New-York tribune., 1907-09-30
COMMENT ON SPORTS.
THE CUP CHALLENGE.
Nezcs and Viezcs on Current Topics,
amateur and Professional.


nothing has aroused such widespread interest,"
perhaps as Sir Thomas Liptons fourth chal-
ienge for the Americas Cup, and its refusal last
week by the New York Yacht Club for reasons
that are considered sufficient by majority OF
American yachtsmen- Judging from some pup
lished expressions abroad, however, our Engllsh
cousins are not entirely satisfied with the STAND
taken by the governing members OF the New
York Yacht Club The idea that the gro
tesquely unequal conditions are not worthy OF
further consideration appears to have become
SO exaggerated that there is some DOUBT IL any
foreign yachtsman will make effort TO sue
ceed where Sir Thomas Upton has failed. Here
in lies the danger of losing for ali time he
renewal of the great battle of single stiCkers for
the blue ribbon trophy of the seas Races for
the Americas Cup have been productive WIN
one exception, of good sport and good feeling
They have served as a stimulus to yachting. and
created a broader fellowship between the
vachtsr1sn Of the two countries. It would be q
pity therefore. from the point Of view OF those
interested in international sport if the trophy
should go out of competition for the reason that
the Interpretation Of the deed Of gift by the New
York Yacht Club is considered unfair by yachts-
men abroad.
The governing members OF the New hoTh
Yacht Club and the trustees OF the Cup cannot
be accused of a lack of sportsrnansllp IN reluo-
ing a challenge If that challenge does not con-
form in their ouinion to the spirit and the let
ter Of the rules in the deed Of gift Sir IhoIhas
himself is quoted saying: i must say nave
never met a better set of sportSIlleI IneN nave
met me IN every way possible and done every
.b,~g suggested until now" Neither is II fair
to accuse Sir Thomas Upton, who has proven
himself a thorough sportsman and a good loser
IN the past of forcing the New York Yacht Cltlo
into a position that would make him the IN
iured marty in the eyes OF those who are not
thoroughly conversant with the deed Of gift ana
for all il stands
By the nature Of things the challenger must
overcome distinct handicap in building a yacht
~
then race in strange waters and under varying
and unfamiliar conditions. against a mere rae
ing machine that is anything but Wholesonle
type and in which everything has been sacrl-
feed for speed. This is no reason. however, for
opening the doors 10 a special and limited type
of Yacht and so establish a precedent which
might in time rob the race Of the dignity ana
Importance which has ever attached TO the
greatest Of aquatic struggles But the way can
he made clear for another race with S0-foot
boat under the universal rule, so called, If the
trustees of the cup DO not stand for all time on
the latest Interpretation. which seems 10 indi-
cate that no challenge can be considered under
The new rule
PROFESSIONAL BASEBALL
Never IN the history Of professional baseball
in the major organizations has there been a
fight for q pennant equal TO the one now be-
ing waEed In the American League between
Philadelphia and Detroit Until the first of last
week both Chicago, the present worlds cham
riors and Cleveland had to be considered in the
struggle Ctcw it has narrowed down 10 the
Athletics aud the Tigers, This afternoon they
meet in 2 double header, and before the day IS
over without a doubt, the pennant race Will
haze been decided This morning Detroit's
standing is .6aS with 81 games won and 56 lost
while Philadelphia has sol. with So games won
and 50 lost Unless the Athletics take both
OF the games this afternoon IL is almost certain
that Hughey Jennings viii have the honor of
winning the pennant. II the Tigers are sue
cessful to-day their troubles will be nearly over.
for their remaining games are with Washington
and St Louis Philadelphia viii have play
Cleveland and Washington before the season
ends All things considered. Detroit looks TO
be the American League champion for 1907.
Weeks ago Hughey Jennings and his players
were favored in this column 20 win the pennant.
The little manager has had hard row 70 hoe,
but he has done his work nobly, and certainly
deserves 10 win His team has made a wonder
tll record away from home. That Jennings IS
responsible FOR the fine showing Of his is
evident when IT IS remembered that the PLAYERS
now fighting for the championship are the same
ones that were the team a year ago. In
fact the team has not the services of Mcintyre.
one Of fits best batters a-~year ago. There Is
very little difference between the playing ability
Of Detroit and Philadelphia. but The Tigers are
brirrful Of grit and enthusiasm. and that is why
they are in the lead ar the present time. If
Detroit and the Chicago Cubs meet for the
worlds championship there will be great fight,
and Il would be surprise 20 some II Detroit
came out ahead. Rain is the only thing which
can prevent two great battles at Philadelphia
to-day.
COLLEGE BASEBALL.
The Dartmouth athletic directors took drastic
action last week when they decided TO debar ten
members Of the baseball team from competing
in any form Of athletics for the remainder Of
their college careers because they played sun
,ner" baseball. Few cases are recalled where as
severe measures have been taken for similar Of
fences This rule is often broken by college
ball players, and IL is seldom that the offenders
are brought TO account Thus the action
Dartmouth seems particularly harsh. That the
college president in full accord with the
action is evident by his address at the opening
Of the institution when he said: u would
fine athletic games 10 games which have out
side market value unless can make the price
we paw. and which do pay most liberally,>a
sufficient reward-nanely. college honor"
GOLF
Golfers are gratiied over the recent dispatch
from abroad TO the effect that Charles B. Mac
donald. Of this city. had been invited 10 become
q member OF the rules of golf committee Of
she Royal and Ancient Club of St Andrews.
The action, however. was somewhat surprising.
following. il did the unofficial decision Of
the committee on September "a. which said
20 be opposed American representation. At
this time II is impossible TO say what the out
come will be To begin with. the action was
unlocked for by the officials of the United States
Golf Association, especially specific
quest had been made by the American body
for personal representation the St Andrews
rulcs committee It also seerps as if the Royal
and Ancient Club might have requested the
United States Golf Association to name a rep
resen5ative instead of making selection of its
own As the matter noHs stands. the American
body IS Placed in a peculiar position. and there
can be no Improvement in the situation until
official word is received from abroad. So far
naming Mr.. Macdonald is concerned the