The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-11-18
INDIANAPOLIS SHOWS EVIDENCE OF
BECOMING POLO MAD.
Large Crowd witnessed Opening
Game i'm New Auditorium-Lost
Through Lack of Practice.
Western League Standing.

Indianapolis has the polo fever. This city
promises to become as polo mad as other
cities in the Western Polo League, where
the sport has been exceedingly popular for
the past two years An effort was made 10
spread the epidemic in the Hoosier capital
last season, with only little success. A Few
persons became enthusiasts, but the games
were poorly attended. This year the In
dianapoIis club has beautiful new quarters
and the greatest OF winter indoor sports
promises 70 be very popular The first
game of the season in Indianapolis was
played last night in the new auditorium on
Virginia avenue While Indianapolis lost
10 Richmond by a score of TO 2, those VINO
witnessed the game seemed well satisfied
with the men selected TO wear the IT this
season.
The Auditorium rink Is the finest in the
West The building was well filled last
evening. about 1900 spectators being pres
ent TO see the opening game. Every seat III
the large auditorium furnished an unop-
structed view of the playing floor. The
rink was brilliantly lighted and Wen neat
cd. in striking contrast TO the rink In the
old Cyclorama building last winter, where
few OF the faithful would gather anc wit
ness the games. In the large crowd last
night were many persons who had never
before witnessed a polo game Dut they De-
came enthusiastic rooters before the first
period was ended. The stockholders or the
Indianapolis Polo Association are TO be
commended for their perseverance ana
nerve. In the face OF losing proposition
last winter they have gone to great expense
IN furnishing a beautiful and expensive
rink for The games shis sly year, ar ana the sea-
There is no other game that anords sucn
violent exercise. 1t is even more strenuous
than football. and the players should pc
In the best possible shape to play through
out the three periods without showing
great signs OF weakness. Because or lack
OF practice the members or both the lndl-
annapolis and Richmond teams showed they
were all in before the period was over.
The pace at the start OF the game was a
fast one, and the Richmond players, having
had the advantage OF more practice and a
game on Monday night. were In better
shape. and they cut out pace that threat
ened to annihilate the Indianapolis boys.
In the first period the visitors scored snree
goals, and II was a case OF the Indians
making an uphill fight. Indianapolis scored
two goals In the second period. and lie
third was desperately contested, with
The fact that Indianapolis lost the nrst
game should not be discouraging, nor should
It show that Richmond Is stronger than
the home team. although the Quakers are
very fast The rink was not completed
until late yesterday afternoon. and there
was no chance TO practice before the game.
A few of the Indianapolis players had the
benefit OF few days practice at Anderson
last week. but Pierce did not arrive in
Indianapolis until Monday night
Great things are predicted OF the lndi-
annapolis players in team work soon as
they get in form and have the benefit OF
practice and few games. Pierce and Nc
Gflvray, the rushers. play a different sort
OF game than that played by Hipscn and
Gavitt. The cover point game will not be
much in evidence, as both the Indi-
annapolis rushers are fast floor workers
and they believe they will be able TO cage
more balls than by McGilvray playing the
cover point They showed little team work
last evening, but this Is excusable because
of lack of condition and practice. Captain
Way and Coggshall took care Of their re.
spective positions in admirable style, and
when they get In shape they will put up g
strong defense.
Bannon's work at goal elected the admira
ton of the spectators and he gives promise
OF making good his reputation the great
est OF goal tenders. Three drives got by
him In the first period largely because hi:
eye - not yet well trained. His work dur
ting the remainder OF the game was excel
lent and he guarded the cage against the
0uakers vicious drives.
Rfchmond's floor work was fast and not
withstanding they won the visitors wer'
outplayed by the Indians Doherty. JessuI
and Mansfield afforded good defense, whil
Bone and Cunningham played well. but il
the last part of the game their team play!
were easily broken up by the Indians anS
they were put on the defensive most of tn
time.
Referee Klobedanz was little inclined t
be liberal because IL was the first game ant
he overlooked few fouls In the las
period he made the players observe tn
rules and refused to call time when Wa,
left the floor temporarily. 1t Is to be hope'
that he will be as strict against other team
as he was against indianapolis Line-ul
and summary: