The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1909-09-24
PLEA FOR SHOWER
 BATHS AT PARK
How a Few Trifling and Not Costly Im' prOvements Would Stimulate Whole. some Sport

To the Editor of the Farmer-Sir:
 The track meet at Seaside Park last Saturday showed another splendid use to which Bridgeport's parks can be put. The trotting track, long in dis use, was put into nearly perfect shape by the kind order of the Park Com missioners. The on-1ookers had every opportunity to view every event with comfort from the bank of the boule- yard. The police department handled things efficiently. One of the out ot town competitors, tickled to death that Bridgeport was the only place in the State where such splendid facili- ties for athletics existed. It is true that no other city in the country comes to mind where games Of this sort championship events with worthy and financed successfully.
 Two things were wrong on Saturday, however. In the first place, the man. agement had no definite means of re- ceiving the shekels that were so gen. erously offered, and in the second place, no dressing or bathing facili- ties were offered the competitors.
 Regarding the former point, it might be mentioned that the expenses which amounted to a couple of hundred dol lars were met mainly by the commit tee getting busy. and interesting the
 
 tie was collected at the, field but not nearly as much as should and would have been collected had the manage ment been able to approach the spec tators in a more polite and direct way. Enough said on this point. Don't like to talk money, anyway.
 Play is an important factor in the life of a city like this. Clean sport, such as seen at the games on Satur- day, plays an important part in the citys physical and moral health. The competitors enjoyed a months training in preparation for their final efforts at the championships The spectators and officials enjoyed crack-a-jack afternoon, going home pleased with the fun they had had and the sunburn they had received.
 But the "afterwards'' was unpleas- ant for the competitor. There was no exhilarating shower-bath to clean his dust covered body; there was no com fortable place in which to slip into his clothes. The best he could do was to duck his head at the pump and retire to a dingy and dusty corner of the attic in one of the stables, before lay ing his trophy at the feet of his fair one.
 Many would take advantage of the track at the park and practice and exercise there regularly if they could get a good shower afterward. Those baseball and football men that practice there now would gain more and have a better time all around if they could peel off and clean up before going home It would cost the city a conn paratiyely small amount-to build and maintain al public locker room and a show er-bath or two. As it is now, MT. Keegan, the keeper, is kept busy "keepin' things for fellers."
 Good sport and play in the open air is essential to a city's best welfare. Bridgeport has plenty of open air, and can have the good competitive sport because the interest in it is known to exist. But the former is not made the best use of, and the latter is not indulged in for the simple reason that the medium does not exist. A dress ing room and a couple of shower baths near the track at Seaside are needed. Will not the Town Fathers have them installed?
 WOULD-BE ATHLETE.