The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1900-12-16
GREAT DECLINE IN
OUTDOOR SPORTS
Baseball, Prize Fighting and Racing
are Losing Favor-GoN
and I ennis,

rhe action OF the National League
,.enatas at their meeting last week will
no, fond to create a feeling of brotherly
love between the players and the owners
os tho franchises in the various cities.
This action will not have a tendency
to place baseball at the top round of
nonular sports again. When managers
of baseball teams consider that they
have the right to buy and sell players
like so many pounds of bacon, without
giving the players chance, then the
nubtic will take just enough interest IN
~. m,tter TO lose all interest in the
came. and to carry their money. which
must be forthcoming in support Of the
league. 10 some other market.
.rne basebalI-.ovinS pU0nc are growing
disp,sted with the manner in wtich base
hajl cl,rhs in the larger leagues are beng
condncIeG. Baseball, fer the sport and
eyci.ement there is in it, seems TO be
. gave Of the past. Now it is simply
commercial enterprise, designed to-
heoeft q few, while the cranks and root
ors of the good cd days may so to the
dickens.
..prjze-fghting has, also, begun to strike
tho tohosgan. There are few puglllsls
cr note in this country to-day who, out
side of a prize-rinS, can draw 5a people
~, ,,.;+.,ess their entertainment. THIS
has been shown here in Richmond
recently, in reference to both Jeffries and
Eitzsimmons. Neither man drew a
having crowd when they We're here.
In a prize-fight there would be a large
crowd undoubtedly, to see these men
20 for each other But the crowd would
not be local. Thousands of plugs from
all over the country would conSregate
Ar the ringsIde. and it is safe to say
that there are not in the city OF Rlcn-
mond $50 people who would pay 10 sea
a fight between Corbett and Jehrles, an"
the same rule holds good in all other
cities in comparison to size.
Racing IS practically dead here, but
with proper encouragement it might be
revived. flor there are many lovers OF
horses in Richmond. The condition OF
This sport here was illustrated at the last
Deep Run Hunt Club meet, when the at
tendance was the smallest OF any previous
meeting, although the prospect Tor good
sport was encouraging.
Richmond could be made a, good racing
centre. and it is understood that the Leg
islature will he asked at the next session
TO give the horse people some assistance
and encouragement. Should Richmond be
able TO get into the circuit, some good
racing would follow.
Football is the only really popular game
now, and the public will grow tired OF the
touchdown and goal. There are, OF course,
a number of small games in vogue more
or less, such as basketball tents and
similar games. Thase latter. lhcswever,
will never grow popular with the masses,
and it is not yet possible to foretell what
may be the successor to the great game
OF baseball
Golf is gradually getting into popular
favor It is now q favorite society game,
and it is a question whether the masses
will ever catch on. The Geauty about the
game is that it may be engaged in by
both sexes. which should be an argument
in favor OF its becoming popular With the
people.
There is one thing certain, however, and
that is that the great American public
must have some form of recreation for
the open door season. and baseball does
not seem to be the game.