Omaha daily bee., 1915-07-04
Judgments

today. The Gate City has
for many years been a recognized center
OF sporting interest, and has furnished
many bright AMI shining lights to all
branches Of undertaking. in the way of
sport, with the excertion OF pugillsm.
No really notable fighter ever went out
from here, but in every other depart
ment somebody of prominence mas
claimed Omaha for his home. 1t would
be tedious to call the roll, and the names
will readily recur to those who are at
all interested. For some years. aside
from base ball. tho great games in which
the public is interested have languisheC
here, but now seems to be approaching
a revival. and the sporting writer's of
the village will have home doings to oc
cupy their attention. And this is as II
should be, FOR q really live town is
magnet for men OF sporting blood; the
great game OF life is played by men
whose blood luns red and warm, AMI
these are always interested in trials OF
skill and endurance. no matter what
form they take. Therefore, the present
signs are welcome.
The speedway event will be the most
popular, because of the great interest
that is being taken in these tremendous
encounters. 1t Is not altogether the ma
chine in an automobile race; the man
at the wheel, the man beside him and
the men in the pits all have to do with
the fortunes of the race. At the wheel
must be q quality of cool daring and
intelligent skill OF the highest order. An
eyes that Is quick and a brain that is
quicker. with courage to follow ats
promptings. are absolutely essential to
the driver; his companion must know the
machine in every screw, and must be
able to tell to fraction just what 1t is
doing at the pits the men must know
their business equally well, be able TO
make shifts in tires. and perform other
necessary stunts as II by magic, and
must watch with unrelentlng vigilance
the progress OF the race in every inch of
the way, that the driver will always
know he is fully protected by his assis-
tants against preventable mischance
With ell these elements accounted for,
the race takes on the form of u COM
bat Of wits, in which the shrewdest and
most daring is victor. And this quality
gives it its hold on the popular mind.
It is surely a contest worthy to be listed
in the top line Of outdoor sports.
On the wrestling mat two giants,
strength and skill developed to the ut
most, with youthful vigor surging in
every vein and throbbing through every
artery, each nerve under perfect con-
troll, with a perfect coordination between
thought and action, will strive to their
top endeavor for mastery. 1t is a COM
bat. personal In all its aspects, but full
g. -
sport. 1t demands cool and connected
thought, strenuous endeavor and con-
tinual mastery Of all manly attributes.
and is not merely an exhibition q brute
strength, as the uniformed might sup
pose. The victor Will be crowned such
because he is better qualified than his
opponent to wear the laurel.
And base ball is the crowned king of all
the outdoor sports. 1t engages the at
tention Of more people than any other
game ever invented. It Is part OF the
education Of every American youth. and
each one. not hopelessly crippled. takes
part in the game at some time. Not all
can be skilled In its practice. but all can
understand and appreciate it's finesse
and in the blood OF men and women of
this country the germ of base ball is
firmly established 1t is the sport of
sports, the game Of games. and the rec
reation of proud and prosperous peo-
pie. And Rourke park should be jammed
this afternoon and tomorrow morning 10
see clever opponents of this great game
match their skin and vita.
President O'Neln will be in the city
soon TO arrange for the big booster day
that is beinS planned for the Western
league The date will then be fixed and
full announcement made. 1t will be an
occasion that should get liberal support.
for the Western league people have run
into an awful mess OF bad weather this
season and none worse than the Omaha
team has encountered. and they deserve
assistance for the reason that they have
Eameiy faced the loss in order to keel
the league alive.
You've got to give il to Marty Krug
he's kept the team fighting all the way
In the face of real announcement, and
II he doesn't meet with some real misfor.
tune he'll have the Rourke family righI
close 20 the top at the windup. The team
that beats Omaha this season knows q
has to play ball all the time.
One game doesn't make & season. bui
the opening performance OF Pas lates
acquisition, Mr.. North. suggests thai
maybe we have gotten a real right hand
pitcher at last At any rate. Des Moinei
DIDN'T compile any home runs off him.
Kruger should hunt up his hitting eye
again; It isn't nice 70 see him slipping
that way.