Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1922-11-22
HOPPE REGA|NS
BILLIARD TITLE
Defeats ch a m pion Jake
Schaefer, 500 to 2s3, in Final
for 1872 RaIkline Honors
RALLIES IN FINAL INNINGS

New York, Nov. 22.---Willie Hoppe
has reganed his balklinc crown. In
n match filed with daring play IN
which his gathering shots stood fortn
the old champion made his sensational
comeback By defeating Jake Schaefer'
winner of the title year ago at Chi-
cago, by the score Of 800 10 2S3 In the
final match of the international ~
balkline billiard championship tournn
ment IN the grand ballroom of the liote!
pennsylvania. :,
1oppe came from behind ut Il critical
stage of the contest when Schaefer led
him by more than 100 points. At the
close he put together massive runs "t
1873, and an unfinished 10G that marked
his return rs the reigning monarch of
caroms. lioppr's winning average w.
II S.12 and his other high runs III
and 40. Scharfcr's average was 23 Il!
with runs Of GS and ~. On the whole
Hoppe was somewhat uncertain "t
stroke a. times. bnt he made up Ter
this by his remarkable ability TO play
cushion shots OF infinite variety.
HOpp"'s grand average was 3I.S while
Schncfer takes second prize by HIS
grand average of 1921.
During The tournament Hoppe
strained ligament in his right arm aud
could not make Il lnasSc shot without
great pain and drlibrrution. lie never
complained Of this, however. relying on
banking. driving and forced draw and
follow shots. On occasions when he
was compelled to masSn. he fd,iied his
cue for such lengths Of time that it up
set the spectators.
Never F'altered
But Hoppe never faltcrsI in those
nerve. .ra"king moments and. while he
was forced 70 abandon the delicate
nursing game. his mastery at open hill.
liards carried him through. Consider
| Ing the fact that he played the open
game almost exclusively. his runs were
remarkable.
Immediately after his victory he nut
to rest reports that he would retire.
said. "
Hoppe mndr II evident that there was
still stin backbone 10 his play. what
ever might be the trouble with his arm
A masterful cluster of 1SS attested this
OIL his eleventh turn mt the table. II
, was in its chief elements 4 mnsterpicct
in the way Of dradball driving. Curl
ously enough. ii was n shot of this dc.
| scription that eventually brought thr
run 10 an tllu. lie hau ShOt in which
the, cue ball only had to move three
inches.
Hoppe Runs 1873
still he failed to make the ,listanc,
| and gave way to Schaefer. The high
spot in this imposing collection, and i!
! was all built upon his skill at gathering
| shots. was Il great bank half the widtl
OF the table for tn" G'd count. Two
| wonderful spread draws added bril-
liancy to the G1th and 6Sth talies. re-
spectivelr. AZ % Hoppe was rolling
the orbs so dcIirately that they froze.
lie determined upon respot.
Then he went along with the
worries in close formation on the lower
end Of the table until n wonderful
draw to the cushion at 13S again Sc:
the crowd applaudins. The great
play. two tallirs later. brought off n
great follow->hot, and he was playing
strongly when he missed lie had dis :
tnnced Schaefer again. lIoppe's final
total standing at 39I 10 the ..::1S for the
, champion.
While Hugro. SPOT ha.l--.0 II; g IS ! n Is
81 lss. lOj (unfnlaheGL Total! 500