The Salt Lake tribune. [volume] (Salt Lake City, Utah) 1890-current, 1906-06-17
FAvORITE BRITISH
GAME THREATENED
Baseball Bids Fair to Supplant
Cricket With Sportsmen
Across the Atlantic.
QUESTION Is, WILL STICK
SUPPLANT THE WILLOW
organizations Being Effected to
Encourage Development of
Americas Sport.
Tribune Special Sporting Service.

Spcclhl SerNlce-
NEW YORK. June l6.-l2nglard's fa-
vclite pastlme Is threatened. and
baseball bids fair to supplant cricket
with the sport-loving Britishers. Re-
peAted attempts have been made 10 In
troduce Americas national game in
Albion. but the conservatism OF the
Englishmen stood In the way OF such a
radical departure and the rupture and
smashing OF traditions which have
stood the test for over two centuries.
The entering wedge has been driven in
and several meetings have recently
been held for the purpose OF effecung
permanent organization. the objects
or which Is the encouragement and de-
velopment OF the national sport OF
America. At the last meeting OF the
promoters OF the sport. held at the
Charterhouse Hotel, I'm London. the
chairman prophesicd that before the
end of the summer a twenty-club base
ball league would be formed and Eng
lishmen VIII be playing ball as It Is
played in the United States. though not
quite the same quality.
Afraid to Play Behind Bat.
a month ago, for the first time In
the history OF baseball in England,
game was played In London between
teams composed entirely OF English
men, with the exception of the catch
ers, who were Americans. Inability or
timidity on the part OF the British
players to go behind the bat made II
necessary TO put experienced men In
the catcher's position.
Who Contestants Were.
The contestants were the Monde
script and Woolwich Arsenal teams.
both of which are members OF the re-
Gently organized league, Not counting
the few Inaccuracies, such as the fall
ure OF the scorer to keep record OF
all the runs made, the result was % TO
3. in favor OF the WoolwIch team. In
spite OF the drizzling rain there was
big crowd on hand TO witness the game.
Many Americans visiting London were
among the spectators. Wet grounds,
combined With the inexperienced han
ding of the ball, was the cause of loose
fielding on both sides.
College Men Taking Up Game.
Following this, two teams represent
Ing oxford and London University
were opponents in a game played at
Plaistow, an eastern suburb Of Lon
don, and a team composed OF Amcri-
can Rhodes scholars at Oxford UnlVer-
slty Will play a series OF six games
IN LOnuOn InlS rIlOnlIl III pIhNI W iil'AN
thoroughly Introduce the game In the
metropolis The employees of the firm
OF Vickers' Sons & Maxim, the we'll
known engineering works, have formed
a league Of four clubs. 1t is also pro-
posed to organize a number Of Inter-
collegiate teams among the students at
the various colleges at oxford and
Cambridge, Not more than three
Americans Will play on one team, so
hot n number of DlpYGTS
viii be Englishmen.
Baseball Association Formed.
The formation OF the British Base
ball association has stirred up lot OF
enthusiasm, and the impression pre-
walls thar the game will become popu-
ler. What promises to insure the sue
cess OF baseball IN England is the fact
that the most prominent football clubs
are taking up the sport. AT the hrst
meeting OF the association representa-
tIves from the following clubs attend
ed: Tottenham Hotspurs, Woolwich
Arsenal, Chelsea Fulham. West Ham
and Milwall. Here It was that the
resolution was passed that the British
Baseball association be formed and the
motion was carried unanimously.
No Three-Day Ball Games.
Nelson P. Cook. an American from
v l.
ball could be played In two hours, and
that Il would not be heightened out
into three days play, as cricket is
with the result even then draw. This
was received with enthusiasm by the
crowd which was present at the meet
ing. Over one hundred representatives
OF various athletic clubs and organiza-
tons were present. eager to pick up In
formation concerning the game. Among
those present were many native Eng
lishmen who had witnessed baseball
played as II should be played, while
Visiting America.
Will Seek American Alliance.
II is the intention OF the new asso-
c!ation TO seek en- alliance with the
major leagues In America, similar 10
| that erranged by James +. sullivan be
! tween the American and English lead
! ing athletic organizations. 1t is eN-
! pected that an agreement Will protect
| the new British organization from out
law and troken-down players seeking
\ engagements in England and spelling
| the movement In It's inception. No
| American professional baseball player
/ will be signed by the clubs In the Brit
! ish association unless he is able to
/ show a clean bill OF health In the
/ shape OF an Endorsement from Presi-
! dent Pulliam or President Johnson,
Eun Those suffering from wbaz