The Minneapolis journal., 1902-06-28
TENNIS is POPULAR.
Ancient Game Of Kings Retains
Favor Of People.
MANY VARIATIONS OF GAME
Ping Pong, the Latest Form, Has At
tained Great Popularity
In Minneapolis.

What game can boast of a similar rec
ord to that of lawn tennis In vogue hun
dreds of years ago, fayorite pastime OF
rayalty in England in the midle ages 1t
has not only survived and held Its sway
to the present day, but has, also served
as the model for half a dozen variat ions,
all of which have had, and some of which
still have almost as much popularity as
the original amusement.
Strange to say, these variations of ten
squash, ping-pong and 9TH
ers-instead of detracting from the inter-
est in the parent sport, have, apparently,
only served to increase it. Especially is
this the case with ping-pOng, which has
attract ed the attention Of numbers of old
tennis players, and led them to renew
their interest in the old game.
Ping-pong, or table tennis, crossing the
Atlantic from England, overwhelmed the
east in just about as much time as 1t
takes to tell it. Thence 1t has swept west,
south and north; like a prairie fire, and
during the past winter has attained de-
cided vogue in Minneapolis. Unlike most
indoor games, which fall into disuse dur
ing the warm months, ping pong has
proved quite popular this summer, espec-
tally at the various clubs. Possibly the
exceptionally cool weather has had some
thing to do with this, and possibly the
game may be discarded temporarily dur
ing July and August, but so far it has
been played quite as much as in the win
ter. ~. -.
Variations of Ping Pong.
AS the different variations Of tennis
have been evolved, SO ping pong players
have added several amusing features to
this game. The foursome is one of these
varieties. Two players are assigned to
each side of the table, but only one rae
quet is allotted to each pair. After serv-
ing the ball, the player must lay down,
his racquet, which must then be picked
up by his partner and used for the next
return. The player who has noticed the
quickness of eye and hand required to
play the ordinary game, can easily i'm
agine the increased difficulty attaching to
this mode OF play. a - :
Another style OF game Is called "bowl,
ping pong, and perhaps was invented by
some devotee of bottle. pool. A bowl,
partly filled with loose sand, is placed in
the center of each court, and the player
who succeeds in returning the ball into
the bowl on his opponent s court wins the
game then and there. ~
Hand ball, the great gymnasium game,
is another variety of tennis. It has
never, however, attained such popularity
as ping pong, for the reason that so much
expense attaches to- the equipment OF a
court: Hence the game has been gener-
ally confined TO gymnasiums, where 1t
originated, although it has been taken
up by several pugilistssI as g part of their
training for bouts. ';'SD}st ~ = e..
f Squash Popular, In East.
Squash is another tennis offshoot, but
like hand ball can be enjoyed only by
the more wealthy. ~
country or at the seashore, and no smart
clubhouse is complete this summer with
out a squash" court. Yet the general
public has no more idea of what this new
fad of the wealthy is like than they at
first had Of ping pong.
Squash belongs to the lawn tennis fam
lily, and, under different titles and with a
few minor differences has been known
since the time of Henry VIII. of England.
And yet there has been-jittle squash lit
erature, hence the world at large has
had no opportunity Of becoming ac-
quainted> with it in story. Royal prin-
cesses in early history played tennis in
this way, using their fair hands. or, in
some cases, gloves When the bat came
into use it was called bat fves.
Then another evolution, and the tennis
racquet came upon the scene. The walls
were enclosed, floor and ceiling added,
and VOLTA! rackets. esa
Squash is merely a variation of rackets
and the courts are the same. The walls
are marked off by painted lines the serv-
ice line, above which the ball muct strike
when served, is six feet from the floor.
Another line, called the telltale, is two
feet from the floor. and after ball has
been served, the second, player must re-
turn it on to the front wall above the
tellta1e before it. has bounded twice. The
players then continue to return the ball
alternately until the rally is lost. A ball
is in play until 1t touches the roof, posts
cushions. or is driven into the gallery. 1t
is then out OF court.
The court is divided by line into two
equal spaces There is a cross cut through
the center twenty-three feet from the
back wall. >
$- How 1t Is Played.
The game is played with a ball, usually
of India rubber, and a lightweight tennis
racquet, strung with gut. The squash ba
| weighs between nine and ten ounces.
| Keeping out of the way is one Of the
objects of the game. If the ball hits the
| strikers partner or himself it counts
against the striker. One of the rules O
the game is that every player should ge
out of the way as much as possible.
Squash may be played either will
doubles or singles, and in a four or three
walled court.
| Any carpenter can build the house. Th'
\ height OF the front wall Is sixteen feet
The total length of the court Is BIG feet
and the breadth 1868 feet.
A club composed Of well ll-known wealth,
young men has been recently organized
for the purpose Of building a court ii
which to play the game.
Last summer the game was SO much o
a novelty that the story is told Of a fam
ily in fashionable seaside resort VIII
made their way. into the elect through
their squash court, 1T being the secon'
only Of It's kind In the place. This yea
it is even more essential to ones socia
| success.
AIToMoBILIsTs HAPPY