TiUe Imprint I NTO. 3, t PALDINGB v?/ ArHime SpDRf sl #-ocH^lfO=,®g)Q)1^5^^ -OF- n w mm, PROFUSIiY 'I ItitilJ^M^XM^D. :>-<3$-^c PTJBIilSHED BY 1 X\)mgo and New York. THE LARGEST SPORTING GOODS HOUSE IN AMERICA. MANUFACTURERS, IMPORTERS, AND DEALERS IN General Sporting Goods, GUNS AND GUN AGGOUTREMENTS, BASE BALL SUPPLIES, Lawn Tennis, Cricket, Croquet, Ice aad Roller Skates, Foot Balls, Lacrosse, Polo, Cutlery, Gymnasium, TheatricaJ, and General Sporting Goods. Send for Illustrated Cataloguo, ieeignating kind of Goods wanted. A. G. SPALDING & BROS., 241 Broadway, NEW YORK, 108 Madison St., CHICAGO. OUR PUBLICATIONS. The popular encouragement given to the pursuit of Athletic Sports, Recreative Amusements, Gymnastic Exercises, etc., and the comparative scarcity of mediums of instruction on these subjects, suggested the publi- cation of our Library of Athletic Sports. The benefits of Athletic and other manly exercises, from an educational as well as from a moral and ecreative point of view, are now so generally recognized that the right inethod of promoting man's physical welfare should be readily accessible. The aim of the various manuals or hand-books constituting our yl//;/^//c Series will be to educate the readers in each particular game or sport in .vhich they may be interested. A long experience in sporting matters in- luces a belief that thorough descriptions accompanied by the necessary .[lustrations, will enable those who by forc3 of circumstances are deprived of the opportunity of obtaining practical instruction or accurate knowl- idge, to become proficieut without such instruction. The following list includes those already published as well as those that are under way. Those unfinished will be rapidly completed and olaced on sale at all news stands throughout the country. No. I. Spalding's Official Base Ball Guide Price loc " 3, " •• LeagueBook «' loc. " 3- " Hand Book of Pitching «« loc. " 4- " " " Batting «« loc. " 5- " " *• Base Running and Fielding '« loc. " 6. " CricketGuide In Press, " loc. " 7- " Lacrosse and Football Rules *' " loc. " 8. " Lawn Tennis Manual " " loc, " 9- " Manual of Roller Skating Completed " 25c. " 10. '« «* Croquet " loc. " II. " ** Manly Sports «« 2Sc. " »2- " •• Bicycling In Press, " 2Sc. " 13- " Hand Book of Sporting Rules and Training, " 25c. Any of the above books mailed upon receipt of price. Orders for the cooks now in press will be received, and the books mailed as soon as issued. OUR JOURNALS. To meet a general want in the sporting world, we have issued a series of Journals, which are replete with information in regard to the various sports; the utensils used, their description, cost, etc., are fully set forth. With the aid of these Journals those interested in any particular iine of sporting, games or pastimes, can readily inform themselves in all the particulars of each amusement. We shall be pleased to mail a sample copy free to any address upon application. Spalding's Journal of Summer Sports. " " Field Sports. " Angler. " Bicycle Journal. ** di*^l*»rv TnnrnnI THE LpN Tennis IJanujil FOR 1885. CONTAINING FULL AND COMPLETE INSTRUCTIONS FOR ACQUIRING A PRAC- TICAL KNOWLEDGE OF THE GAME, WITH ILLUSTRATIONS OF THE MATERIALS OF THE GAME, AND OF THE DRESSOF THE PLAYERS, AS ALSO THE LINES AND MEASUREMENT'S OF THE COURTS, AND THE LAYING OUT OF THE FIELD. WITH SPECIAL CHAPTERS ON "how to play the GAME," "THE SERVICE," "POINTS OF PLAY," "THE VARIOUS STRIKES," " THE FIELDER," "THE FOUR-HANDED GAME," "a GAME PLAYED," " PLAYING AT NET," ETC., ETC. ALSO, CONSTITUTION OF THE KENWOOD L^WN TENNIS CLUB. THE Official Code of plating Rules for i88$. As amended by the National Association of Lawn Tennis Players. Spec- ially prepared under separate headings for this work. To which is added "Hints on Scoring-." BY HEI?^RY CHADWICK. ILLUSTRATED BY GEO. H. BEIS^EDICT. ^^°^^^^"'"'-^ ■ AFRS6,1B86. PUBLISHED BY .. , ,, \/iQH A. G. SPALDING & BR-T Entered According to Act of Congress in the Year 1885 — BY— A. G. SPALDING & BROS., In the Office of the Librarian of Congress at Washington, D. C. INTRODUCTION, The game of Tennis is one of the ancient pastimes of England, and it was a favorite game with royalty from the time of Henry VIII. to the rollicking days of Charles II., the Tennis courts of that period being very fashionable resorts of the wild youths of the English nobility of "the good old times," as they are sometimes called. But the Tennis of that day is not the Lawn Tennis of the nineteenth century, the latter really being a sort of return to the pristine days of the game when it was played out of doors in a very crude way ; and therefore we need not refer to the old game of Tennis further than to state that it was a far more difficult game to play than is modern Tennis. It is not necessary to refer at length to the origin of the modern game, beyond stating the fact that it came into favor as a lawn substitute for the old court game; and from its introduction has won its way to a popularity unprecedented almost in the history of field games of ball. As for its brief his- tory in America, It tnay be said that no game has been introduced in this country from England which has achieved such rapid favor in fashionable circles of American society as the game of Lawn Tennis. It (5) 6 INTRODUCTION. is now the pet society game at all the watering-places and at every fashionable summer resort in the country. Besides which, it is the only all-the-year-round game of ball now in vogue; for when the summer lawn is covered with snow, in-door Tennis is at command in any moderatel3^-sized and smoothly-floored hall. While Lawn Tennis is a special favorite with those vs^ho cannot excel in any game requiring any special attribute of physical courage, owing to the fact that every phase of danger is eliminated from the game, it is also popular with those who are expert in such manly sports as base ball, cricket, lacrosse, and foot- ball, from the fact that it necessitates litheness of Timb and activity of movement, besides affording a field for strategic skill when the game is played up to its highest point, which is quite enjoyable by way of contrast in presenting a light exercise, differing greatly from the vigorous and somewhat dangerous exercises of the other games. Then, too. Lawn Tennis is an excellent field game of ball for ladles, as it aflforci^-them the very kind of exercise they most need, and that is out-door activity, which will bring the dormant muscles of the limbs and the chest into play. There is an additional recommendation', too, for Lawn Tennis, and that is that it can be played on a comparatively small space of level ground, or on a hall floor. The materials of the game, at the present day, are not expensive, the whole " kit," com- prising four racquets, a dozen balls, and the posts and net. Of course, if you are ambitious of becom- INTRODUCTION. ^ ing an expert, you will need a favorite racquet and the best kind of balls. But the game can be enjoy- ably played without using a "champion" racquet or the pet balls of the period. There is one thing about Lawn Tennis playing, as in vogue in general society, which makes it excep- tional, and that is, in no field game now enjoying popular favor, are the amenities of social life so par- ticularly observed. The quarreling and disputes which used to characterize croquet, and which, by the way, had a marked influence in bringing about its downfall in public f^ivor, are almost unknown on the Lawn Tennis field. Of course, there will be found in Lawn Tennis, as in every game, certain votaries of the sport" who cannot refrain from croak- ing and grumbling; but, as a rule, the Lawn Tennis field is marked by more attention to politeness and the observance of the rules of fashionable life than is to be seen on any other field of out-door sports. The game is one that " has come to stay," as it fills a void which has existed a long while, and that is, the want of a game in which ladies and gentlemen can participate, while at the same time plenty of active and not too vigorous exercise can be afforded for both, and that, too, without any element of dan- ger to mar the pleasure of its enjoyment. THE GAME OF LAWN TENNIS. What more attractive picture, in the way of an out-door recreation for both sexes, can be presented than that exhibited at a Lawn Tennis party? There is the smooth, level, well-cut and rolled grassy lawn, with the lines of a double court marked out upon it. Around the lawn are assembled the fair guests and their masculine attendants and escorts, all intent on watching the graceful evolutions in the court of the two lady players and their gentlemen partners, the picturesque surroundings and the bright blue of an early June sky completing a landscape worthy the pencil of an artist. It is a game without a peer or even a rival of its kind; for while it affords ample opportunity for graceful activity, and presents a most healthful out-door exercise, of a kind just suited for men of sedentary habits, and especially for the class of the fair sex who are too prone to house them- selves from active exertion in the open air, it also affords facility for the employment of considerable strategic skill and litheness of limb, when played up to its highest mark. Like all games. Lawn Tennis requires plenty of practice, too, in order to attain any degree of special excellence in the exemplification of its beauties. The (8) LAWN TENNIS COUK.T. (9) lO LAWN TENNIS. theory of the game is as simple as A B C. One player bats a ball to an opposing player standing on the other side of a fence of network, and the latter returns the ball similarly before it touches the ground twice, and the first player who first fails to so return the ball, has a point scored against him. That is really the whole theory of the game. But carried out in detail there is far more in the playing of it than appears on the theoretical surface. Training is essential in order not only to sustain the physical fatigue incident to a well-contested match, but also to obtain the requisite command of the ball to engage skillful strategic play. Then, too, one has to have his wits about him, even in this apparently simple game, before he can hope to