The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1894-04-29

NEW YORK; ~ W
Eighteen thousand baseball ersnks saw the
League season cut loose at the Polo grounds
yesterday In spite Of tho unfavorable weather.
with clear skies and warm sun 1t Is probable
that the attendance would have reached
25.OOO Under the circumstances IL was the
largest opening-day crowd in the history oil
tho New York Club. and showed beyond q
doubt that the interest In the game has en-
Hrely revived.
Although the eranka awoke to look upon
lovely weather. their hearts wore soon hlled
with lead. Tho clouds gathered shortly before
noon. and then the rain began total. gently Mt
first and later in quite food. The elevated
trains as early as IL o'clock were crowded. and
as they reached tho terminus at 155th street
the crowds poured down the stairways md
focked around the big gates OF the Polo
grounds. As soon AS tho rain fell there was
general sadness and many an enthusiast de-
sided TO stay Mt homo. But the rank and file
came along Just the Same. prepared for any
thing short Of an earthquake.
At Tx o'clock, tho time for opening the
eates. the crowd had reached large proper
tions and the long lines 10 front OF the box
ofice windows indicated busy day for the
ticket sellers. When all was ready. Superin-
tendent Bell gave . signal. and tho massive
doors rolled back before tho crushing multi
tude. Halt dollars were pushed up to
the ticket sellers. and second or
two later steady flow OF PASTE
loard kept the turnstile mon and ticket
takers on n continual Jump. 1t was nearly
four hourp before the game started. and yet q
great crowd showed. pushed. jostled. and
jamued itself through the narrow PASSAGE
ways into the big nmphitheatre. whore every
body rushed for the choice seatson the bleach
Ing boards and the grand stand.
mn ia ha M a atn0d fhouaanda ~
sons who we're waiting for the rain to stop be-
fore they parted with their hard-esrned coin.
They didn't like the rain check idea. and
wanted their moneys worth then and there or
not at all
As the trains kept smptying the crowd into
Eighth avenue. tho saloons and hucksters did
o thriving business. The innocent public was
uncersm oniously waylGid by individuals who
had score cards. pencils chewing gum. pen
nuts. cough drops candy frankfurters. and
sleeve buttons to dispose OF ut ridiculously low
rates The saloons had an extra force Of bar
tonders at work. who had been particularly
instructed to give more foam than real bser
for the regular tariff rates. and sell all the
stale cigars OF years collection. Conse-
quently. II tho ball club didn't get the publc's
money at flrst there were other institutions
that did. and so somebody was a winner any
way.
Over In Jersey City ut l2H o'clock stood
Shrse local rooters. led by Patricius Powers
ohsy were waiting for tho special train from
Baltimore bearing $50 wild-eyed cranks to
the slaughter OF their pets. The train rolled
into the Pennsylvania depot on time. and the
Baltim oreans were on board a ferryboat In
less time than it takes to write II. Each wore
o silver pin on his coat lapel and a knot OF
yellow and black ribbon on the head
OF his cane. Each used his lungs
with unusual horse power and each
had a lovely smile. Patrlcius led them up
Cortlandt street to tho Ninth avenue L. sta
zion. whore special train In charge of Col. F.
X. Hahn. was In waiting. Once aboard the
fyer and the trip to the Polo grounds was
made at killing speed. Through the main en-
trance the dslega alton rushed. and when they
halted In front OF the Baltino ores dressing
room. they sent this cheer skyrocketing into
space:
RBC.! r. X g. Baltimore baseball erAnks are We
That was the signal for an ovation from the
ninth Reg lment Band. which had been giving a
mediately proceeded to where the baltimore
eranks had halted. and Judge Cullom. who was
dered The visitors to form in line. Then the
band struck up My Maryland" and the whole
party swung up t9yard the grand stand while
President Van Colt and Treasurer Talcott
were, waiting 70 receive the Baltimore
the Leading eranks from Qystervllle. came up.
Mr.; Talcott presented them with beautiful
pitslity to the New orE efs who visited Baiti.
more q week ago. While the pand still played
escorted to a section OF reserved seats directly
back OF the baltimore players bench.
cranks were soaking shelter under the grand
stand and carriage SHEDS 10 centre Held. The
All huf nat
stand was being rapidly nlled. however. aud
been taken; The private boxes were hiied
with stylishly dressed women and pretty girls.
who watched the vast assemblaRe with ever
The deeorations were Hastily arranged. and
grand stand was q mass Of flags, strsAmsrs
and tanners. and even the bleaching boards
fIntterins pennantA 10th eInb houses w SI
also adorned with bunting OF various eolors,
ana on the lofty naRpole IN centre neld waved
the league pennARts won 80 Valiantly in 1893
senator David B. Hill drove into the grounds
welcomed By President Van uott He was in
stantly recognized and royalty ehssred as he
the grand stand, where theT occupied private |
box; The Senator has been baseball enthu- |
Yorks come marching upon the field he
souldn't help thinking Of his old friend Danny
sfSg or tRS Ss% oPFE sy 'sIoGd 6eif ,s SO
Was also In q private box, together with many
local city officials and politicians. Among the |
many who saw the game were the following;
William 4. Whitney, Richard Croker COmmissioneF
Michael I. DAILY Judge HenTy T. HoWlARd. J. d LsATy
EdEAld stokeS DistIet Attorney John X FslloWs |
Col Kin sx AaJor Hugh J. Grant. Gen. Ferdinand p.
kArls W. y Jasper. SorPorati9n Counsel ". q CLARK
Sheriff sexton. Col william Jay, John y. Carroll u
sargent Cram, James j. Coogan Edward Gould charles
pslmonieo Col n hAin Joseph , o,Donohas. |
W B. Wheeler James CushmAn, LsSsoa Il |
ullsI. ,. Hamilton. Police Justice Grady.
Gel Bssdisston DSyid AeGlgIs COZ Ersd RupPsft |
ply. Louis Lew, Park CommissionsT EdHaTd He'll |
Hon, John scannelL Henry u PuTrJy D n Coudsrt. |
JaInss ~ srard John Mccall Col Thomas T. OchiL,
GsS JAmss 2 hyde. CLauncsy IruAx. Police Com |
missioner James Marlin, lnETsct Conlin. George
EhrsL Il u. uAlsieAd. spadlng de GATmsndiA lsai
Wssiervslt John EAT. Jossph GaFdon. Hsnry Won |
der HorsG ", Il, NaltL aud many others
At 80 o'clock the rain stopped falling and |
the gates were besleged by the people who had |
bsan elotohing thetr money In their hands In