Indianapolis Journal, Volume 54, Number 94, Indianapolis, Marion County, 3 April 1904 — Page 6

jHE INDIANAPOLIS JOURNAL; SUND AT, APHIL 3, 1904. SPORTING SECTION. PART ONE., to Polo, Horse and Boxing Enthusiasts News of M'COY AFTER TITLE OF MIDDLEWEIGHT CLASS no OF THE I9C4 in null - - v--f..f. .v --v TO MELT .JAMES ETT Vehicle Seasoti In Indianapolis OCCURS This Week AT mi. ' a ? :. . ytr,' v. A -f! Former Champion Would Like Nothing Letter Than a Match with Old Rival. He Says He Wants to Defeat Placke Just to Show that He Is Still a Fighter. WANTS TO MEET FITZ CAN REPEAT HIS VICTORY

SPORTING SECTION.

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.Will Fight Corbett at Any Time and for Any Amount That May De Offered.

BOSTON, April 3. "B"b" Fitzdmmons has bcn in the city this week. The former champion seems to he in good health and fpirits anJ is quite as nimble In the ring as he ever was. "Sandy" Ferguson, who was once Fltzsimmons sparring partner, met "Fitz" on Tremont row. The Chel?ea strong boy told "Fitz" that he was anxious to meet him la a bout, and that a club at Philadelphia was ready to ofTer a big purse. Fitzsimmons would not commit himself at the time, but arranged with "Sandy" and his manager, "Aleck" McLean to talk the xnattr-r over. Fitzsimmobs Is anxious to Ec.-cure a match. Ills finances arc a bit low, he having, he said, loat STO.OjO in copper during the past year. In peakingof the coming battle between Jeffries and Munroe, he paid that there would he nothing of it, for Jeffries, he said, would dispose of Munroe in quick order. Fitzsimmons ha3 for a sparring partner "Bob" Armstrong, the colored heavyweight, and they give a clever exhibition. After tho setto Fitzsimmons received so many recalls that he made the following speech: "I suppose since you las saw me you have heard much which led you to believe that J am a lecrepit old man and that the sun has set on my day of glory in the ring. - "I think my looks deny all such rumors, but in order that there may bo no question In regard to my condition, I desire to say that I never was a better man, physically, than I am now. "The only reason I ever lost the championship was because of my hands failing to serve me. I have given them special care of late, and I regard them now as being in shape to do more effective punishment than "ever before. With this assurance, I want to say thdt I stand ready to match with any reputable fighter in the world barring no one. I believe that my record warrants me in believeiug that no one will make light of this assertion. "Ever since that memorable St. Patrick's day in IS;, whea the wreath of championship passed from James J. Corbett to me, Mr. Corbett has been claiming that if he had another opportunity he would 'demonstrate his superiority over me. "I now state here that 1 will fight James J. Corbett at any time, at any place and tor any amount that any substantial club may offer in this or any other country. "Iet htm say I am a fossilized old man, with crippled hands and broken down physique. Such a statement ought to receive no credence, and I kno it will not. Above' all things. I want to again meet Corbett and again prove that I am his master. There waa never any question about my victory over him, nevertheless he and his admirers have persistently tried to convey the Impression that 1 was afraid to meet him. I hope that these remarks will force him to either meet me or publicly admit that he is afraid to do so." 'EARLY TRAINING FOR BALL PLAYERS Why Athletes Should Be in Perfect Condition at the Opening' of the Season. Many baseball players neglect their spring training and are not In the best of shape when the early games are played. This, in many instances. is a great detriment to the team's chances of capturing the penriant, as a good start goes a long way toward deciding the winner of the race. When every player reports in excellent condition and the team starts out from the beginning on Its proper stride, the-men get confidence In their ability and manage to win a majority of the early games before their opponents come to life. Sandow Mertes, the famous second baseman of the New. York Giants, is one of the baseball stars who believe in being In firstclass condition when the opening game of the season rolls around. During the fore part of the season he lambasted the horsehide to all corners of the lot and rolled lip a nlco batting average. He said thU was mainly due to the fact that he .was In the pink of condition and had his "lamps" In- proper working order. Joe Corbett, who will twirl for St. Louis this summer, is also a firm believer in early spring training, and "Brother Joe" will be ready to step in the box as - soon as the season opens. ELLISON CAREFUL IN ENTERING HORSES KANSAS CITY. April 2. Charley Ellison, the noted plunger and owner of thoroughbreds, who will race his entire string here during the coming meeting, not only "dopes" the ponies, but also figures the weather conditions before he maps out his racing plans. A month ago. when Ellison was thinking seriously of racing his stable here, he began to figure on the Kansas City weather during the month of May. ' He thought that if an abundance of rain could be depended on, his mudders. Judge Hirnes and Captain Arnold, might have chances, but he could get no satisfaction on that point. Finally he unloaded his troubles on the Weather Bureau at Washington, and received in return the Kansas City weather records for the month of May for the last fourteen years. After careful perusal of this "dope" Ellison gleaned the fact that the average of rainy weather in Kansas City for the period stated in the month of "May was nine days. He then decided to ship to Kansas City. He thinks that he can dodge in between showers and win a rac2 occasionally. Ellison had it In mind to send a check to, the Weather Bureau, but he was advised that Uncle Sam's servants were not in the habit of accepting tips unless United States senators. Ellison said that he did not expect to do much with Judce Ulmes during the Memphis meeting, but that he would be badlv disappointed if the horse failed to finish first in the Elm Ridge handicap. Ellison said that he knew that ho would -win the big handicap If the track was heavy, and he was sure of a lookin. even if the course was as hard as asphalt. Q A. For Men's sl Fas Hi onable Wear Harry BusKirK Merchant Tailor 120 ilnglUH Hotel BlocH Monument Placo