cope v/ith any success against an experienced adversary. But the decidedly attractive feature about Lawn Tennis is that every element of danger is eliminated from the game. The ball is a mere light rubber toy beside the danger- ously hard cricket or base ball; and there is no possi- ble chance of any dangerous colliding on the field when pursuing the ball. In fact, it is as harmless as battledore and shuttlecock. THE MATERIALS OF THE GAME. It may be truthfully remarked that there are no votaries of any field game of ball so fussily particu- lar in regard to the special form or quality of the material of their sports as are the general class of Lawn Tennis players; and, as a rule, the poorer the LAWN TENNIS. II players the more particular they are in regard to racquets and balls. It is, of course, very desirable when you become an accomplished expert in the use of your racquet, to have a choice bat and good balls to play with. But the ordinary bats and balls of an established manufacturer answer all the purposes of the large majority of Lawn Tennis players. Great improvements have been made in Lawn Tennis material within the past few years, especially in this country, the American racquets manufactured by the Spalding Bros., of Chicago and New York, rivaling the best in the English market, and the latest American Tennis balls equal those of the best English standard balls, and are better suited to our hot summer climate. The English racquet, as used some years ago, was formed as if every shot was to be made low and from a sidestroke. The new form of English racquet is shown in the appended cut, and this is also the form of the model American racquet. The weight of it varies from ten to sixteen ounces, the lighter ones being most in favor with experts. The net is different now from what it was a few years since. 12 LAWN TENNIS. Then the net reached to the ground, and considera- ble annoyance was occasioned by its stopping balls when thrown back after the finish of a game. Now it is raised high enough to admit of the balls passing under the net. The net required for a Lawn Tennis court should be of good, strong material, which will wear well, for it is so frequently put up and taken down that poor material will soon wear out. The net is stretched from post to post so as to allow of its " sag- ging " in the center, the height of the net line when it is fastened to the post at each end being three feet, six inches from the ground, while the height in the center of the net at the top line is but three feet from the ground, the " sagging" being six inches at the center. The net should be sufficiently high from the ground to admit of the balls rolling freely under- neath. The appended cut shows the form of a projD. erly stretched net. LAWN TENNIS NET. A sort of stationary center post with a hook at the top has been lately introduced for the purpose of keeping the net down to the three feet height, the post in question being in form as shown in the fol- LAWN TENNIS. 13 lowing cut, I n It is made of wrought iron, and is fixed in the ground at the center point of the net. Its use lies in its not only keep- ing the net from being drawn up too high, but also in showing when it "sags" too low. The ball used in Lawn Tennis is made of rubber and covered with a light felting, and the regulation size and weight is not less than 2 15-32 inches, nor more than 2^ inches in diameter; and not less than i )5-i6 ounces, nor more than two ounces in weight. THE COURTS. There are two courts in Lawn Tennis, one for games between two players called the "single court," and the other for four players, called the "double court." The former court is bounded by lines 78 A Single r Side Litte.78 Court- ) feet long- 1 1 s ^ S "S Half Court '"^Line;^; 21,feet long ti 1 ^ 1 1 42 feet long (3 1 1 18 feet long o O u Oi O Inner Right Court Line of Inner ,I7eft Court feet in length and 27 feet in width. This court is divided up into four smaller courts, 2 1 feet in length H LAWN TENNIS. by 13 feet, 6 inches in width, the boundary lines of these courts being the " service " Hues and the outer lines, the " service " Hne crossing the court 18 feet distant from the end of the court, and 21 feet dis- tant from the center line, or line of the net, v/hich latter is 39 feet distant from the end lines of the court. The diagram of the single court is shown on preceding page. The net extends 3 feet beyond the boundary lines of the court on each side; the line of the net from post to post consequently being 33 feet in length. The double court is of the same length as the single court, but it is 6 feet wider in its base line. The inner courts, however, are of the same dimensions as those of the single court. The lines of the double court are shown in the appended diagram. A Double Court Side Line 78^feet Ion? Service Side Line 42 feet Ions Half Court Line ^ 21 feet long 42 feet Tong -a 1'""" "2 1 3 3 1 =< y -r- '1 The service must be within the lines of the service courts the same as in the single court, but the return ball can go outside the side service lines, but must fall within the outer boundary lines. LAWN TENNIS. I5 THE FIELD. The most complete field for Lawn Tennis is a perfectly level piece of turf, cut close and well rolled until it presents quite a velvety surface. Next to this is a smooth hard surfiice of clay or asphalt, or that of a ball room, or rather skating rink, floor. But it is only on a fine grassy lawn that the beauties of the game can be fully developed. Every fashionable country residence now has its Tennis lawn, and no summer resort is considered complete in its attractions without its Lawn Tennis grounds. The most extensive public Lawn Tennis ground in this country in 1885 was engaged by the residents of Brooklyn, the Prospect Park officials providing facil- ities for Lawn Tennis playing for over one hundred clubs on their grand park, more than sixty games being in progress at the same time this summer there. DRESSING FOR THE GAME. Lawn Tennis is no game to be played well with one's everyday dress. You require to be clothed especially for the exercise, and it is essential that your field costume should be one made of some light quality of flannel, as a player necessarily perspires freely from the exercise, and flannel is the only mate- rial suitable for such a condition. And just here let us say that it is in the free prespiration which the game induces that the great sanitary benefit of the pastime lies. It opens the pores of the skin ; brings l6 LAWN TENNIS. the blood in healthful and vigorous circulation to the surface of the body, and thereby relieves the vital function of the liver and the kidneys from the over- work they are subjected to when the vitality of the skin is allowed to become dormant from sedentary habits. Given an hour's moderate exercise on a Lawn Tennis field, until the skin has been given life and activity, and the player is in a profuse perspira- tion and not over-fatigued; and then let this be fol- lowed by the cleansing process of a sponge bath, and after the bath to take a gentle walk In one's ordi- nary attire, and a delightful feeling of healthful vigor will follow, fully equaling the exhilarating effects of a Turkish bath. So much for the sanitary advan- tages of the game. Now for the dress. First as regards the shoes, and we present a sample of what a Lawn Tennis shoe should be in the appended cut. This shoe is made of white canvas, with a cor- rugated rubber sole moulded on the upper. The shoe speaks for itself, and needs no further descrip- tion, except that it should be broad, so as to allow for the full play of the toes, which pointed-toed shoes do not admit of. As regards the other portions of LAWN TENNIS. 17 the dress, we append two cuts showing two different styles of dress worn by Lawn Tennis players. Some prefer the Knickerbockers, and others the .n.er.. The obiect in view is the wearnig of a trousers. The obj l8 LAWN TENNIS. loose fitting dress, which will admit of perfect free- dom of muscular motion. A light undershirt of silk or flannel covered by a Jersey, with Knickerbockers and stockings, is about the best dress for the game for the upj^er part of the body. For the ladies' dress the one thing needful is a loose bodice, with a moderately short skirt. No lady can play Tennis comfortably while wearing a corset. The head cov- ering should be light, and sufliciently wide in brim to shade the face from the sun. Avoid eccentricity of attire in the way of a dress for Lawn Tennis. It is vulgar. A neglige style of dress can be worn without making it vulgarly conspicuous. HOW TO PLAY THE GAME. THE SERVICE. The first step in learning to play Lawn Tennis is to " serve " the ball, and to do this properly is one of the most important points of play in the game. Thorough command of the ball is essential for eflfect- ive service, and this can only be acquired by steady practice in serving. Is is a good j)lan in practicing serving the ball to fix a crab-net wire so that it will stand upright at a height of three feet from the ground. Then measure a distance of forty feet from the pole of the hoop, and then practice to serve the ball from the racquet through the circle of wire luitil you can send it through without difiiculty, and swiftly, too. In thus practising, the server should begin LAWN TENNIS. 