The Washington times., 1914-02-02
CUNTS Turning Into Stretch
in Struggle for HonOrS on
Alleys.
By KIRK C. MILLER.

Now that most of the laps in the
races among Washington's myriad
of duckpin and tenpin leagues have
been negotiated and the straight
away over which the teams will race
to the wire is in full view, a little
pure "dope" founded on present
standings and close observation of
the teams in an effort to ascertain
their actual strength, might he
apropos. Although the end of the
season comes, in many instances, as
short q space as six months, it can
not be assumed that the teams now
IN first place will necessarily finish
in that position, and it cannot be
taken for granted that the teams
further down in the race are DOOM
ed to stay under cover.
As is true in every great race, the
actual strength of a team = never
shown to its best advantage until the
final stretch is being negotiated and
his fact is indeed a prominent factor
80 be figured upon when looking into
the wind-ups of the bowling competi-
lions. In many cases the teams have
failed TO show that they are really alive
until they have realized that the end
8 near. and the time is ripe to display
their best talents. This feeling Is going
10 invade every Quint in every league,
no matter how remote, within the ap-
preaching two months, and, boys, then
and not until then, will the big" race
be on.
1t will be case of a test of metal,
both individually and by teams II VIII
be the one time in the season when the
5owlers will have to show the kind Of
material they are built of, and the
space between now and the opening of
baseball weather, holds forth hundreds,
yes, il might almost be said thousands,
IF pretty races down the alley, the re-
suits of which are going to stamp the
final brand OF ability on the cOntes-
Iants.
In some of the leagues, it is compare
lively easy at this time 10 foreSee the
winners, while the seconds and thirds
in the same circuits might lie between
half dozen teams. There are other
organizations in which almost anything
might happen in the standings over
night, but even these are bound to set
tie into some tangible stride and will
soon be numbered among those which
are gradually drawing their races to a
definite conclusion.
Over in the Georgetown Commercial
League, Freemans, should by consistent
rolling step up to the wire about one set
ahead of Arlingtons. The former team,
however. cannot afford to descend from
its rapid stride for the brief space of a
single game. for the Brewers will take
advantage o. the smallest loophoies, and
should easily finish second Mitchell,
Baltimore and Ohio. NJ. Baers and Mur-
taugh are furnishing an attractive race
midway in the league and either of
thsra may finish just inside the money.
No season in its history has seen the
close comDetition which has been the
rule in the National Capital League be-
tween two teams the Y. NJ. c. A. and
Palace uuints, since the very opening OF
the schedule. For a while they alter
mated between leadership and second
place. until early in December the asso-
Ciation Quint settled into first place and
las been there ever since. It has shown
its staying qualities to be Of iron during
its stay in the gilded chair and If no
reverse dope overtakes il, thc Y. NJ. {.
a. team should easily lead the others