The Washington times., 1902-06-15
Effort to Secure Free Play
ing Grounds Has Favor
able Endorsement.
ADVICE TO NOVICE RUNNERS
Trainers Often Cause Protest-Y. NJ.
c. 4. Winners at Points
Scored-Corcorans' Baseball Team.
Preparing foy the Fall Season.

The movement instituted in last sun
days Times to provide free playing
grounds in various sections Of the city
for young men who do rot belong to
clubs and for boys. has had Favorable
comment from hundreds Of citizens. all
applaudins this latest cGcrt TO encour-
age manly sports
As already stated the Monument
grounds are open only to boys Of sin
teen and under and young men who want
10 play BAH are thus deprived Of the
exercise unless they travel long dis
tances 10 - suburbs, which takes time.
as after the close of a business day
there is not much left Of daylight in
which TO take exercise. and grounds
should be conveniently located in the
various sections Of the city.
It is proposed to present the matter
to the proper officials and secure their
influence to have certain reservations or
private property set aside under proper
management and protection for the pur-
pose OF playing baseball, tennis. quoits
and kindred games
1t is proposed that everyone interest
cd in the matter use his or her infu-
enee to secure the much needed and
very desirable free playing grounds. just
as they have them in all other cities.
The High School Meet.
The recent meet given on Georgetown
Field TO decide the annual champion
ship of the high schools was in nearly
every respect 4 model one. 1t was run
OIL on schedule time and while there
was strong spirit of rivalry the ele-
ment Of fairness pervaded the entire list
OF contests, AID if any unfair or un-
sportsmanlike methods were used they
were not reported to the officials. The
single question awaiting a decision in
the games is one regarding the I0O-yard
semi-fnai. in which an appeal has been
taken from the referees decision.
When one sees lot OF young athletes
conducting themselves in such sports
maniike manner it does not seem pos
sible that there could be anywhere such
characters in amateur sports as are de-
picted in the following excerpts from
Mr.. James f. Sullivan's recent article.
and now appearing in the Athletes
Guide"
Advice to Nov;ces.
Among the many good things written
by Mr. Sullivan. who has had a life
long experience. are the following:
Ia many years experience as an Of
ficial at athletic meetings | have par
ticularly noticed-and with regret-that
the most persistent Offenders against
the rules Of athletic competition are the
beginners-novices or juniors. By that
/ mean technical violations of the rules
or what appear to be unsportsmanlike
or unfair tactics usually coming under
the Jurisdiction OF the referee
The only way to account for this per-
Eistent transgression Of the rules by be-
ginners must be that whoever has charge |
Of the schoolboy element. or the begin |
ners, does not instill into their minds |
the idea Of what clean sport means: and |
sometimes it anazes one to see the |
chances sorle of these boys will take in |
order TO win a prize
In novice or schoolboy race as. soon
as the pistol IS fired, vou viii see a |
scramble and iostling that is simply dis |
gusting as well as unfair Some com |
petitors apparently start of with tho |
idea that IN order to win It is necessary
10 shove aside or knock down every boy |
rear them, and the contestants. rine out !
Of ten, particularly those who are out
for the first year. show an utter lack of
knowledge OF the rules or methods Of |
competition.
Team Work Is Bad.
Another bad feature some Youngsters
have is taking part in what might be
termed steam work At recent ath-
letic carnival in New York city / saw
one Of the foulest pieces of running |
ever witnessed on a path in America /
and it was done practically by be- |
ginner and a contestant who could not |
win himself In this particular set of |
games there was point trophy, which
is always the cause OF trouble and
usually ends in disDute3.
This one particular club above re-
ferred TO was vers- anxious to win GER
tain event and had in there several coed
men. Another organization had en-
tered one or two men that were likewise
locked upon as likely winners. and this
beginner was picked out in this race 10
obstruct. impede. jostle. and Interfere
with certain man, so that there would
be no possible chance Of his ever get
ting In 5nal heat.
Ran Him Into Fence.
''The track was a small enc. ten laps
10 the mile. and as soon as the pistol
was fired. the lad who was delegated I
am sorry to say, TO do the underhand !
work. made no attempt to get to the
front but ran very slowly. watching over
his shoulder. and as soon as the -ian he
was to take care Of came near him he
deliberately placed himself il front OF
him, running zig-zag around the UGth
ard il the back-mark man wanted to 20 +
past him on the outside. he would 20
TO the outside. and II he slowed up with
the intention Of running on the inside.
he would turn towards the inside.
Finally. in sheer desperation the
back-mar man made an attempt TO 20
past him on the outside, ard St WIS i'm
possible TO get by aud shove the runner
in front OF him. The result was both of
them ran into the fence Both men
were practically out Of the competition.
Was Disqualified.
"Old-tIme officials in watching this
performance were disgusted. | imme-
diately disqualified the offender and al
lowed the hindered competitor TO go in
the final heat. After the race that boys
friend and himself came to me and en-
deavored to explain It away. He said