19 by getting the range of the wire hoop, first serving underhand, and then overhand. When trying to practise a swift service the deHvery will have to be high in order to send the ball within the court line. LAWN TENNIS COURT, The server should bear in mind the fact that he has a range of sixty feet for his service, that being the distance from the base line from which he serves the 20 LAWN TENNIS. ball to the service line of the opposite court on the other side the net. His aim should be to just clear the line of the net. The appended diagram shows the lines of a swift line-ball service, a medium-paced overhand service, and a slow toss or underhand serv- ice. The swift service is necessarily from a high front delivery, while the other two services are from the high and low side stroke, the toss being the low- est delivery. This diagram is merely to illustrate the service line for novices. As a general rule, the server may be said to have the game in his hands, and certainly ought to win most of his service. The server being allowed two chances, frequently devotes his first shot to experi- mental play; but a steadily-served ball over the net at the first stroke is better than to risk a fancy stroke. A safety service on the first stroke pays best in the end. There are three styles of serving familiar to experts, and they are the simple toss, the swift serv- ice, and the twist. The former should be an excep- tional stroke, the most useful service for general pur- poses being the swift stroke, which sends the ball just skimming over the net line. The "twist" or bias given the ball by the bat is accomplished by combining with the forward stroke of the bat a sort of side cut, which causes the ball to rotate on its axis, the result being that when it touches the ground the rebound is an eccentric one, instead of a rebound on the line of its progress to the ground. It should not be sent in very swiftly, but only with sufficient force to give due effect to the side cut or twist imparted to it. LAWN TENNIS. 21 Steady play In service is the play that wins in the long run. In the choice between the service which never sends in two balls alike, and that which Is marked by one kind of stroke served steadily and well, the latter is the most advantageous as an aver- age service. The surer a server is at his stroke the more easily will he be able to " place " the ball, and FORWARD OVERHAND STROKE. to " place " the bail is the true art of effective service. As much execution may be often done b}-- judicious placing of the ball as by difficult service. Watch your opponent well, find out his weak points, and serve accordingly. If he Is too far forward, serve back; If he stands near the half-court line, give him a ball in the opposite corner; if he waits for you 22 LAWN TENNIS. ready to take the ball on either side, serve low to his feet, and so on. The server should always keep one ball in hand so as to be ready for a second service if the first is a faultc After serving the ball over the net, be on the qui Vive for the return ball, playing steadily while being ready. The cut on page 21 shows the player in the act of sending in a swift high service ball, which just clears the net line. FORE OVERHAND STROKE. In making the high service, throw the ball up nearly in a line with the right shoulder. The medium paced service is shown in the above cut of a player about to serve an overhand ball. LAWN TENNIS. 23 The overhand service is made with the racquet held nearly on a level with the shoulder. For the simple toss or underhand service grasp the racquet in the middle of the handle, and stoop- ing, drop the ball, striking at it with the full face of the racquet. This is shown in the appended cut. UNDERHAND SERVICE. THE POINTS OF PLAY. Mr. Hardwicke, one of the best writers on the game, gives some instructive points in regard to serv- ice and return plays, which we append as worthy of special attention. Referring to the point of putting -'side" on the ball, he says: "Strike it with the racquet nearly horizontal but slightly inclined for- ward. This will put a right-hand twist on the ball- 24 LAWN TENNIS. SO that when it bounds it will skew toward the striker out in a very puzzling way. If he is prepared for a straight stroke he must alter his position or play a back-hander. " In returning a service ball, or a ball in play, the player should always endeavor to drive as near the top of the net as possible without cutting into the net. All 'lobs 'up (to lob a ball is to drive it high above the heads of the players) are bad play unless specially required, as in the case of a forward player, when it is desirable to play over his head. There is a right and a wrong moment for taking a ball. After bound- ing, it should be struck when its upward momentum is spent and it is about to fall. The reason of this is clear. If the ball is struck on the* rise, it will leave the racquet at an obtuse angle equal to that of its incidence. In other words, it will lob up. The same principle must be borne in mind in taking a ' skyer.' It will leave the racquet at a descending angle equal to that at which it strikes the racquet. In fast play, you must take the ball how and when you can. It is better to hold the racquet long. But for ordinary forehand play, especially where the driving is not hard, the better plan is to hold the racquet short and let the stroke be given more from the shoulder than the elbow." THE VARIOUS STROKES. Referring to the different strokes made in Lawn Tennis, Mr. Hardwicke says: " There are eight LAWN TENNIS. 25 principal strokes at Tennis, each of which should be thoroughly mastered. In order to do this, a person anxious to become a good player should practise each separately, having the ball pitched to him at a certain spot, and standing so as to play one particular stroke until it can be played with certainty. Some strokes only occur at rare Intervals, and, consequently, unless practiced separately, are never really learned. The first and principal stroke Is the fore overhand. For this stroke, hold the racquet short, well up to the face, with a very slight backward Incline. In order to play a ball in this manner, you should stand about eighteen inches to the left of its course, and strike it as It passes you. While it is of the utmost impor- tance to be quick, more misses are made from being too quick than too slow. You should let your racquet hover, as it were, a moment before striking. If you do this there will be no force In the stroke except that Intended for the ball. AVhen you have to run forward to a ball, recollect to deduct the force of your run from the force of the stroke, or you will strike out of court, and, if you run back, increase the force, as your run will deduct so much from the blow. Try to strike the ball well in the center of the racquet. If you hit the wood. It Is almost sure to score against you. In making this stroke the left foot should be forward, and the right back." Fore underhand is a stroke made with the racquet held at the extreme end of the handle, as shown in the cut on page 25. It is most useful in taking half- 26 LAWN TENNIS. volleys, quick services, and long drives. When the play is very fast, and the ball is returned close over the net, the ball rises only a few inches after striking the ground. Consequently it must be taken under- hand or not at all. In good underhand play the ball should not be lobbed up in the air. Be sure to turn the elbow well in, and return as close to the top of the net as you can. FORE UNDERHAND STROKE. The high stroke: Where a ball passes over the player, but at a pace that will cause it to fall behind him and within the court, he should play it down just over the net. Such a ball played either at the opponent's feet, or in some undefended part of the LAWN TENNIS. 27 court, is almost sure to score. Be careful not to cut into the net. The back overnand stroke is shown in the appended cut. BACK OVERHAND STROKE. In reference to this stroke Mr. Hardwicke says: "In case a ball twists suddenly, or is returned so quickly that you cannot get to the left of it so as to take it forehand, you must strike backhanded. The diffi- culty is to get behind the ball in time. The right foot should be well forward, and the left back. Turn the body from the waist well to the left, so as to throw its whole weight into the stroke. The racquet should be held long or half-handle." The back underhand stroke is shown in the following cut. 28 LAWN TENNIS. This is a stroke given with the right foot forward and the left back. The racquet must be held at the extreme end of the handle, and, as in the preceding stroke, turn the body well to the left. In regard to forward play, both overhand and underhand strokes, he says : " These strokes are re- quired chiefly for volleys and twisting balls. For the BACK UNDERHAND STROKE. overhand, hold the racquet short and firm. When the ball is driven very hard, little more than its own returned momentum is required to send it back over the net. A very telling i^lay in single games, when you are near the net and your opponent is at or near - the base line, is to loosen the racquet in the hand when the stroke is given. This stops the ball with- out returning its force, and drops it just over the net. LAWN TENNIS. 29 where it falls long before the opposing player can get to it." This stroke is shown in the following cut: Q « Forward underhand strokes," says Mr. Hard- wicke, "like back underhand, are the most difficult in the game. They should be played with the elbow forward and well up. The effect of this stroke is to keep the ball from rising, and to return it just over the net." The cut on page 30 shows the stroke: " Guard and attack must always be in a player's mind, the object being to protect his own court and assail his adversary in a weak point. In guarding, after every stroke be sure to get back to the center of your court. If the play is fast, be near the base 30 LAWN TENNIS. line; if slow, near the service line. It is always easier to get forward to a ball than back to it. No one can play a forward game with any effect with- out being skilful in volleying. It is a means of attack and defense in which the great beauty of the game consists. Half volleys are strokes when the ball is close to the ground and about to bound or ' pitch.' FORWARD UNDERHAND STROKE. There are two styles of volley play at the net and on the service line. The first is always played overhand. It is a showy but a dangerous play, except in four- handed games, because it leaves so much of the court unprotected. The answer to it is to play the ball up over the opponent's head where he cannot get it, or obliquely across the court out of his reach. Volley- LAWN TENNIS. 3I ing from the service line is a safer and much more effective play. At the service line, if the ball is not struck hard by the opponent, so as to carry it out of court, it will be approaching the ground, and may be half-volleyed or taken underhand. To do this and to return close over the net is the ne plus ultra of play. Half-volleys have been described by some writers as the stroke of despair. So they may be to an inferior player, but when well played and placed, they are almost sure to score. If he is forward, play over his head ; if he is near the base line, drop the ball just over the net. Also drive the ball to his rig^ht or left, whichever way will make the play most perplexing. A good player will keep his oppo- nent racing from side to side until he tires him out. Thus, if the ball be played so that while striking the ground on the right side of the opponent's court, it twists outward, he must go to his court to take it. If it be returned with a volley to the left side, it is almost impossible for him to get there in time. When a ball cannot be played away from an oppo- nent, the most embarrassing play is to place it at his feet. He must then step to take it, and he will be very likely to miss it." An important fact to remember, with regard to position, is that — supposing you are not left-handed — it is safer to keep to the left of your court than to the right, for to play a ball that drops on the left of you, you must either change your racquet from right to left, or take the serve backhanded; whereas, if 32 LAWN TENNIS. you keep to the left of the ball, 3'ou can run out and take it in the natural way. Of course it is possible to overdo anything, and your adversary may catch you now and then too far back or too far to the left, but, on the whole, it is a safe maxim in Lawn Tennis to observe two injunctions — "Stand back," and "Keep to the left." Avoid as much as possible showing your play to your adversary; take your time, but do not be so deliberate as to show him where you intend to place the ball. On the other hand, do not be in such a hurry that it is odds against your making the stroke you strive for. In taking a served ball, the striker-out should stand about three feet back from the service line. If the serves are swift, he may go back to the base line; but if very slow, he should stand near the service line. In returning the ball, it is as well always to drive to the opponent's left hand, as back-handed strokes are all more diffcult to take, especially if they strike near the base line. A striker-out in tak- ing a ball should always remember that the right moment to do so is just when it has pitched, and, having exhausted its force, is about to fall. At this moment it takes whatever direction the racquet gives, having no force in itself. If struck while ascending from the ground, it will leave the racquet at an angle equal to that of its incidence, and not in a line with the stroke. This will often take the ball up in the air instead of returning it just over the net. ^ There LAWN TENNIS. 33 IS a common trick which used to be more general than it is now. It is called putting cut on the ball. In order to do this, the striker slants his racquet so that it strikes the ball at an angle of thirty degrees. This gives a double motion, first, the line of stroke, and secondly, a rotary movement of the ball, which, when it strikes, causes it to rise in an unusual manner. THE FIELDER. The "fielder" is the player in a four-handed match on either side who is neither the server nor the recip- ient of a service, but assists his partner by looking after the defence, taking the shots the forward player declines or misses. An English writer says: "The one requirement which the fielder needs beyond those of the server and striker-out is the art of ' volleying ' — that is, of taking the ball on its full pitch. For those who play up near the net it is indispensable. Few things are so exciting as a close-fought ' rally' up at the net. Every stroke seems charged with fate, and the spectator's eye can often hardly keep pace with the rapid interchange of strokes. The object of each is first to return his adversary's shot, and next to elude his adversary's racquet. Coolness is a great requisite for the player who ' plays in,' for he must be prompt to judge when to play at the ball, and when to let it pass him. The back fielder must be a good runner, for he has a lot of ground to cover, and he should be equally good at right or left-hand play, and be able to run one way and hit another. 34 LAWN TENNIS. Be steady before you are showy. Do not imagine that a stylish uniform will add to yo'ur play, or that jumping up at a ball you could easily reach without, or playing backhanded at a ball you could have just as well have played straightforward, will impress the spectators, except to show them how little you know of the game. To keep your temper is a golden rule; if 3^ou cannot you might as well retire from the Tennis field." THE FOUR-HANDED GAME. In a four-handed game the server remains with one partner through each game, and passes from side to side of the net in the same manner as in a single-handed game. Thus if A and B play C and D, and A and B win the toss, A and B may arrange who shall serve first. Say A serves the first, then C and D may agree who shall serve through the next game. Say C serves, then B serves the next, and then D, and so on in the same order till the set is through. In playing together, the non-serving partner generally plays forward and the server back. The skill and entiente with which partners aid each other has a material effect on the game. The for- ward player should not be too near the net. The nearer he stands to the service line the better. Where one ace is scored by the forward partner playing vol- leys at the net, at least two are lost by so much of the court being left unprotected. Thirty-six feet is a very wide space for the most active player to cover LAWN TENNIS. 35 in width, and when his partner stands close to the net, he is left with a defaut in front of him of nearly thirty feet, far too large a share to cover. Instead of this if the forward player takes his position on the service line, he can take all the balls pitching short, as well as volleying such as come within his reach. It is as well to repeat here distinctly what is stated in the rules, that if one partner touches a ball his partner cannot afterward play it. It is dead. But if he strike at it and miss it altogether, his partner may play the same ball. The rear partner will have quite enough to do to keep the game going without think- ing much of where he shall place the ball. All the telling strokes should be made by the forward player. He generally gets most of the credit, while the real hard work and most difficult play is done by his partner in the rear. Nothing is more trying to the temper of the rear- most player than to see his partner dancing about at the net, trying to accomplish the most difficult strokes, and missing five out of every six. Where ladies play, they should take their full share in the game. It is not very interesting to spectators where a lan- guid beauty, with her dress tied so tightly back that she can barely move six inches in a step, stands in an exquisite pose in one corner of the court, leaving her wretched partner to cover the whole of the rest of the court to protect. 36 LAWN TENNIS. A GAME PLAYED. We cannot do better than to describe a game played on a single court, as it will initiate the novice into the technicalities of the game better than chap- ters of special instructions. We will suppose Brown and Jones to be the contestants, the former winning the toss and taking the service. Brown is called the " server " in the first game, and Jones the " striker-out." Brown begins serving by standing on the right-hand half of his base line, and has to send the ball into his opponent's front right-hand court, so that it falls between the net, the side line, the service line, and the half-court line. His first stroke misses, and a " fault " is charged to him. His second attempt sends the ball over the net into the proper court. Jones runs up as it bounds, and returns it over the net. The ball is now "in play" as long as it falls over the net anywhere within the out- side lines, and as long as the players take it either on the "volley" — that is, before it touches the ground — or on the first bound. In this way it goes backward and forward several times, till presently Jones, hit- ting rather too hard, sends it outside one of Brown's side lines, who accordingly wins the first stroke, and scores 15. (The first ace scored counts 15, the sec- ond 30, the third 40, and the fourth gives the game, provided the opposing player's score is only 40.) Brown, as the server, now takes up his position on the left half of his base line, and serves this time into LAWN TENNIS. 37 Jones' court. He gets over first time, and the ball dropping close into the net, Jones does not reach it in time, and so fails to return it. This makes Brown's score 30, and once more he crosses over and serves from ricrht to left. But this time his ball fails to s^et over the net, and the second, instead of falling into the proper square, drops on the other side. Having thus made two consecutive foults, he loses that stroke, and the score accordingly stands at 30 — 15. The next stroke he gets over the net all right, and Jones apparently returns it; but the latter, instead of taking the service on the first bound , takes it on the " volley," which is not allowed in the case of a service (though it is quite admissible when the ball is "in play"), and therefore loses the stroke, making the score 40—15. On Brown's next service Jones gets well under the served ball and returns it hard, and as Brown failed to meet it in time, the stroke is Jones'. Score 40—30. In the next serve, however, it seems as if Jones were to be paid back in his own coin, for Brown's ball in serving now touches the net, and falls out of reach of the striker-out. That, you say, makes game to Brown. No. If the ball touches the net in the service, and falls on the other side, it counts as a " no ball," so that not only has Brown not won the game, but he must serve again from the same court. His first shot flies right over Jones' base-line, and is a fault. The second is better, though only just in, for 38 LAWN TENNIS. It falls on one of the lines that bound the required square. Jones returns it, and an exciting passage at arms ensues. At last it falls out on Brown's side, but Browii, having been indiscreet enough to touch it as it passed with his bat, the stroke falls to Jones once more, and the score is now 40 all, or "deuce." Jones wins the next stroke, and the score is then "vantage" to Jones, who, if he wins the next, claims the game. However, he does not win it, for Brown plays a ball over his head right on to his base-line, where he cannot reach it. The score consequently goes back to "deuce," where it will remain till one of the two combatants scores two strokes running. Brown leads off his next service with another fault, which is disallowed, even though Jones takes it. But the next stroke he gets over, and Jones misses the return ; " vantage " to Brown. The game now be- comes exciting. Jones wins the next stroke, and the score accordingly goes back again to " deuce." And so it progresses, until finally Brown being at " van- tage," a smart " rally" close up to the net ends in his favor, owing to Jones having struck the ball before it had passed to his side of the net. And so ends the first game. The " set " is for the best out of eleven games — that is, whoever scores six games first is declared winner of the set. If both players should tie at five games each, they may choose whether the next game shall decide, or whether they will fight the matter out by treating the score as a deuce of games, and LAWN TENNIS. 