Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1903-01-01


in The field Of local sport, but a keen IN
fercst has been manifested IN every line
of athletics both at home and abroad.
Football baseball ana golf have main
tanned their hold upon the virginia pub
lie, and golf Is steadily growing in popu-
iarity as the great fashionable outdoor
sport. Cross country riding and hunting
IS nowhere 50 numerously INDUCED IN
Is in Virginia. the land of the hunter
md Jumper AQuatics, q sport once pop
ular III this state. but which had fallen
somewhat into decline IN recent years,
was revived during the year and the race
between the Ariel Rowing Clubs four
Dared she'll from Baltimore, and the crew
Of the Virginia Boat Club served to de-
velop considerable rowing talent and
even Inors interest in the sport.
HORSE TO THE FRONT.
Perhaps no other sport has grown so
popular and become such a feature in
virginia during the past two years as has
riding and driving and the handing Of
ane horses. The rapid increase in the
number OF horse shows and the magni-
tude and scope Of those exhibitions has
given & great impetus to riding and driV-
ing as q sport and accomplishment. The
successful horse show in Richmond in
q guarantee OF that a capacious and
comfortable horse show arena or anphi-
theatre was erected. Nearly every town
and city in Piedmont and the VALLEY of
Virginia had its horse show. and ali were
creditabIc exhibitions and very success
fuI ones from the financial STANDPOINT.
That at Richmond carly in October was
the climax of the horse show season and
a brilliant social and sporting event.
Thousands attended and the building was
hardly capable of accommodating the
brilliant throng. The exhibits included
many Of the most famous horses in the
country and many blue ribbon favorites
of The countrys great horse shows.
THE DEEP RUN HUNT CLUE.
The Deep Run Hunt Club had its usual
spring and fail meetings and both We're
highly creditable entertainments. The
membership of the club embraces many
of the finest horsemcn and horscwomen
Ia the city and section and some of the
most brilliant performers among the
horses OF Virginia. The clubs hunt team
s one of the finest in the State. and its
members carried off ribbons at the shows
which they attended. The social feature
" the club is even more noteworthy in
rs success.
THE FASHIONABLE SPORT.
Golf is the fashionable outdoor sport
Il
ciles. II now numbers among its local
derotecs hundreds of the best-known
ladies' and gentlemen Of the city. The
Hampton Roads Golf Club near New
port News. the Petersburg Country Club,
The Norfolk Country Club, the Lynch
burg and Roanoke Golf clubs, and many
others III the State, are in f1ourishing
condition, and The outlook is promising
for a great State tournament. There are
several crack players among the Rich
Tnond golfers The sport is fast develop
ing into great popularity and will in
few years be much more generally
played.
In the line OF aquatics and rowing the
race between the Ariel crew Of Baltimore
and the Nirgnias of this city attracted
n large crowd and developed the fact
that the Richmond club has excellent
material for a winning crew, and des oite
lack of practice, the club made brilliant
showing against the wel-trained Balti-
more club. The widespread public inter-
est in the race has given such an impetus
10 the sport that a great regatta is in
prospect for the coming year. 1t is
hoped that all the cities that have had
crews years ago will renew rowing and
place competitors in the contest for the
cups Richmond is the logical and most
accessible point for the regatta, No
effort viii be spared to make it a success.
WITH THE TRAP SHOOTERS.
Trap shooting. always popular in Vir-
ginia. has taken on new life during the
past year. The State tournament held at
Lynchburg was largely attended, the
prizes and purses were valuable and the
records made were very fine. The mem
bers of the three Richmond clubs who
participated made fine records There
are many marlzsmen in Richmond and
Thousands Of clay targets are smashed
acre annually. In Mr.. Franklin Stearns,
Of this city, Richmond has one of the
finest trap shooters in the State and an
enthusiastic follower Of the sport. The
next tournament promises to be the
greatest yet held. both in number Of par
Elephants and the brilliancy OF the shoot
Ing.
BASEBALL AND FOOTBALL.
The sports of greatest popularity are as
usual baseball and foot ball, and foot
ball is fast be onling the competitor of
baseball in popular favor During the
year 1902. t!ds e was no baseball league
IN Virginia nor any in which Richmond
was represented. That there was inter
est in the game was abundantly mani
Tested by the series OF games PLAYED
here by the three local amateur clubs
known as the Tri-City League The
playing OF these amateur organizations
developed the fact that there is some
promising material in this city and
Petersburg and Manchester which will
soon or late find q place In the league
The attendance upon the games demon
strated the fact that Richmond is base
ball hungry. and that a good exhibition
IF the game will be profitable.
IN THE BIG LEAGUES.
Great interest was manifested among
focal followers Of the game in the PEN
aant races and the competitors of the two
major baseball leagues. The victory of
Pittshurg In the National League was
anticipated by many. but was not the
less gratifying to the many Richmond
friends OF that club. The fact that Jesse
Tannehill Sam Lever and Jack Ches-
bro. old Richmond fsvorites, were mem
oers OF The champion team. which for a
second time captured the flag in run
away race. The greatest interest how
ever, was in the American League men,
nant night, for it was early recognized