The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1913-12-09
auto POLO HERE
Sport Fans Given Three Con.
tests at Fair Grounds.
Benefit to Fund for New Base
ball Players.

The sport loving fans Of Topeka and
the surrounding community will be
given chance to witness the spectac-
ular sport auto polo, at the state fair
ground. for three days beginning Fri
day.
Ralph A. Hankinson. the originator
of the most spectacular sport in ex-
istence, has made arrangements with
the Topeka Baseball association to
stage these games here. The Topeka
Baseball association will receive half
! Of the receipts of these contests and
will use the money in purchasing play
ers to strengthen next years team.
Auto polo is a new sport. The peo-
pie Of Topeka have heard much con-
corning it but this the first chance to
two years ago and the teams. under
the management of Mr.. Hankinson
have staged contests in many OF the
leading cities of the country. They
have not failed to interest the sport
loving public in every particular and
the newspapers Of every city have en-
dorsed its sport as the most thrilling
game in existence.
The players and their equipment are
to arrive in Topeka today or Wednes-
day morning. They travel In tnelr own
private car. They will move this EQUIP
ment to the state fair grounds and be-
gin practicing for the opening contest
which will be staged Friday. THESE
contests will be staged in the quarter
stretch in front of the grandstand. The
game will be called at o'clock.
One team represents England and the
other represents the United States. In
tense rivalry exists between these play
ers as they receive salary on percent
age basis with a winning and loser part.
I'D to date, the American team has
won about 60 per cent. OF the games
played. which number about 100.
The New York press describes auto
polo as the twentieth century cyclone
and claims it too fast for the moving
picture camera. -
The game is played with two two
men teams. One of the men OF each
team drives the automobile. specially
constructed and the other is the mallet
man. The mallet man assumes any po-
sition possible on the machine which
will offer him any advantage In str1k-
ing the ball or preventing the oppos-
ing team from striking it. The game Is
played in five perioos divided into
ten minutes each.
Sport loving fans are promised all of
the desired. thrills for lightning activ-
ity. Small automobiles are used and
equipped with guards and other equip
ment which prevent their disablement
They often fall on their side or turn
turtle but the players right them and
resume play.
Inc UdSeOdl ldAS OIL Tic CITY SHOuAN
take advantage of the opportunity In
assisting the local association to raise
money to strengthen the team for the
1914 season as the performance dur
ing the coming season may have much
to do with the baseball future in the
city. They are promised an exciting
exhibition such as never has before
been witnessed.
These teams have played in Kansas
City. st. Joseph, New York where they
were a feature attraction for IS days
in Madison Square Garden, Detroit
Denver, Des Moines, Wichita, st. Louis
Atchison, Dallas where they were fea
Cleveland AID tnany others.
The newsbeys of the city will be
guests of the State Journal Friday az
ternoon. Tickets will be furnished
upon application at the State Journal
Office.