The University Courier.
45
ATHLETICS.
SATURDAY'S GAMES. — Yale 4, Boston League 4; U. of P. 6, Philadelphia League 7; Princeton 4, New York League 6.
THE GAME WHICH was to have been played tomorrow between the Kansas City team and K. U. was cancelled by manager Harding, by command of the advisory committee. We will be unable to meet the "Blues" this year, which fact we deeply regret. They have been playing exceptionally good ball and no doubt a game with them would have been of the greatest benefit to our team.
WE DO NOT want to cry over spilt milk but we have often wondered who laid out McCook field in such a clumsy manner. The grand stand is just where it ought not to be. The ball ground is situated in the very spot where the worst ball ground on earth is situated. Everything about the field seems to be misplaced. The only excuse that we can find for the arrangement is that the person who did the work must have been like the Populists "agin" everything a sensible person might suggest.
THE ATHLETIC BOARD should take steps at once for the organization of class teams. As the University team will probably be unable to play any games, we should have class games. Of course it will be almost an endless job on account of the lack of enthusiasm among the students for athletics. Let us not say die just because we receive no encouragement in the management of our own affairs from above. Let us organize class teams. Let us not only organize but let us fix up a schedule and play. Something must be done to stir up interest. Are we going to take a back seat when we have always been in front! That is just where we are drifting and we must stop.
THE TEAM HAS not been picked as yet but we think that the men and their positions will be as follows: Kelsey C., Smith P., Mitchell 1, Matteson 2, H. Hogaboom 3. Williamson S., Alden L., Chamberlain C., R. Hogaboom R.
MESSRS. MOODY AND MATTISON were in Kansas City last Saturday to confer with the authorities of the Western Athletic Association about the collegiate field day which is to be held May 30th at Fairmount Park. There has been some difficulty in getting the Universities of Nebraska, Iowa and Missouri to enter, and it was thought for a while that the project would have to be given up. But the Western Athletic Association is willing to put up the cup even if there are only two teams contesting. It is thought that Nebraska will enter against us and probably that when the other Universities see that it is going to be a certainty they will send teams. The field-day will be a regular thing after this and no doubt by next year all of the Universities will send good teams and the interest in the event will be fixed.
THE FOLLOWING is the list of events given out for the intercollegiate field-day: 100 yd. dash, 440 yd. dash, 880 yd. dash, 1 mile run, relay 1 mile, standing broad jump, standing high jump, running high jump, running broad jump, putting the shot, throwing the hammer, base ball throw, 1 mile bicycle, hitch and kick, pole vault. Wresting—Heavy weight (over 158), middle weight (over 135), light weight (under 135). Boxing—Heavy weight (over 158), middle weight (over 135), light weight (under 135).
The wrestling and boxing exhibition will be given in some Opera House in the evening.
"CAN A SPRINTER actually increase his speed, or does he make his increase by getting off the mark more quickly?
"He can increase his speed very much, and moreover, can increase his indurance, which amounts to the same thing. Mr. Murphy, the trainer at the Detroit Athletic Club and at Yale University, who has turned out more first-class sprinters than any other trainer in the world, makes endurance a regular part of his exercise for sprinters. Several of his hundred yard men, who have not had natural bottom enough to do well at the long dash, have been trained into excellent
endurance. Richards, who won both dashes at the inter-collegiate last spring, was originally of very little use in the long sprint, but has trained down to even time in practice."March Outing.
THE ADVISORY BOARD of the Athletic Association at their meeting last Wednesday passed resolutions prohibiting the ball team from playing any games with professional teams. No reason is given for this other than it was to follow some policy which they have outlined. We would like to be informed as to just what the power of this board is in regard to the management of the ball team? We understood that they had power to advise and not to dictate. If we are wrong we stand informed of our mistake. It seems that the management of the base ball team which has heretofore been in the hands of the students is to be taken from them. The manager of the team has tried to get a game with other than professionals but his efforts have been fruitless. We can see no harm whatever in playing ball with a professional team even when you can get games with other people, let alone when you cannot. Yale, Harvard, Princeton and U. of P. have been playing professional teams for two weeks. We know of no college where such a mode of practice is not allowed. We have to have games to have a team. Do men want to get out and work every night just to play two or three games? What incentives are you going to offer to ball players other than good games? Men like to go to an institution where they have good teams. What will K. U. have to show in that line when her team is forced to cancel six good games and disband. It might be all right for some University to take this step where University teams are plentiful. Surely not in our case where we have not two good teams in the state. We do not claim to know any more than anyone else what is best for a ball team in our University, but we do want to see a good team here. We want a team that can play ball. We have splendid material to work with if we could only be allowed to work. The athletics of K. S. U. will never be on a firm basis as long as the students are held down. What can a manager accomplish if his plans are knocked out at every turn? What work can a captain get out of a crowd of dissatisfied men? How on earth are you going to get the students out to poor games? Which would be better, a good ball team playing with good teams, everybody interested coming out to McCook field and getting exercise; or no team at all, McCook field neglected, enthusiasm completely buried, general dissatisfaction and a falling off the attendance of our athletes next year? Which? We say a team by all means. We are in a University of the front rank and we want to have a team of which we are proud. We want to show show the people of Kansas that we can play ball. Let us have games! Let the students run their department! They are more than capable.
NOTES.
Fred King will not play foot ball next fall.
The McCooks were defeated at St. Joseph Sunday.
Yale defeated the Boston League team Friday, 7 to 4.
Smith has returned and will be in good pitching trim in a few days.
Kansas City and St. Louis played three very pretty games last week.
Williamson is at home sick. This is very unfortunate as he is one of the best men on the team.
The ground was rolled last Tuesday. We have strong hopes that the diamond will be laid off in a week or two.
We do not know what on earth we would write about if the team were to disband and we would have no games.
All the men of boxing fame are beginning to practice.
Troxel will probably be barred in the boxing exhibit at Kansas City.
The ball teams of the eastern colleges are unusually strong this spring.
Spelman was angry because Wynn beat him for scorer. He says all that remains for him is the pie eating contest.
The faculty has a challenge on the board for any class in the University.
Fred King will not play foot ball next fall.
The McCooks were defeated at St. Joseph Sunday.
Yale defeated the Boston League team Friday, 7 to 4.
Smith has returned and will be in good pitching trim in a few days.
Kansas City and St. Louis played three very pretty games last week.
Williamson is at home sick. This is very unfortunate as he is one of the best men on the team.
The ground was rolled last Tuesday. We have strong hopes that the diamond will be laid off in a week or two.
We do not know what on earth we would write about if the team were to disband and we would have no games.
Troxel will probably be barred in the boxing exhibit at Kansas City.
All the men of boxing fame are begining to practice.
The ball teams of the eastern colleges are unusually strong this spring.
Spelman was angry because Wynn beat him for scorer. He says all that remains for him is the pie eating contest.
The faculty has a challenge on the board for any class in the University.