The University Courier.
53
ATHLETICS.
THE TRIPLE LEAGUE consisting of the teams of Yale, Princeton and Harvard is broken up. The colleges will all meet upon the ball field, however.
THE CONSTANT EFFOTS of the COURIER have at last been rewarded. The diamond at McCook field is at last in very good shape. The hills have been rolled so that the slope is ever so much more even, and the ditches have been partially filled up. We have only one thing to regret and that is that the management did not fix up the out field while at work on the infield. The holes should be filled up, as the logs that are laid across the tops might roll away and leave them exposed. This might result in a very serious accident.
SOME OF OUR bright youths who cannot play ball well enough to play two old cat are complaining because the management saw fit to place this or that man on the team. Such men as they should not be allowed on McCook field. They have no college spirit, no traits of gentlemen, no spirit of fairness, in fact no sense. They are a narrow-minded, ignorant class of individuals, and it is hard to see why they were even allowed to enter the University. Men who will run down their own college nine to every one they may meet are sneaks, and they are not good enough to belong to our institution.
PRESIDENT ELIOT SAYS: "Athletic sports * * * * have supplied a new and effective motive for resisting all sins which weaken or corrupt the body; they have quickened admiration for such manly qualities as courage, fortitude and presence of mind in emergences and under difficulties; they have cultivated in a few the habit of command, and in many the habit of quick obedience and intelligent subordination; and finally they have set before young men prizes and distraction which are uncontaminated by any commercial value, and which no one can win who does not passess much patience, perseverance and self control."
THE TEAM HAS been doing hard work this last week and I think with good results. The fielding of the team seems to have improved very much. The throwing is a little off color as yet but will be all right in a day or two. The men have not had much practice at batting, but after the rugged work of the out fielders is smoothed down more time will probably be given to that part of the work. The men are a little soft yet and cannot accomplish as much as they ought in an hour. The team should have at least two hours of good practice every day. But if the team improves as much this week as it did last, I think that there is no need to fear for the outcome.
HARRY F. KENDALL SAYS in the last number of Outing: "If coming events really cast their shadows before, one may rest assured, judging merely from the shadows, that there will be a decidedly healthy revival of base-ball in the Middle West this spring. It is to be regretted that among the larger colleges and universities there are no leagues or associations, and that there is consequently a dearth of college enthusiasm. This has been the case also in foot-ball, and for that reason more than for any other, the western game has been deficient in that win-or-die spirit which characterizes the eastern game, and the lack of which make the western game in a degree testless."
WE ARE DELIGHTED to learn that the advisory board of the Athletic Association kindly "took back" part of their command. It was really kind and noble of them to do this, even though it was too late to get the "Blues" for Friday. How did the advisory board know that they would change their minds? If they had they would not have told Mr. Harding that they could not allow professionals to play our team, and that he must cancel the game. Now we can play professional teams in Lawrence but not away from home. We think that this is a great deal better, but not entirely satisfactory as yet. If the advisory board would rescind their order altogether it might be better.
THE MEN WHO are candidates for the athletic team should come out more regularly. One night a week is not enough to perfect a man no matter for what he is in training. Why is it so hard for our athlets to get out for an hour a day and do a little work? Why is it so hard to work good and faithfully when you are in the field? Capt. Coleman has left school but that is no sign that we will have no team. Mr. Cowan is at the field ready and willing to aid or instruct. Come out! You owe it to our University and to yourself.
NOTES.
Archie Hogg will umpire the game Saturday. The nine picked out bats at Smith's last week. The seniors were out practicing Tuesday night. All the colleges except Harvard will make spring trips. Don't forget the game Saturday, admission only 25 cents. Where is Missouri? Can't they play base ball over there? Smith and Kelsey will be in the points for K. U. Saturday. A new player's bench is the latest acquisition at the ball park. Stagg will not play on the Chicago University team this spring Westervelt, the crack amateur of the middle states, has signed
Stagg will not play ... Westervelt, the crack amateur of the middle states, has signed with New York.
Kedzie, the ex-Yale catcher, will captain the team of Northwestern University.
The Betas have accepted the challenge of the Phi Psis for a game of base ball.
One good thing about Baker is that they surely know when they have enough.
The Yale Law School nine will no longer be represented among college teams.
What has the tennis committee done about courts? Something ought to be done at once.
Nebraska is still shy about entering her athletic team against us at Kansas City, May 30th.
Spellman says that his chance has come at last. He is going to carry bats for the Beta nine.
The Big Four League—Michigan, Minnesota, Wisconsin and Northwestern—is a thing of the past.
Manager Harding had a new suit bought for Saturday's game, but as it rained he did not spring it until Monday.
The Kansas City Reds is the strongest amateur team in Kansas City and our boys will have to work hard to win.
Midland College, after telling so much about their great ball nine, will probably not be able to meet anyone this spring.
Midland College seems to be anxious to play tennis with some institution. K.U.would like to send a team against her men.
Where is Baker? We have not heard of that place for quite a while. It seems strange not to hear them "blow" about something.
Base ball in the New England College League seems to be in a very flourishing condition. Amherst, Dartmouth and Williams are all confident of victory.
Candidates for the faculty team met at McCook field for practice last Wednesday. There were three of them and a manager. The faculty is about as hard to push as the boys.
BASE BALL!
K. C. REDS vs. K. S. U.
K. C. REDS. K. S. U.
McCOOK FIELD, SATURDAY, APRIL 21.
Admission, 25c.
Every Student Should Be Present.