The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1901-08-25
SPORTS IN ENGLAND
CRICKET STILL HOLDS FIRST
PLACE IN POINT OF Pop
ULARITY
PROFESSIONALS GET BIG PAY
Football Is Gaining Ground, and
Eiis Fair to Become PODG-
scr with the Younger
Men.

The news contained in a recent cable
dispatch from London that j. 7. Brown,
a Yorkshire professional cricketer, had
received $4,000 as the proceeds of a
match played for his benefit probably eX-
cited the envy of many baseball players
on this side of the Atlantic. says the New
York Tribune. The professional ball
player is good for only short term of
seasons in comparison with the period
during which the expert at the English
game may hope to retain high place on
the active list; and whereas, on the one
hand, the former, his usefulness being
gone, is as a rule thrown aside and left
TO his own devices, the latter by his
many years of service seems to establish
claim upon mis- patrons, which is usual
ly recognized at the close of mis- career
In some substantial fashion.
The lot of the first-class professional
cricketers is from many points of view
an enviable one. His county" having
secured him for its eleven, pays him
fair annual salary, in return for which
1t acquires the title to his services in all
county matches. There are liberal al
lowances for extra games, and enthusi-
7stIc spectators frequently regard ex-
ceptional feats in the field, or with bat
or bail, by making a collections for the
fortunate player, with the result of hand
slme sums being realized The proceeds
o. the benefit game, when many years
OF faithful service shall nave earned an
honorable retirement. are usually suf-
hclent 10 purchase an annuity adequate
10 all the benehciary's simple wants. In
Deed there seems TO be a bond of union
among cricketers, uniting the wealthy
and generous patrons of the game in the
common love of sport with the humble
NolafN' VINO, otherwise lacking the means
Euo leisure to follow his tent, avails HIM
81 a
tIicketer TO combine pleasure and profit
IN ideal fashion This bond insures TO the
poor man the protection of the rich long
HIter mighty deeds performed at the
MIcket nave ceased to be more than a
ileaslng memory. Old players love TO
LGnt thelr battles over again, and to re-
can the catch that decided such a game
.. lhe long stand that baffied every win
- the adVersary's bOWlers and changed
an impending defeat into a glorious vic.
tory.
Iht9rcounty cricket in England is or
canned upon basis quite different from
tNat upon Which the arrangements of the
baseball leagues in this country are con
CGcIeu. NO man can play on q county,
team unless he is a native Of the coun-
" or IS qualified by not less than two
ears bona ide residence. The result
OF the operation Of this rule is THAI a
county takes a local pride in its renra-
SehtatlVes to an extent which could not
ne expected under a system which would
give player unrestricted liberty 20 sell
ms services each season to the highest
BIDDER In each county there are always
eAtnus lasts Of means and leisure who in
tefesI themselves in the cricketers and
are always on the lookout for promising
colts as aspiring professionals are
styled Occupation and social rank do nor
. fr
team, and every grade Of society may
re found represented in an English coun-
y eleven showing that cricket is after al
truly democratic game.
IN England the line between the anna
L az and the professional, or the gen
uanen' and players" is clearly drawn.
although to little practical purpose. A
place on county team is sought after
" the carts son as eagerly as bv tie
village cObblers boy. and no favor is
SHOWN If man plays We'll enough and
cannot afford to play without remunera-
ton, ne receives remunera ton, and be-
comes player" Yorkshire. at present
fae champion county of England is cap
tanned by Lord Hawke. but eight of the
tean are professionals. Lord Hawke
aolds the Office Of captain on account OF
hia fitness for the post, and not on ac-
count of his noble birth, although, every
ably be preferred 30 a plebeian in most
cases Many county eIevens to which
amateurs belong are captained by pro-
fessionals.
Mention has already been made of the
fact that successful players are at times
literally rewarded on the ground by col
4ections made among admiring spectators.
It Is related that on one occasion a purse
Of 80 sovereigns ($75O was the recogpi-
ton which a brillian innings met with,
out this was an exceptionally large sum.
Contributions to the hat usually take
the form of silver and the player is
usually extremely wei satisfied when the
siEpences, shillngs and half crowns
combine TO make up a comparatively
modest "tenner"
Some counties and clubs make a prac-
tice Of paying talent money to their pro-
fessional players. Payments under this
head are make according to a regularly
established tariff, the usual practice be-
ing pound $50 for every fifty runs
scored. Good bowling feats are reward
e. 2n similar plan, an an exceptionally
brilliant piece of fielding is also likely
to 2e recognized.
1t should be borne in mind that the ex-
penNez Of county cricket clubs in England
are smaller than thoOe of baseball or
carnations here Ground is cheaper, ex-
ocpt perhaps, in London, where. how
ever, Lords and the Oval have been in
possession of the Marylebone Cricket
club and the Surrey County club from
tine immemorial A cricket field, it is