39 going on till either one wins two consecutive games on the top of " games all," as five games each is called. PLAYING AT THE NET. The London Fields in a lengthy article on the point of play known as " volleying from the net," says: « Our Lawn Tennis columns have during the last four weeks contained a variety of correspondence from players of the game upon the subject of the man at the net. One class of writers state their opin- ion that such a line of play, though a winning one, tends to spoil the interest in the game and to detract from its popularity, and suggest new legislation, which shall render the practice illegal, in the phase of which they complain. Another series of writers, among whom figure the names of such masters of the art as Messrs. Hartley, Lawford and W, Ren- shaw, point out that the fault, if any, lies in the mediocrity of the play of those who find themselves beaten by the tactics of the player who stands at the net; and, that the position, so far from being an advantage, should have the contrary eflfect, if met by reasonable skill and with proper tactics. " We can all i^member to what a state net play had reduced the game before the alteration in the laws (passed in 1880) made the stroke a losing one if the ball was volleyed before it had passed the net, or if the striker touched the net with his racquet or 40 LAWN TENNIS. body. Up to that time it iiad been a common prac- tice to see one player on each side in a four-handed game standing up and sprawHng over the net, dis- placing the latter in many instances, and smashing the ball down to the ground before it even reached his own court. These tactics paid, and unless each side mutually agreed to abandon them, both were obliged, in self-defense, to adopt them. It could not be denied that this mode of play spoilt the game; it shortened the rallies, and that not by any display of skill on the part of the forward player. It was the latter fact which led to its condemnation. It is easier to shoot a hare in her form than after she has been put up, but it is not sport. It was easier to smother tlie return in embryo, before it had crossed the net, than to volley it after it had entered the striker's court. A fifth-class player could play the smothering game with success, where he would be unable to return the ball with accuracy from the rebound, or with a volley in mid-court. It was because net play, under the then existing laws, put mediocrity at a premium, and with the effect of curtailing the interest in the game, that the subsequent alterations in the rules took place. "We should be sorry, if the present rules afforded facilities for making the game unpopular with the majority, as it threatened to do at one time prior to 1880. That a certain section desires even further niodifications, in order to discourage a style of play which they dislike, and to which they often find them- LAWN TENNIS. 4I selves opposed, we must admit from the correspond- ence which we have lately published. But the grounds on w^hich these writers now ask for altera- ,tion are, as shown by the letters from championship players, widely different from those which led to the alterations of 1880. The latter v^'^ere carried to pre- vent mediocrity from having an advantage over supe- rior play. The present arguments tend to show that it is only over mediocrity itself at the back of the court that mediocrity at the net possesses any advan- tage. A player who takes his stand, like a monu- ment, close up to the net, is much more easily avoided by the striker who Is returning the ball than one who stands near to the service line. If a forward player stands very close to the net, the niference Is that his volleying is not sufficiently accurate or severe to ena- ble him to be effective further off. If he can be effective in his returns from a greater distance, it is manifestly to his advantage to stand there. That he elects to go close to the net is at once admission on his part that he Is at best but a second-class volleyer. Against good and well-judged returns, a forward player should stand either at least as far back as the service line, or else forswear forward play altogether while so opposed. "When inferior players oppose those of their own class, then It Is that the man at the net comes into play; he can then find It pays to stand close up, while, if his opponents were more skilled, he would see that his tactics practically extinguished himself. Those 42 LAWN TENNIS. who find the game spoilt, as regards themselves and others of their own caliber, by the play of the man at the net, have two courses open to them. They can either improve their own standard of play, and so enable themselves to demonstrate to the operator of whose style they complain that his tactics do not pay against their resources; or else they can, when inferior back play is confronted by similarly inferior net play (/. ^., when, as alleged, the game is thus spoilt for both sides), come to mutual understanding that forbearance shall be exercised on both sides, and that neither shall send a man to stand at the net," THE LAWS OF THE GAME. THE COURTS. I. The single court is seventy-eight feet long, and twenty-seven feet wide. It is divided across the middle by a net, the ends of which are attached to two posts, standing three feet outside of the court on either side. The height of the net is three feet, six inches at the posts, and three feet in the middle. At each end of the court, parallel with the net, and thirty-nine feet from it, are drawn the base lines, the ends of which are connected by the side lines. Half way between the side lines, and parallel with them, is drawn the half court line, dividing the space on each side of the net into two equal parts, the right and left courts. On each side of the net, at a dis- tance of twenty-one feet from it, and parallel with it, are drawn the service lines. LAWN TENNIS. 43 (The double court, for three and four-handed games, is in length the same as the single court, but it is enlarged in width from twenty-seven to thirty- six feet, but the service courts are the same size as in the single court. The net line, in a double court, is necessarily extended to forty-two feet in length.) THE BALL. 2. The ball shall measure not less than two inches and fifteen thirty-seconds of an inch, nor more than two and a half inches in diameter; and shall weigh not less than one ounce and fifteen-sixteenths of an ounce, nor more than two ounces. THE GAME. THE CHOICE OF SERVICE. 3. The choice of sides^ and the right to serve in the first game shall be decided by toss; provided that, if the winner of the toss choose the right to serve, the other player shall have choice of sides, and vice versa. If one player choose the court, the other may elect not to serve. THE SERVER. 4. The players shall stand on opposite sides of the net; the player who first delivers the ball shall be called the server, and the other the striker-out. 5. At the end of the first game the striker-out shall become server, and the server shall become 44 LAWN TENNIS. striker-out: and so on alternately in all the subse- quent games of the set, or series of sets. SERVING THE BALL, 6. The server shall serve with one foot on the ground outside of the base line, and with the other on the ground, within, or upon, that line. He shall deliver the service from the right and left courts, alternately, beginning from the right. 7. The ball served must drop between the service line, half court line, and side line of the court, diag- onally opposite to that from which it was served. FAULTS. 8. It is a Fault if the server fail to strike the ball, or if the ball served drop in the net, or beyond the service line, or out of court, or in the wrong court; or if the server do not stand as directed by Law 6. 9. A ball falling on a line is regarded as falling in the court bounded by that line. 10. A Faii!t cannot be taken. 11. After a Fault the server shall serve again from the same court from which he served that Fault, unless it was a Fault because he served from the wrong court. 12. A Fault cannot be claimed after the next service is delivered. BEING READY FOR THE SERVICE. 13. The " Server" shall not serve till the "Striker- LAWN TENNIS. 45 out " is ready. If the latter attempts to return the service he shall be deemed ready. 14. A Service or Fault delivered when the Striker- out is not ready, counts for nothing. VOLLEYING THE SERVICE. 15. The Service shall not be " Volleyed," viz.^ taken, before it has touched the ground. BALL IN PLAY. 16. A Ball is in Play on leaving the server's racquet, except as provided for in law 8. BALLS TOUCHING THE NET. 17. It is a good return, although the ball touch the net; but a service, otherwise good, which touches the net, shall count for nothing. WINNING A STROKE. 