New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-07-24
CRICKET MORE POPULAR.
Gr01ch of the Game IN This Country
-W0men Noe PLAY 1t.

Cricket has made a new play 10 become
popular sport in this city For half a century
It sought TO win the fancy of the New-York
popniace, but failed. It's only for English
men" men Of mature years used to say. IT'S
only for Old men" said the young bachelors.
Its too slow for US kids" said the boys and
so the quicker, more impulsve, more impetuous
game Of baseball remained as supreme as ever
some days ago. however. not a few New
Workers were astonshed to discover that cricket
possessed charms unknown TO the diamond
on the parade ground in Prospect Park a num-
Der Of young women appeared, each dressed in
q jaunty costume Of similar cut and not few
armed with fat, blunt clubs. which they swung
about airily. Curious crowds gathered, and not
few cnviOUs slances were cast in the direc-
Ton or the young men, dressed in white, who
seemed to have met the girls by appointment,
ara who were soon chatting and laughing with
them. one youth would bowl a bail along the
turf and the girls. one after another would
attempt 10 strike it. Each day the same scene
Was re-enacted, only the number Of players kept
increasing.
And SO the news got out that some Brooklyn
young women had organized cricket club the
first Of its kind in the country. and that on the
Fourth Of July they were To play match game
with men. The match was played. and al
though the girls lost the game they IL
several other ways. Several more young women,
who had hung back until they learned that the
men opponents were All bachelors fastened
TO join, and two Of the charter members were
rumored to have been surprised with offers
Of marriage. Now there is talk of another
women's club, in Manhattan which will play
its games in Central Park
Whether or not the girl cricketers prefer 10
play with bachelors, it is a fact that several
OF the mems clubs in this city have been re-
jurenated this summer by many new members
who are in their teens and tWeuties. At the
present zine, however the men players are
nearly all English. with only here and there
an American. On the other hand many Of
the members Of the newly organized Prospect
Park Ladies Cricket Club. although of English
parentage, are American born, and the Amer
lean dash with which they play. il is believed,
VIII also attract American youth and induce
lk-n also TO become cricketers.
For the reason, perhaps. that the quieter game
Of cricket which permits of intervals for re-
freshment, social converse and sleep suits more
nearly the temperament of the Phnadelphian
than the New-Yorker. the sport in that city
his attained a popularity which il enjoys no
where else in the United States In PhiIaael-
phia only is cricket played To any extent by
native Americans, and the clubs devoted to the
sport nave grown rich and become the poss S.
oIs OF handsome houses and grounds. Cricket
is played in most Philadelphia schools. just as
baseball is played by New-York students and
in this way the Quaker city has been instru-
mental in transpa ating the game to other parts
Of the country.
For example, a few Cornell students who
came from Philadelphia preparatory choo.s or
Gan-zed two years ago cricket team. which
was admitted last season 10 membership in the
intercollegiate Cricket League. The other col
leges represented are the University Of PennsyI-
wanna, Haverford, which is near Philadelphia
and Harvard. Haverford Won the pennant this
year, ana as the champion II has gone abroad
10 play the school cricket teams Of England.
Thus far Haverford has Won more games than
il has lost abroad. Leading citizens Of Phila-
delphia have also encouraged TIE game there,
and by offering prizes have sought TO raise the
standard Of its players nigh as possible. a.
j Cassatt, president OF the Pennsylvania and
also president Of the Merton Cricket Club Of
fered only few months ago q cup for the cham
piOnship Of the Philadelphia academies and high
schools The trophy is known the Merton
Cup.
II is in Philadelphia, too that cricketers have
arisen who have alarmed old England. AS the
result Of games between such leading clubs as