice that tho Pacific Association has
arranged for a district billiard championship to
take place at Oakland, Cal, on March II. w.
Il. Berry, the A. A. U. representative on the
oiSed' success. Letters have also been received
from several other associations of the A. A. U.
stating that they are arranging for local cham
mental tournaments find favor among amateur
GUESTS and their followers, it, is quiteon the cards
q view to bringing together the winners in the
various districts.
Arrangements for the forthcoming carnival of
the Military Athletic League at Madison Square
Indoor track construction. According to the
plans indorsed by Col. Luscomo and turned over
, To mad' OF boards 81; tisos a resuI Ia i nfS einder path pa h"f for
the athletic. and bicycle events; Robortson's
idea is to build a track with a cinder foundation
topped of and bound by clay which will DO
rolled in until. tine surface is AS frictionless as
asphalt: The lsp VII have two s,raiEhtsway
at either end by easy curves and banked up to
q pitch Of four feet for the benefit OF the wheel
Of about sixteen feet and is expected to furnish
easy and fast going.
Another invasion of foreign cricketers is
booked for next fall. The Philadelphia devotees
that the visiting team will be one OF the strong.
est combinations OF English amateurs ever seen
heT : " Ths spsiaiHI If q The EnE Mha w team Is, Tiil BE- BE-
September; He wllf Be- backed up BY The cream
International repute. Tho team. wIf sail from
ENGLAND on Aug. -. and viii be due here a
their campaign at Toronto oil Sept; 8. 6, and Z,
and then. returned here for a match against all
G NE a SSfk Hn ). ss pi T; IL; asa Ii; q On H ssp1. s Is. wiii
b next in order: The team will then play at
delphia, where the schedule will be wound up.
The players Of the Quaker City are determined
TO make a gallant stand against the clever Brit;
to DO already mastering their available forces.
The philadelphia c; G. has engaged the noted
crack bowler and more than useful, in other de-
partments. 1t is said that he will report for
duty on April 1.
The rebellion Of the basketball players Of the
tho a. a. DWlt u. has a AZ ienn. fn TAKEN iex,S ,ansipIe i sh ,p g.
and the various clubs concerned have formally
under the name OF The Eastern Basket
ball Association. The constitution and bylaws
have been drafted and will be presented for
adoption at n meeting Of the managers next
Monday evening. when the proposed slate. of
officers will also be presented. 1t Is stipulated In
the new laws that teams. managers. and players
must register with the Secretary at the begin
ning of each season. No fee will be charged
for this registration. but each team will be
required to pay $3.50 for admission to
membership. The Association in return
decide all questions Of disagreement and protect
teams from rough, handling by opponents or
spectators. 1t is also proposed to establish q
league schedule for two, three. or more classes,
to play annually, for the championship, ON
90 many energetic subjects. On the contrary,
they are breathing much easier since the breach
became too wide to bridge. They were certainly
very anxious for a reconciliation at first, but tho
facts they gathered at the Philadelphia confer
0nce some weeks ago reconciled them to the
threatened secession.