The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-12-27
Sporting Gossip happenings
INTERESTING GOSSIP OF POLO
IN THE TWO BIG LEAGUES
Western Race Is Very Exciting 7oih All Of Six Clubs HaOng
GOOd Chance TO Go to First

any athletic event and the lend is not
yet"
Many games in both the Western and
Central leagues are won by point margin.
In many eases fans will see, on looking
through the summary. that goal was made
in anywhere from one to four seconds. ac-
cording to the quality Of rubber used in the
composition of the stop watches used by the
official time keepers The only way in
which a goal can be made in the space OF
time named is for or the other OF the
rushers 10 jump the referees whistle and
drive from center or near the cage carrying
the ball with him from the spot. The mag
mates of both leagues should demand from
the officials that the referees be given at
once definite instructions toward the reme-
dying of this evil. The race for the cham
pionship is close and interesting. II the
first position should rest on the result Of
one game the fans residing in the home
of the team that captured second place
could doubtless recall many instances where
their favorites had lost a game by one goal
where the tally was registered by an oppos-
ing rusher getting a big lead on the rush 10
the center. And the fans would not be
backward about recalling these instances.
=
Secretary David Durbin Of the Western
Polo League, is in the East chasing polo
referees" 1t will be remembered that both
Klobedanz and Redding have resigned and
this makes at least one new referee a ne
cessity. AS was predicted in the Journal
Al Mock, OF Elwood, signed a Western
eague contract and has easily made good.
Nj. Durbin is now in Boston and Will prob
ably sign either Billy Lush, the well-known
ball player, or Charles Keough. who is now
refereeing in the Eastern League. Both are
said TO be good men. Tom Connely, who
Is the best polo referee in the country to-
day, will not come West for the salary
offered.
Charley Kerrigan, the little utility man
of the Indianapolis team, deserves a great
deal of credit for the game he has been
playing when called upon TO take the place
of one of the other players. Kerrigan plays
a cover-point game, and in several in
stances game has been registered In the
'game-won" column for the Indians on a
goal Gagged by Kerrigan. vicious back
hand slap by the little Irishman nestled the
ball in the Elwood draperies after five
minutes overtime play in this city last
Thursday night. Captain Harry Way or
the Indianapolis team, ordered kerrigan
into the contest at the close of the second
period in this instance. The score at that
time was a tie, and the local half back
dressed and left the rink without waiting
to see the final outcome of the contest.
Allie Coggshall. playing center for Indian
apolis, has been playing wonderful game
the past few weeks, as has Nick McGil-
y,
contest with Anderson in this city Cogg-
shall blocked the mighty Wodtke time af-
ter time and the Flying Dutchman" is
known as one of the hardest men playing
polo to-day to stop when he comes down
the floor. Nick McGilVray is covering the
floor I'm a manner so elusive and deceivlng
to the opposing defense players that they
do not know where TO look for him. he
and Pierce team well together despite the
statements made by two OF the players
in the Western League prior TO the opening
OF the season. The two players IN ques-
ton Zone of Richmond and one OF Muncie)
are being delightfully."- fooled.
Secretary Harry o. Bronson. of the Gen.
trail League, will compile the official aver
ages of the players in the minor organiza-
ton shortly after the first of the year. La
fayette has played but one game at home
and for this reason it would not be good
policy TO compile the averages for some
time.
Some time ago the Western League off,
Gals and magnates met in Anderson and
decided that all goal tenders should wear
masks for their own protection. 1t was
made imperative and word was given out
that the cage guardians would be supplied
the articles inside Of two weeks. over one
month has passed and Bannon, OF Indian
apolis is still the only player who wears
mask The officials taking a backward
step when they allow the players 10 die
tate The officials of an organization Of any
kind are supposed 10 rule supreme and
when the time comes that the players can
run things to suit themselves IL is time 10
call a halt. Now il is up to- the officials
TO instruct the goal tenders of the Western
League to provide themselves with masks
and that at the first possible moment. IL
they do this the majesty of the league will
be upheld. If not, let them elect a new set
of officials, picked from the players.
The officials of the Central Roller Polo
League will meet at the Imperial Hotel in
this city. this afternoon. The schedule OF
games arranged for New Years day will
be changed. and other matters OF impor-
lance to the league will be discussed Rep
resentatives from all clubs have been in
structed TO report BY President Foor.
The first matinee game Of the season will
be played in this city next Friday after
noon between the Indianapolis and Elwood
teams. The game will be called at 3 o'clock,
the amateur contest starting at 2 o'clock.
The Elwood team will also play here on
Saturday night OF this week. This will be
the third appearance of the Grays in this
city I'm just ten days. There is something
radically wrong In the Western League
schedule as il now stands. The indianapolis
people are not so crazy over the game that
they will come to see the same team three
times in ten days. although a record-break-
ing crowd is looked for on New Years
afternoon. The local lovers OF polo have
not yet been educated TO witnessing a con-
tinuOus performance. Indianapolis plays at
Anderson on New Years night.
Secretary Harry Cohen. Of the Indanapo-
lis Roller Polo Association. will receive a
definite answer to-day from Walter Mer-
laugh, of Bath, Me, with whom he has
been negotiating for several days. Mer-
laugh will. If signed. play on the defense
of the Indianapolis five. and IL reports re-
ceived from the East are To be believed he
is a star player.