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IIABICII POLO r LAYERS. Commercial Tolo League Champions.

HABICH TEAM FIRST II COMMERCIAL LEAGUE Earned Its Position at the Top of the Standing by Consistent Playing. LOST BUT OXE GAME The speedy Hablch team has already won the championship of the Commercial Tolo League for the season of 11.' 1. The Habichs this year defeated the Kahns, last season's champions, with seeming ease and they have earned their position at the top of the percentage column by clean and consistent playing. Frost and Varin on the rush line have proved a combination that no defense in the amateur loague could stop. Varin Is the best cover point player in the Commercial League, while Frost has no peer among Indiana amateur players on the firing line. He drives with terrific force and his shots are true for the cage H. Kenworthy and G. Ken worthy, at center and half back respectively, are two of the best men in th.-Mr positions that could be found, while Darby plays a good game at goal. The Habichs lost but one game this year and that when they were weakened by the, absence of one of their best players on account of illness. Manager Darby states that his team V-ill again be a member of the Commercial League next year. YEAR BOOK CAUSES 1 MUCH CRITICISM Trouble Over Wind Shields Has Been Carried Into the Records. NEW YORK. April 2. The Year Book of the American Trotting Register Association for l'JOU has been issued and to some horsemen It is not satisfactory. One particular feature is the "dlstln guishiug marks," which It was supposed would discredit all performances with wind or dlrtshield, and pacemakers in front. Lou Dillon, Dan Fatch, Frlnce Alert and Major Delmar In one or two tables have the "marks," but in others they have not. Just why this distinction without a difference Is made is mystifying horsemen. While it is known that "the powers that be'' crowned Maud S. (2:05) perpetual queen of the high wheel sulky, there is no mark Indicating this fact in the book. Another very serious weakness of the book, according to horsemen, is the fact that while the "big four' Lou Dillon, Dan Patch, Major Delmar and Prince Alert given "distinguishing marks," other horses which followed a pacemaker In front are not discredited by the marks. For instance, three sons of Gambetta Wilkes were given records at Memphis behind dirt shields, but there are no stars indicating the factThen, again. Cresceus, the great champion who trotted' a mile in 1:5:4 in Kansas last fall, is credited with hi3 old record of 2:02;. No mention whatever is made of the now celebrated mile, tho first better than 2:00 made by a trotter. In another way the book is unsatisfactory. Tables have been abridged until it is now necessary to possess about ten volumes of the book before it is possible to ascertain the full breeding of a trotter. In many respects the book is valuable, as it preserves something tangible in the form of records. The registrar of the Register Association Is a very capable official, but horsemen cannot understand why the costly year book Is so incomplete. A shining example of the inaccuracy of the records of the association, which horsemen point out,- Is that Major Delmar Is recorded a3 being by Cal Delmar, while Cal Delmar is recorded as being by Delmar. As. a matter of fact. Major Delmar is by Delmar, while Cal Delmar is the only son of Major Delmar. VERY LITTLE NEW IN PRIZE FIGHTS Same Punches, Dodges and Tricks Resorted to in the OldenTime Bouts. A series of pictures, taken from old Knglish publications, and showing how the champions of long ago did battle, has lately been printed In a New York paper. The pictures, when closely studied by critics' of the ring, reveal many surprises, the chief of the lot being the fact that many of the alleged new blows of to-day were practiced by Cribb, Spring, Molineaux and other stars of days long gone by. When Cribb knocked Molineaux out in one of the most desperate battles of the olden time the final blow, if the pjctures are correct, landed most accurately upon the point of the jaw. and was a clean-cut straisht left, following a hard short right for the body. The descriptions of these combats, too. fchow that, despite the immense amount of wrestling, there was a vast deal of clever la-flghting. and that the fighters fairly loved to come to close quarters and bang away in red-hot rallies of the klad which dellfiht a crowd so well to-day. The old-time boxers. Judging from their pictures, were all of the short, stoggy type. Hilly Stlft, the well-known middleweight, is built like many of them, while tho very largest of the old British champions wert on the pattern of Tom Sharkey. Few of them scaled over 10 pounds, though their portraits show them to have been men of gigantic muscles and presumably enormous strength. Jim Jeffries, therefore, would have been right at home among them. He would have been actually stronger than any of the English stars, and his superior bulk would have given him three acts iu every fight upon the turf. Imagin the monstrous Jeffries in battle on the sod with a man weighing perhaps 175 ixiunds! About two falls would be enough to squash the life right out of the victim, and Jim would cot even have to hit