18. The server wins a stroke (or point) if the striker-out "volley" the service, or if he fail to return the service or the ball in play; or if he return the service or the ball in play so that it drops outside of his opponent's court; or if he otherwise lose a stroke, as provided by law 20. 19. The Striker-out wins a stroke if the Server serve tw^o consecutive faults; or if he fail to return the ball in play ; or if he return the ball in play so that 46 LAWN TENNIS. It drops outside of his opponent's court; or if he otherwise lose a stroke, as provided by law 20. LOSING A STROKE. 20. Either player loses a stroke if he return the service or the ball in play so that it touches a post of the net; or if the ball touch him or anything that he wears or carries, except his racquet in the act of striking; or if he touch the ball with his racquet more than once; or if he touch the net or any of its supports while the ball is in play; or if he "volley " the ball before it has passed the net; or if the servide or the ball in play touch a ball lying in his court. SCORING STROKES. 21. On either player winning his first stroke, the score is called fifteen for that player; on either player winning his second stroke, the score is called thirty for that player; on either player winning his third stroke, the score is called forty for that player; and the fourth stroke won by either player is scored game for that player, except as below : If both players have won three strokes, the score is called Deuce; and the next stroke won by either player is scored Advantage for that player. If the same player wins the next stroke, he wins the game; if he loses the next stroke the score returns to Deuce; and so on until one pla^^er wins the two strokes immediately following the score of Deuce, when Game is scored for that player. LAWN TENNIS. 47 SCORING GAMES. 22. The player who first wins six games wins the " Set," except as below : If both players win five games the score is called Games All ; and the next game won by either player is scored Advantage Game for that player. If the same player wins the next game, he wins the set; if he loses the next game the score returns to Games All; and so on, until either player wins the two games immediately fol- lowing the score of Games All, when he wins the Set. CHANGING SIDES. 23. The player shall change sides at the end of every set; but the umpire, on appeal from either player, before the toss for choice, may direct the players to change sides at the end of every game of each set, if, in his opinion, either side have a distinct advantage, owing to the sun, wind, or any other acci- dental cause; but if the appeal be made after the toss for choice, the umpire can only direct the players to change sides at the end of every game of the odd or deciding set. 24. When a series of sets is played, the player who served in the last game of one set shall be striker-out in the first game of the next. 25. The above laws shall apply to three-handed and four-handed games, except as below : THE FOUR-HANDED COURT. 36. For the three-handed and four-handed games 4© I, AWN riCNNIS. the court shall he lliirly-si\ feet in width. Four and a hair feet inside the side lines, and ])arallel with tiieni, are drawn the service side lines. The service lines are not drawn ])cyond the point at which they meet the service side lines. 27. In the three-handed ji^anic, the single player shall serve in every allernalc; r who served in the Hrst game sliall serve in llic llilid, and \\\c j)arlntT oC Ihe player who seived in the second game shall serve in the fourlh, and ihe same order shall he maintained in all the snhsetpient games of the set. 2(). At the heginning of the next set, either part- net of llu" |)air which strnck out in the last game of the last set may serve. 30, The players shall take the service alternately throngliont the game; a player cannot receive a serv- ice (lcli\'ered to his partner; and llie order of seivice and striking ont once estahlislied shall not he altered, nor shall Ihe striker ont change courts to receive the serx'iee till tlic end o(" the set. 31. It is a fault if llu> hall served does not drop hetw^een tlii' serviee line, liaH-eouil line, and service side line of the court, diagonally o])posite to that from which it was served. l.AWN TKNNI8, 49 TIIK Uyil'lHh\ iJJ'.CISrON FINAL. 32. In matches, th(; decision of the umpire shjdl he final. Should there fje two umpires, they shall divide the court l^etween them, and tfie decision oi' each shall he final in his share of the court. KULIiS IN GIVING OODS. 33. A Jjiscjue is one point which can he taken hy the receiver of the odds at any time in the set except as follows: (a) A V>isque cannot he taken after a service is delivered. (6) The server may not take a hisque after a fault, but the 8triker-out may do so. 34. One or more bisques may be j^iven to increase or diminish otlier odds. 35. Half fifteen is one stroke j^iven at tlie bej^in- ninj^ of the second, fourth, and every snbs(.-fjuent alternate j^ame of a set. 36. Fifteen is one stroke jj^iven at the he;_Miiijjii..^ of every j^ame of a set. 37. Half thirty is one stroke j^iven at the bej^in- ninj:^ of the first j^ame, two strokes j^iven at the bej^in- ninj^ of the second ^ame, and so on alternately in all the su})sequent games of the set. 38. Thirty is two strokes j^iven a the beginning of every game of a set. 39. Half forty is two strokes given at the begin- ning of the first game, three strokes given at the 3 50 LAWN TENNIS. beginning of the second game, and so on alternately, in all the subsequent games of the set. 40. Forty is three strokes given at the beginning of every game of a set. 41. Half Court: The players may agree into w^hich half court, right or left, the giver of the odds shall play; and, the latter loses a stroke if the ball returned by him drop outside any of the lines which border half court. DISPUTED POINTS DECIDED. Dr. James Dwight, a leading authority in Amer- ican Lawn Tennis circles, thus decides several cases of disputed points in the game which were sent to him for adjudication; Case I. Can a player follow a ball over the net with his racquet, provided that he hits the ball on his own side of the net? Decision. Yes. The only restrictions are, that he shall not volley the ball until it has crossed the net, and that he shall not touch the net or any of its supports. Case II. A player is standing outside of the court and volleys the ball; he then claims that the ball was out. Decision. The ball is in play until it touches the ground outside of the court. The player's position is of no consequence whatever. Case III. A player standing outside of the court LAWN TENNIS. 5 I catches the ball, and claims that it was certainly going out. Who wins the stroke? Decision. His adversary. It is a very common thing for a player to stop a ball in this way, and score the point, but it is by courtesy only that he is allowed to do so. He loses the stroke if his opponent claims it. Case IV. The service is delivered before the striker-out is ready. He tries to return it and fails. Is he entitled to have it played over ? Decision. No. If he attempts to return the service, he is deemed ready. Case V. A ball having been played over the net, bounces back into the court from which it came. The player reaches over the net and plays it before it falls. Has he a right to do so ? Decision. Yes, provided he does not touch the net. He has a right to play the ball at any time from the moment it crosses the net into his court, until it touches the ground a second time. Case VI. A ball is played into the net; the net player on the other side, thinking that the ball is com- ing over, strikes at it and hits the net. Who loses the stroke? Decision. It is simply a question of which hap- pened first. If the player touched the net while the ball was still in play, he loses the stroke. Hitting the net after the ball is dead can make no difference. Case VIL A player is struck by the ball served 52 LAWN TENNIS. before it has touched the ground, he being outside of the service court. How does it count? Decisio7i. The player struck loses the point. The service is presumably good until it strikes in the wrong court. A player cannot take the decision upon himself by stopping the ball. If it is going to be a fault, he has only to get out of the way. Case VIII. A bystander gets in the way of a player; the latter attempts to return the ball and fails. Has he a right to have the hand played again? Decision. Not if he attempted to return the ball. But if he makes no such attempt, and in the luiipire's opinion the bystander was distinctly in the way, he shall then have a right to have the hand played over. HINTS ON SCORING. The only data on which a correct estimate of a player's skill can be based, in Lawn Tennis, is that which gives the figures of the score of aces by serv- ice and returns. When a player serves the ball, and his opponent fails to return it, the former scores an Ace by Service; and when, on the return of the served ball, the server fails to return it successfully to his opponent, the latter scores an Ace by Return. By this data it is readily ascertained, by the figures of the score, whether a player is most skilful in making a diflEicult service, or whether he is most effective in returning served balls. In a detailed score, too, which records the character of every played ball, LAWN TENNIS. 