him.

OLD RACING OFFICIAL RETIRES FROM THE TURF Simmons Says that He Does Not Have the Interest in Races N as Formerly. ' FIRST JUDGE TO BE PAID NEW ORLEANS, April 2. Col. Robert W. Simmons, known all over the racing world as an official at Southern tracks, has retired from the game. In speaking of this act, Colonel Simmons explained In detail why the step was taken. There has been scarcely nny track of any Importance in the East on, which Colonel Simmons has not presided as judge. At Saratoga, Brooklyn. Shcepshead Bay, Brighton, Morris Park and Louisville he was usually seen In the judges' stand. He was the presiding judge at the opening of Churchill Downs, in Louisville, in 1S70, and was an Intimate friend of Col. M. Lewis Clark, who died a few years ago. Colonel Simmons shows with great prido a silver loving cup which was presented to him by tho New York Jockey Club, of which Belmont is president. Of the prominent men who have been connected with tho racing game for the past thirty years there is scarcely ono with whom Colonel Simmons has not had an intimate personal acquaintance. "Of August Belmont and the late W. C. Whitney he speaks with affection, and has a great admiration for the true sportmanship of both. "Although I will still go to the races whenever the weather Is good," said Colonel Simmons, "I do not have the interest in them that I once did. Everything is now simply to make money. "The game has been' completely revo lutionized! and I do not know whether the revolution has worked an improvement or not. When I began to Judge the bookmaker was something unknown. It was simply betting of one gentleman with another. Then there were no paid judges. I believe that I was the first judge to be paid a salary in America. It was at one. of the Eastern tracks. I had been Judging for years, and one reason they insisted that I be paid a salary That was the beginning of the custom, and now every track in the country pays its Judges a salary. The old custom was to have a number of the most prominent men present at the race to do the Judging. Frequently it would happen that one or more of these men knew nothing of horses, or had never before seen a race. But in spite of this there was less disputing of a decision than there is to-day. "Then gradually they began to sell pools on the races. This was followed by the custom of the French mutuals. The betting ring with the bookmakers was the result. "The racing Käme is a whole lot different nowfrom what it was over fifty years ago, when I first began to know it. Ever since I was a little boy horse racing has had a wonderful fascination for me. I can remember when I was nothing more than a youngster my father used to take me to see the races near Louisville, where we lived. It was av gentleman's game then. Everything about a horse race in that day was governed by sentiment. There was none of the moneymaklng eagerness which characterizes every track in America today. There were some grand old men connected with the game in those days. Everything was fair and open. It was always the desire of all to see the best horse win. Those old men bred their own horses and trained them and raced them. And they would make bets on their horses which, in size, would stagger the plungers of to-day. It was nothing unusual to see a man bet $10,0uö or $15,uuo on a single race." WELSH MIDGET WILL WIN NO MORE RACES Jimmy Michael Is Said to Be a Physical Wreck at His Home in Wales. NEW YORK, April 2. Jimmy Michael, the famous little Welsh bicycle rider, who probably was the most popular of pace followers when the sport flourished, Is said to be a wreck at his home in Amermann, Wales. The "Midget" is in poor physical condition. - He left this country three weeks ago, broken In health and finances. His passage is said to have been paid by an old trainer. The little Welshman received a bad fall at Berlin last summer and it is said that his mind has not been right since then. Michael is heir to a large sum of money and may not continue broke. During the last six-day race in .Madisonsquare Garden he rode exhibition events every afternoon and evening. This is the last time he was seen in New York. FROM TRACK AND STABLE W. L. Oliver is fitting All Gold and Hazelwood for the Career Handicap at Sheepshead. There are sixty-seven entries In the Suburban handicap this year. The Brooklyn has sixty-four entries. Although the value of stakes have been Increased since 1SIKJ. Domino still holds the place as winner of the largest sum ever won by a thoroughbred in America. He won all toid mm Perry Belmont has signified his intention of racing again. It may not be this season that his colors will return to the turf, but at least next season he will have a string of horses in tralulng. Only five horses have thus far been de clared out of the Chicago Derby, the big event of the Hawthorne spring meeting. as follows: Floral King. Fort Plain. King Croker, J. P. Mayberry and Esherhorn The final date for declaring was April 1. James R. Keene has secured second call on Jockey Arthur Redfern for this season. It is said the retaining fee Is I3.0UO. E. R. Thomas pays 513.1 0 for first call on the Jockey's services,, so there is no danger of the Redfern family starving to death this summer. Programme books for the Aqueduct meet lng of the Queens County Jockey Club. which oens April la, were Issued by Secretary Rehberger on April 1. All races in which It is possible will be at a shorter distance? than usual this year, on account of the generally backward condition of the horses that have trained about thu New York tracks.

McCoy Is Jack O'Brien's Master and He Has Twice Defeated Tommy Ryan. NEW YORK, April 2. A well-known sporting writer accompanied Kid McCoy on a -trip on the road yesterday and wrote the following about the experience: "We had just rounded the corner of One-hundred-and-tcnth street and Fifth avenue, and the 'Kid' slowed down. The pace had been a pretty stiff Jog along the eastern

border of the park, and in the let-up McCoy thought he would use some of the wind he had left in talk. " 'You've spent some part of your life in the country, he said. "This wasn't apropos of anything in par ticular, so I didn't incriminate myself. "'Well, you know continued the 'Kid' "how, when a strange boy came around, all the fellows guyed him?' 'I looked at the 'Kid suspiciously. " 'You're not going to write a book or' " 'Write nothing,' retorted the 'Kid.' 'You know, as a humorist, you'll never shake any rivers dry with laughter. This fellow Flacke, with whom I'm to box. is the strange boy. Thos in the home cornfield are looking him over with uplifted lip. He's getting the sneer thing. But not from me. I have found by experiencesad at times that it is the part of wisdom to respect the unknown quantity. I'd always rather fight a man whose work I knew than one I had never seen in the rinir. You see I'm traininsr. don't you?' "This was so self-evident that a reply was unnecessary. " 'Well, that's the reason. I'm training for the unknown possibility. I've got to whip this fellow. I've Just simply got to.' "I looked up in the face of this stripling, who has all the' soft and pleasing appearance of a boy, but who is the coldest, toughest piece of wire goods, even in the prize ring-five feet nine inches of chilled steel. "When he said it was obligatory on his part to beat Placke, I felt a little bit sorry for the Holland champion. McCov had that tigerish wrinkle around the corners of his mouth that I had seen there when he clawed poor Peter Maher to pieces at Coney Island when,, he wouldn't put Peter out because he wanted to sting him for. knocking out Joe Choynski. "By this time we had reached the reservoir. The 'Kid' started to run around it. There was a man in the boat, picking up stray things on the surface of the city's drink. . " 'Hi, there!' cried the man. 'Stop that running.' "McCoy stoppt d. He leaned over the railing and beckoned to the man. " 'Come here,' he called. 'I want to get a look at you." "The man paddled his boat over to the edge of the lake. He was angry. McCov stooped, and picking up a clod of earth, hit the man with it. The missile landed hard on the man's nose. "This didn't appease his anger. He made a pass at the 'Kid' with an oar. The 'Kid' sidestepped, and the oar was splintered on the railing. WOULD LIKE TO BE AN OUTLAW. " 'Get out of that boat,' said McCoy, 'and come up here. I'll throw you back In the' lake.' "The 'Kid' adorned this invitation with a few picturesque adjectives. "The man stayed in the boat, and the 'Kid' went on his way. Later he was stopped by a policeman. The man in the boat had come ashore and reported his little adventure at the station house. "McCoy asked the policeman to have a cigar.' " I haven't got any with me, said the 'Kid, 'but have one when you reach a cigar store.' "McCoy wasn't arrested, and that policeman is still wondering whether McCoy was in earnest or only fooling. "This incident is only related to illustrate a certain phase of McCoy's character. He is fonn of trouble. He loves mischief. The only thing that keeps him out of barroom fights is the fact that he is a professional pugilist. He has told me himself, and I believe him. that he would rather be a bandit In the Western wilds than anything ehve. "The reason that McCoy is so earnest in his desire to whip Placke is that he looks upon that fight as a gangway to a match for the middleweight championship. " I never was beaten, he said 'except by bigger men. I had to go out of my class. I'm a middleweight, and I would like to hold the title in that department.' "There are only two men between McCoy and that title Fitzsimmons and Tommy Ryan. He is Jack O'Brien's master. O'Brien knows that himself. In fact. I saw a letter from O'Brien acknowledging it. "With Fltz it Is only a question whether or not he can make the weight. He insists that he Can, and his word Is worthy of serious consideration. I think he can make it. He weighed 164 when he fought Ruhlin and Sharkey. And in his training for those fights he did not have to reduce an3. From 164 to lös is not a hard proposition. And Fitz is not putting on weight with age. "The old warrior has accepted McCoy's challenge and agrees to meet him. There will be no trouble at McCoy's end as to the weight. I had him on the scales yesterday and he üegistered 160 pounds. "Between Fitz and McCoy it Is only a question as to how far Bob has gone back. If the verdict of the San Francisco arbiters of the boxing industry be a correct one and Fitz is no longer the Fitz he has been, then McCoy will take the title way from the man who has held it so longsince the downfall of Jack Dempsey. If Fitz is the man who beat Sharkey at Coney Island. McCoy has no mote chance than a drink of whisky would have overboard in the middle of the Atlantic ocean. "McCoy has beaten Ryan twice. Should they meet again it would be the greatest fight between middleweights since well, there Is no comparison. It would go a. distance, too. And as a betting proposition Jt would be a case of tossing a coin in the air and banking on whatever fell." FUTURE BOOK BARRED ON AMERICAN DERBY CHICAGO, April . 2. There will be no future book made on the American Derby. An official of the Washington Park Club recently stated that tho official list of entries to the Derby will not be made public until June for the purpose solely of preventing future speculation. From another seemingly reliable source it is tated that the withholding of the entry list is due to the threatened turf war in Chicago and the recent order of Mayor Harrison that there should be no turf gambling in the city limits this year, which, if carried out, would not permit the track to open. RING CHATTER. "Yanger's manager has again asked Herrera for a return match and offers to bet $2,00) on the result. On April 5 Battling Nelson will clash with Spider Welch before tfie Shamrock A. C. of Salt Lake City. "I would like to set Marvin Hart to meet me." says Gus Ruhlin, "Just to demonstrate that I'm not all in." Broad has fought a half-hundred tough battles, but bis hardest opponent, he says, was Aurelia Herrera, the Mexican. Nothing is heard of the Ben JordanHarry Forbes mill. From all appearances, negotiations have been called off.. Mike Schreck may be matched by a Philadelphia club with Arthur Cripps, the Australian middleweight champion. Danny Duanc is hard from again. He is willing to meet Joe Gans, Jimmy Gardner or Buddy Ryan, preferring (Jans, however. Eddie Cain, who boxed hero two years ago, is ready to get in harness again an 1 wants to meet tome lighter at hi? wclrt