53 whether it be a "fault," a "served" ball, a "returned" ball, a " volleyed" return, together with the number of " exchanges " of played balls, the data for an anal- ysis of a player's general skill is obtained, on which a correct average of his season's play can be made out, something hitherto unattainable under the old method of scoring the game. The scorer, in making out a detailed score, will have to note down every individual ball played, and to do this correctly he must watch the game closely, for the movements of the players are very rapid, and if his attention is distracted, even but for a moment, he will be very apt to lose the run of the play. For this reason the scorer of a match game should never act in the double capacity of umpire as well as scorer. In scoring " faults " no notice is to be taken of individual faults, but only of faults yielding aces, as it is frequently a point in the game in serving t?ie ball to make a fault on the first ball served, in order to deceive an opponent as to the character of the service. An Ace by Service is indicated by the figure one, with a dot placed over it, thus, (j). An Ace by Return is shown by the simple figure one, thus, (i ). An Ace Scored after a number of "volley" ex- changes—viz. : Returns of fly balls — is marked thus, ( i^), the figure above the one showing the number of "volley" exchanges made before the ace was scored. An Ace by P'aults is indicated by the letter (f), 54 LAWN TENNIS. and it is recorded to the credit of the opposing player as a return in the total count at the close of the set. The scorer should require the umpire to call each ace scored as made. Thus "15" for the first ace, "30" for the second, " 40 " for the third, and "game" for the fourth. When the score stands at one to nothing the call is " 15 love," the word love indicat- ing no score. When the tally is 40 to 40 the call should be "deuce;" when the next ace is scored after " deuce " the call is " vantage," and the next ace scored after vantage — if by the same player — is game. If the next after "vantage" is by the opposing player, then the call is "deuce " again. CONSTITUTION AND BY-LAWS. ARTICLE I. NAME. The name of the Club shall be the Kenwood Lawn Tennis Club. ARTICLE IL OFFICERS. The officers of the Club shall be a President, a Secretary and Treasurer, and an Executive Commit- tee of seven, two of whom shall be the President, und the Secretary and Treasurer. Said officers shall be elected by a majority vote of the Club, at the annual meeting in April, hereinafter provided for, or at any special meeting called for that purpose. They shall hold their respective offices for the term of one year, and until their successors shall be elected. Vacancies occurring in office shall be filled by a majority vote of the Club at any special meeting. (55) 56 CONSTITUTION AND BY-I.AWS. ARTICLE III. MEMBERSHIP. Membership shall be of three classes: Active, associate and honorary. The number of active members shall be limited to fifty. Application for active or associate membership may be made to any member of the Club. Each candidate must be pro- posed by one and seconded by another member. No candidate shall be eligible for membership if under seventeen years of age. All such applications shall be reduced to writing, dated, and signed by the pro- poser and seconder, and sent to the Secretary, who shall thereupon post the names of such candidates, together with the names of their proposers and seconders, and date of application, upon the bulletin board in the Club House, in the order in which such applications are received by him, and their names shall be voted upon in that order. The election may be held at any of the bi-monthly meetings hereinafter provided for, and shall be by ballot, a two-thirds vote of all the members being necessary to elect. Provided^ That no candidate shall be voted for, whose name has not been posted for seven days. The Secretary shall immediately notify candidates of their election. ARTICLE IV. MEETINGS. There shall be two general meetings each year: One to be held in the first week of April, and one at KENWOOD LAWN TENNIS CLUB. 57 the close of the season. There shall also be stated meetings of the Club, held at the Club House on the first and third Saturdays of each month during the season, at 5:30 p. m., for the election of candi- dates for membership, and the transaction of general business. Special meetings may be held at any time on call of the President or the Executive Committee. The Secretary shall give seven days notice in writ- nig to each member of any such special meeting, stating the time and place of meeting and the busi- ness for which it is called, and only such business shall be transacted at that meeting. The Secretary shall give like notice of the two general meetings. Seven members shall constitute a quorum at all meetings of the Club. The Executive Committee shall meet at any time, at the call of any member thereof, notice having been given to each member ; and at all meetings of the Executive Committee three members shall con- stitute a quorum. ARTICLE V. ACTIVE MEMBERS. The annual membership subscription for active members shall be $10, payable within ten days after election as to new members, and on the first day of May in each year for existing members. 58 CONSTITUTION AND BY-LAWS, ARTICLE VI. ASSOCIATE MEMBERS. Associate members shall pay an annual subscrip- tion of $10. They shall be entitled to the privileges of the Club, but shall have no vote in the manage- ment of its affairs. Associate members shall be entitled to become active members at any time, upon application in writing to be approved by the Execu- tive Committee. ARTICLE Vn. EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE. The Executive Committee shall be empowered from time to time to make such assessments on the active members, in addition to the annual subscrip- tion, as may be required to meet current expenses. Notice of each assessment, stating the date and amount thereof, shall be posted in the Club House, and members not paying the same within ten days shall be notified by the Secretarj^ Active members not paying their annual fees within ten days from the first day of May shall also be notified by the Secretary. If members so notified shall not pa}' their annual subscription or assessment duly made, within ten days after receiving notice from the Secretary, they shall, at the expiration of said time, be notified by the Secretary of the forfeiture of their rights as members. In case of absence, or for other good KENWOOD LAWN TENNIS CLUB. 59 cause, the Executive Committee may extend the time of payment of subscriptions and assessments. ARTICLE VIII. EXPENDITURES. No expenditure shall be incurred on behalf of the Club, unless previously sanctioned by the Executive Committee, — provided^ however, that the officers of the Club, or any members acting under the authority of the Executive Committee, shall have power to incur such proper expenditures as may be required for carrying on the play. ARTICLE IX. AMENDMENTS. These by-laws may be amended at any meeting of the Club, by a two-thirds vote of all the members present, seven days notice in writing having been given by the Secretary, stating the proposed amend- ment. RULES. 1. The game shall be played in accordance with the rules adopted by the United States National Lawn Tennis Association, and each member is re- quested to provide himself with a copy of such rules. 2. Playing in shoes with heels or spikes is strictly 60 KENWOOD LAWN TENNIS CLUB. prohibited, and a notice to this effect shall be kept posted in the Club House. 3. Members shall not be entitled to occupy the courts after they have finished a set, if other mem- bers are waiting to play. A slate and pencil will be provided at the Club House, on which members are requested to enter their names on arrival at the ground, and they will be entitled to play in the order in which their names stand on the slate. No two members shall occupy a double court to the exclusion of other members wishing to play. 4. The last players must see that the nets, balls, etc., are returned to their proper places. 5. All disputes shall be referred to the President, who may settle the same, or in his discretion nomi- nate three members, to whom the dispute shall be referred and whose decision shall be final. 6. Each member may introduce one friend, a res- ident of Chicago, to take part in the game; but the same visitor may not be introduced more than twice in one month. Each member may also introduce a friend, a non-resident of Chicago, who shall be enti- tled to the privileges of the Club for fourteen days. No member, however, shall introduce more than one friend at a time, and in all cases notice of the inten- tion to introduce a visitor shall first be gi.ven to the Executive Committee. 7. Ladies shall be entitled to the privileges of the grounds. They may play on Fridays (which day is KENWOOD LAWN TENNIS CLUB. 6l set apart as the ladies' day) all day, and upon other days till 3 p. m., on compliance with the rules. 8. A copy of the rules shall be furnished to every member, and all members shall be bound b}' them. 9. These rules may be added to or amended at any general or stated meeting of the Club, without notice; but any such addition or amendment shall be in-unediately posted in the Club House. 10. The Club Colors shall be dark blue and white. ^^§®i ^^m ^i^TO ©lll% Kenwood, Hyde Park, III., April i8, 1885. Gentlemen : I am instructed by the Executive Committee of the Kenwood Lawn Tennis Club, to inform you that at a meeting of the Committee, held this day, it was " Resolved, That the Executive Committee of '' the Kenwood Lawn Teftnis Club, do hereby '' adopt ' SPALDING'S TRADE - MARKED ''LAWN TENNIS BALL' as the standard '' batt of the Club.'' I remain. Gentlemen, Tour Obedient Servant, Edward R. Woodle, Secretary, etc. Kenwood Lazvn Tennis Chib. Messrs. A. G. Spalding & Bros., Chicago and New York. TENNIS SETS. Our line of Tennis Sets are made up with special reference to the requirements of our retail trade, and are the best sets for the price in the market. In addition to the styles listed, we can make sets with fancy bats in handsome box for presentation. PRICES OF COMPLETE SETS. No. o. Consisting- of 4 cheap bats, 2 balls, short net, 2 poles, etc $ 6 00 " I. Consisting- of 4 No. i bats, 4 rubber balls, i net 27x3 feet 2 portable poles, i mallet, i set guy ropes, book of rules in box complete 1000 No. 3. Consisting- of 4 No. 3 bats, i net 33x3 feet, 4 covered balls, 2 portable poles, i set g-uy ropes, i mallet, book of rules in box complete 15 00 No. 4. Consisting of 4 No. 4 bats, i net 42x3 feet, 4 covered balls, 2 portable poles, i mallet, i set guy ropes, book of rules in box complete 20 00 No. 5, Consisting- of 4 No. 5 bats with cedar handles, i net 42x3 feet, 6 covered balls, 2 portable poles, i mallet, 1 set guy ropes, book of rules in box complete, making- a very fine set 25 00 No. 6. Consisting of 4 No. 6 bats with cork handles, i net 42x3 feet, 12 covered balls, 2 portable poles, i mallet, i set guy ropes, book of rules in handsome box complete 30 00 LAWN TENNIS NETS. Each 27x3 feet of best netting- twine $1 75 33x3 " " '• 250 42x3 " " " 300 Lawn Tennis Net Forks for supporting- net in center i 00 LAWN TENNIS NET POLES. No. I. Ordinary portable poles Per pair, $1 00 " 2. Good " " " 150 " 3. Best " " " 200 " 4. 