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Interesting Gossip of Players and Magnates in the Two Big Roller Polo Leagues

"Western League Game ThU Week. Monday. Indianapolis at Muncle. Marion at Anderson. Tuesday. Richmond at Indianapolis. Marion at Elwood. Wednesday. Marion at Richmond. Thursday. Anderson at Muncie. Richmond at Marion. Friday. Indianapolis at Elwood. Muncle at Anderson. Saturday. . Muncie at Indianapolis. Elwood at Richmond. Anderson at Marion. Central League Games This "Weli. Monday. Logansport at Tterre Haute. Tuesday. I.ogansport at Danville. Terre Haute at Kokomo. "Wednesday. Kokomo at Lafayette. Thursday. Lafayette at Logansport. Kokomo at Danville. Friday. Kokomo at Terre Haute. Danville at Lafayette. Saturday. ; Lafayette at Kokomo. Dauville at Logausport; George Cunningham, jr., and George Bone deny the retort that has been circulated that they propose starting a. movement toward the organization of a players' union. They say they are not In favor of such a plan. A union cf this style was tried in the game of baseball and proved a dismal failure. Lafayette looks like a good second place proposition in the Central League unless the team goes against some very tough luck this week. It now has a lead over Terre Haute and Kokomo that is unlikely to be overcome if Jimmy Dawson and Ed Gavitt keep in good shape. Both are fast enough for major league company. Tresldent Norton, of the Western League, has called a meeting for Friday of this week. It will be the annual meeting and all league business will be closed, as the last games are to be played on Saturday night. Mercer and Wodtke, cf the Anderson team, will leave for their Eastern homes early Sunday morning. All of the players will have returned home by the last of this month, but It is a betting proposition that all will be back ready and, eager for the fray next season. The players have the well wishes of the sporting writers and fans uf both circuits. Richmond has been very fortunate this reason in having a good utility rush who could jump into the game at any minute and kep up the pace. Cunningham, sr.. now Ulis that role with credit. If some of the other managers had taken the trouble to carry a good extra man the positions of the teams might have been slightly reversed. Dicky Pierce is perhaps better liked among the players of the two leagues than any other. Tierce has never been knor.'n to play dlrtv polo, and his gentlemanly manner while off" the l!oor has won many friends for the greatot floor worker in the game. It will pay a goal tenöer to keep his ..y..s on young Cunningham, of the Rieh

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SOLE DISTRIBUTERS. mond team, when he sees that individual loafing in front of the cage. The little rusher has many tricks for turning the ball Into the cage which often bear fruit. Little Jack Mercer, of Anderson, has won the admiration of polo lovers in every city in the Western League. He Is always busy, always hard at work, a good player, Fpeedy and above all, he is game. He takes his bumps as a part of the business and trusts to time to get even. .Elwood fans will have to say good-bye to that silver cup, emblematic of the Western League Championship, one of these days. This must be a horrible nightmare to the few who have been faithful to the Elwood management this year. With such a loader at its head as "Wild Charley" Farrell, it Is little wonder that the Muncle team is not now on the top rung of the ladder. Farrell is no general to lead to victory. For each misplay Farrell abuses his men with language that is "not fit to hear." Such treatment toward a player will not encourage him to work. Manager Frank Wilson has given out that he will borrow Fhil Jason, of the Fort Wayne- Central League champions, for the closing week of the Reason, which starts tomorrow. He probably won't do anything of the kind, as the only game in which Jason played for the Elwood Western League club was thrown out, and it would be highly improper with three teams fighting for the third, position to allow any borrowing of players in the home stretch. Money is being waged In Anderson that the team will finishin the Hrst division. To a man up a tree it stems as though a position among the hrst'thrte is a triiie too speedy for them. The Terre Haute team, which but recently bid a lorig farewell to the toboggan slide on a right about face movement, demonstrated Its ability to hod Its own by winning a majority of games last week. There is no better player In the Central League than Ed Hipson. captain of the Hottentot quintet, if he will play the game of which he is capable. Muncie polo fans are still of the opinion that the team representing the Magic City has a fighting chance for the pennant, notwithstanding Richmond's good lead and the fact that few games yet remain to be played. Conservative people who watch the game closely, however, beüeve that Richmond's chances of winning the bunting are very much better than those cf Muncie, since the latter can scarcely afford to lose even one of the games that are yet to be played. If Muncie should lose more than one game, lt is practically certain that the hag will not fly from Mr. Petty's liagpole this year. If Munci Joes lose the pennant it will be through tho lack of harmony, and not through the lack of ability. Word has been sent out from Elwood that Managers Schern and Durbin will feign a team of stars next season. Just how they will do this is a hard matter to explain, as it is highly improbable that any manager owning a star will release him for the benefit of the Elwood management. Manager Robby Hart, of the polo players' baseball team, which will meet the Muncie team of the Indiana Slate league in Muncle this afternoon, states that his lineup Im complete, and that all playrra will he on hand. The game will b plajed In Athletic Park and will be called at 2:. Tho to:ttt"t wi'l opvn the- liMflMl$ eayn i:i

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WÄMP0LS. Muncle, and Is attracting general attentioa. The two teams will line up as follows: Polo Players Jessup, c; Lewis, p; Bannon, lb; Cameron, 2b; Hart. Sb; Rone, s; Gardiner, If; Lyons, cf; HigRins, rf. Muncie Hall or Wolfe, c"; Hiatt, p; Fields or Decker, lb; Stroup, 2b; Bates, Sb; Richmond, s; Eaton. If; Hawkins, cf; Golllver, rf. A number of local fans will accompany the Indians to Muncie to witness the contest. Callahan, the utility man who htS been playing with the Kokomo club of the Central League, will finish the 6eason with Lafayette. Callahan played with the Lawrence team of the Eastern League along with Hughey Devlin, half back of the Lafayette aggregation, and If he can become familiar with the large floors in the West, he will hustle Dawson for honors on the rush line. Callahan Is out cf his place at half back. The Indianapolis polo team will play aa exhibition game in Lafayette on Monday night of next week. This will be after the close of the regular playing season, and will be the first chance the fans of the latter city will have had to see the wonderful work of Bannon at goal, for whom they battled so fiercely early In the season. Dicky Pierce can also show them a few things about Moor working that they never dreamed of. On the following Wednesday the Marion team will play in the home of the Sycamores. It is highly probable that the fans of this city will have a chance next year to see at least thres of the present quintet wearing Indianapolis uniforms. While Manager Cohen will not commit himself. It is understood that Joe Fox, now at Marion, will manage the Indian band in the peafon that is to come, and he will bring with him the mighty Ted Lewis and Fred Jean. The players who have been faithful this year will be here again next season. Polo Fan, Logansport: It would take too much space iu these columns to answer your questions. Send your address to th sporting editor of the Journal ami your questions will be answered by mall. Secretary Durbin, of the Western League, is credited with saying: "I do not believe any of this talk about the National League. When I see the promoters sinking money in the building of rinks, 1 will hli-ve that they Intend to make it a go." Durbin In just a little bit disgruntled over the fact that the doors of th National I-nfrao wr-ro not thrown open wide to admit him. Mr. Durblu's ability as a schedule maker is well known, and If he do-s get into tho National League bv some mischance, it is a cinch that he will not be allowed to touch the schedule. Is Referee James Hasset plajing tag with the Western League magnates? He was sent advance money some time ago and ordered to come West at or.ro. As yet ho hits failed to com into prominence, and the fans have a" lurking suspicion that ho does not intend to r-jort In view of thj fact that there is Just one more week to play. The Haldchs are the undisputed champions ef tho Commercial Polo league-. The Kahns. h lp 1 by Sampsell, finished a close iiL while the Ran isters. weakened by the absence eif Sampsoll, tinislud a penr third. The two game. that are to bo played will oiu.se no change in tho rtandincr. The- Tom R-nton and Tish-l-Mingo clubs brought up the rear. . 4Leon De Montrevllle, last year a Western Lergue referee-, was in the city one el ay last wee k. Do Mntn ML- is a ball player and has sinned with Manager Watkins. of .the Minneapolis club, for the coming F-;i(Joa. He will probably hold duwu a position lm th. in: . n

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