414 foot standard maple pole '* 200 " S- 45^ foot standard ebonite pole " 300 LAWN TENNIS BALL. No. I. Plain Rubber, not covered, per doz. $3 00 No. 2. Spalding's Trade- ' I Marked Regulation Ten- (l^m^ nis Ball, made of best quality rubber, and cover- » __^ ^ - ^ // ed with highest quality , ^^ ,,,,.,/ vvhite felt, full warranted per doz. $5 00 No. 4. Ayres Tennis y!fc*^- ^i^^B^ Balls 600 A. G. SPALDING & BROS., 108 MADISON ST., CHICAGO. 241 BROADWAY, NEW YORK. TENNIS BATS, As it is most important to the player to have a bat that suits him exact- ly, we have selected our styles with great care, and being- practical players, we feel that we know what is required. Vie therefore present the follow- ing line with confidence that it will give satisfaction to all. i i .S be J3 -C C be a 3 a Xi ^ be ^ ^ •^ bt a ^ a < < < GOO -^ ^ ^ Ai C. SPALDPNC 108 MADISON ST.. CHICAGO. i& BROS., 241 BROADWAY. a :S 1 o bfi 1 .13 -o ^ 8 ^ u 8 ^ o o <: S 1 c U § ^ S c c •-» H lo o o z ^ ^ NEW YORK. TENNIS BATS. 8 a I A. G. SPALDING & BROS., 108 MADISON ST., CHiCAfiO, 241 BROADWAY, NEW YORK. LAWN TENNIS BAT OASES. No. I. Made of Green Flannel $ 75 '« a. *" Green Baize i oo " 3. " Waterproof Twill and Leather Bound i 50 MAHOGANY CASE. For holding one or two bats to keep from warping. Price. .$S 00 The Rotary Lawn Tennis Court Marker. No, I. Extra Large Wheel $5 00 Croquet Charm $1 50. Archery Charm $1 5o- A. G. SPALDING & BROS., 108 MADISON ST., CHICAGO. 241 BROADWAY. NEW YORK. SPALDING'S TRADE;»MARKED TENNIS BELTS. Our No. o, or Club Belt is made of the best Worsted Webbing-, 2j^ inches wide, mounted in best manner, with larg-e nickel plated buckle, and is the finest belt made. Our No. i belt is made of same webbing, leather mounted. We use the following- colors of webbing, and in ordering please state the color wanted or order by the style number: No. A, Red. No. B, Blue. No. C, Navy iUue. No. D, Brown. No. E, Black. No. F, White. No. G, Red, White Edge. No. H, Blue, White Edge. No. o. Club style, nickel plated buckle each 50c, No. I. Leather mounted, double buckle and strap ** 40c, Per doz. $6 00 " 4 SO LAWN TENNIS PANTS. Each. Doz. No. o. Club flannel Pants, white, blue or gray $5 00 $54 00 No. I. First quality twilled flannel, white, blue or red 4 00 42 00 No. 2. Second quality twilled flannel, white, blue or gray 3 25 36 00 No. 3. Third quality. Shaker flannel, white only 2 25 24 00 No. 4. Boys' sizes only, fourth quality. , . i 50 iS 00 KNEE TIGHTS. Worsted Knee Tights, each $3 00 Cotton Knee Tights i 00 LAWN TENNIS STOCKINGS. Per Doz. No. o. Regulation, made of the finest worsted yarn. The following colors can be obtained: white, light blue, navy blue, scarlet, gray, green, old gold, brown $18 00 No. I. Fine quality Woolen Stockings, scarlet, blue or brown 12 00 No. 2. Good •• '* *' " " " 900 No. 3. Second quality Woolen Stockings, scarlet or blue, with white or drab cotton feet , 6 00 TENNIS SHOES. Extra Fine Calf -skin, maroon, yellow and black, per pair $6 00 Fine Canvas Shoes, per pair $1 50, 3 00, 4 00, 5 00 A. G. SPALDING & BROS., 108 MADISON ST., CHICAGO. 241 BROADWAY, NEW YORK. LAWN TENNIS CAPS AND HATS. LAWN TENNiS HAT Made of white flannel, trimmed any color, flat top or round, same as cut (the plain white flannel and trimming- are mostly used) $i 50 2d quality i 25 LAWN TENNIS CAP, Same style as cut, flannel(white, blue or gray), with or with- out Visor $ 71; In addition to the styles above mentioned we are prepared to make any style of Cap known, and will furnish at prices corresponding to above. LAWN TENNIS SHIRTS. LACED FRONT SHIRT. ■^■"x o. Tennis Club Shirt, )f extra heavy flannel, nade expressly for our :Iub trade, any style, Ea. Pr.Dz. vhite, blue or gray $5 00 <$54 00 N 3. I. First quality tw'ld iannel, white, blue or ?ray 4 00 42 00 3. 2. Second qual. tw'ld iannel, white, blue or ?-ray 3 25 36 00 "N 3. 3. Third quality, Shaker flannel, white or jray 225 2400 N ). 4. Boj's' sizes only, )f fourth quality i 50 1800 Cfose Fifctins: Shirts. \N orsted knit, tight fitting eques- trian Shirts, each $3 50 Cotton knil ditto, each 200 A. G. SPALDENC & BROS., 108 MADISON ST.. CHICAGO. 241 BROADWAY, NEW YORK. DIRECTIONS FOR MEASUR MENT. Shirt. Size of Collar worn <, Length of Sleeve, bent from center of back Size around Chest Length of Yoke from shoulder to shoulder Pants. Size around Waist Length of outside seam from Waist to 8 inches below the Knee. (For Full Pants, measure to the foot.) Length of inside seam; Size around Hips Coat. Size of Chest Size around Waist Length from Center Seam, in back, to Shoulder Seam Leng-th from Shoulder Seam to Wrist, with arm bent Length from Collar to bottom of Coat A. G. SPALDING & BROS., 108 MADISON ST., CHICAGO. 241 BROADWAY, NEW YORK. Ilie largest Snorting Us House IN THE WORLD. Manufacturers, Importers and Wholesale and Retail Dealers in GENERAL SPORTIN& GOODS OF SUPERIOR QUALITY. It being universally acknowledged that we lead the world in the manufacture and sale of Sas© Sail Supplies of every des- cription, we can, with considerable pride, call your attention to the leading articles included in this department of our business. "Spalding's LEagnE" Ball adopted as the official ball of the S^atleaal Sf©agtt© and other associations, and acknowledged the best ball made. We also manu- facture several other grades of balls for professional or amateur use. Spaldlsg^s ^sadi©=Ma?£ged •wttBPPH BPIiIs BP¥g*^ made from superior selected stock, thoroughly seasoned, turned by hand in the most approved models, and highly polished. These bats have been used exclusively by the champion batters of the National League for the past seven years. CATCHERS' MASKS, GLOVES, AND BREAST PROTEC- TORS, SCORE BOOKS, BELTS. SHOES, SHOE PLATES, BAT BAGS, BASES, TURN- STILES AND STAND CUSHIONS. ®as© ©all 1ifiai.iffo)giam.s> made to measure in the latest styles. Send for i6 Page Journal of Summer Sports and Catalogue of Base Ball Supplies. A. C. Spalding &, Bros., io8 Madison St., 241 Broadway, CHICAGO. NEW YORK. The Largest Seneral Sporting his House IN THE WORLD. A. G. SPALDING & BROS. Manufacturers, Importers, and Wholesale and Retail Dealers in General Sporting Goods ®f Siip©s4®F Quality. By late additions to our former excellent stock, we have now the largest and most complete assortment of fine hunting material in the country, consisting of Guns, Rifles, Revolvers, and Gun Material, Single and Double Barrel Muzzle Loaders, Single and Double Barrel Breech- Loaders, including all standard English and American manufactures. Single and Double Barrel Hammerless Breech- Loaders, including the celebrated Westley Richards, and other English and American makes. Repeating Rifles, Single Shot Rifles, Gallery Rifles, Saloon Rifles, Air Rifles, and Muzzle- Loading Rifles, over one hundred varieties of Revolvers, Hunting Garments of every description. Powder, Shot, Shells, Glass Balls, Clay Pigeons, Traps, Etc. Loaded Shells a Specialty. Spalding's Thirty-two Page Illustrated Journal of Field Sports and Gun Catalogue sent free. A. G. SPALDING & BROS. io8 Madison St., CHICAGO. 241 Broadway, NEW YORK. THE liARGEST Sporlinjilooisbe IN THE WORLD. Manufacturers, Importers a d Wholesale and Retail Dealers in SENERALl ISP0RTIN6I I 600DS I OF 8TJPEK10K QUALITY. The Feature of our assortment of l!*£®&£ag ^^aefel© is the extremeljr fine quality of all goods handled by us. Sportsmen who appreciate the merits of articles which have been thoroughly tested will at once recognize that "the best is the cheapest," and the best oppoi;tunities for sport are often lost through defective apparatus. We carry a large line of the highest quality of Bass, Trout and Fly Rods, IN LANCEWOOD, SPLIT AND NATURAL BAMBOO. German Silver^ Nickel and Brass Multiplying Reels Of single, double, treble and quadruple multiplying action. Snellel and Ringed flooSs, Trolling SDoons, Baits and Artilcial Files In great variety and of the highest quality. SILK, LIlSrEN^ ANJy COTTOlSr lillSTES, Braided or cable laid, raw or oiled, and of any len([;th. SINKERS, SWIVELS, FLOATS, ROD MOUNTINGS, TACKLE AND ROD CASES, BAIT BOXES, BUCKETS, BAGS. LUNCH BASKETS, ETC. NEWS OTD SEINER 0F nhh KINDJS. Also a full line of Camp Tents, Chairs, etc., Oars, Row Locks, Pocket Compasses, Flasks, Drinking Cups, and other articles necessary to the convenience of the Angling Fraternity. Spalding's 24 Page Angler and Tackle Catalogue Sent Free. A. C. SPALDING & BROS., 108 Madison Street, CHICAGO. 241 Broadway, NEW YORK. f o« eF4LBiN/o ^ Kmee** CHICAGO STORE. . O O C 'O 0.2 C ^ - o c SCfl d ^'2 o iO r- ^ u-r^ > G. SPALDIIG & 1B0S., lOS MADISON STREET, CHICAGO. 24 i Broadway, New York. S.LAWK TENNIS The Largest General Sporting Goods House in the World. A. Q. SPALDING & BROS., Manufacturers, Importers and Wholesale and Retail Dealers in QIMIB^L SPOITWG GOODS OF SUPERIOR QUALITY, Making a specialty of supplying- cluhs :ind the hest retail trade, we have manufactured a Ime of &A,W1« TWMMJi.^ SB)^'S which are beyond question the 1 Iandsomest, Lightest, Best Finished, and most durable sets to be found anywhere. WE HAVE A LARGE STOCK OF THE GELEBEATED KENWOOD, WINDERMERE, UNION GLUB AND JUNIOR BATS, AND THE SPALDING" REGULATION TENNIS BALL, ADOPTED AS THE OFFICIAL BALL OF THE KENWOOD LAWN TENNIS CLUB. ALSO A FULL LINE OF Handle Covers, Bat Cases, Nets, Poles, Court Markers, etc. Also Lawn Tennis Uniforms, consisting of Shirt, Pants, Cap, Belt, Hose and Shoes. SPA1LI>IN«'S liAWHT TJRWIVIS MABfU AD. — (Illustrated.) Containing full instructions in the popular g-ame of Lawn Tennis. I lustrated articles for beginners, and the new rules of the National Lawn Tennis Association. 73 pages. Price, by mail, 10 cents. Send for 16 Page Journal of Summer Sports and Catalogue of Lawn Tennis Supplies. A. G. SPALDING & BROS. 108 Madison St., CHICAGO. 241 Broadway, NEW YORK.