The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1895-04-15
OPENING OF THE SEASON
Scranton Will Play Its First Game
on Home Grounds Today.
POT1SvILLE OUR OPPONENTS
Gaffncy win Umpire'tho Gamo, Which Is
to DC Called at 3:3O-BrOwn, johnson,
Rodgers and Reagan win Occupy
the Points for Scranton Team.

The first home practice game Of the
season will be played at the base ball
park this afternoon between the Scran-
ton team of the Eastern league and the
Pottsville champions Of last years
State league Gaffney, the star UNI
pire of the Eastern league, will umpire
the game, which will be called at $3.50
o'clock. Gaffney will arrive here to-
day from his home in Worcester, Mass,
and will watch the plate in all of the
two weeks practice games in this city.
Dick Brownand Johnson, and Rodgers
and Reagan will be in the points for
Scranton. Brown is the ex-Baltimorean
twirler. He is a southpaw and is said.
to throw with equal ease either ball
that would curve around q circus tent
or a ball of fabricated lightning. Rea-
gan Is the popular little catcher of last
years Eurekas, of this city. He Is
showing his PAGES with a possibility of
being signed. On last weeks trip he
was troubled some with .rattles while
behind the bat, but could knock the
ball into the sun at any stage of the
game, provided the sun was in the right
direction.
Grounds Are In Condition.
Manager Billy Barnie, President
Belts and Director Jordan visited the
grounds yesterday afternoon and were
satisfied that the field would be in con-
dition for today's game II no rain falls
In the interval. All that is lacking is
the laying of lime lines and a few turns
wi hn MT ,Icta md
and bleachers are ready for occupancy,
but considerable work will have to be
performed before the grounds off the
| field are levelled and the ticket office
and entrance are ready for the opening
Of the regular season on Monday,
April 20.
1t should be remembered that car
riages cannot be admitted this year.
The space in the rear of the grandstand
has been arranged as an approach to
the stand. A space for carriages has
| been secured in the field across the
street from the park.
The players are III IS good condition
as could be expected after only three
practice games. The damp weather
| and a lack of opportunity for outdoor
exercise has kept them slightly stiff
ened and sore after the three games.
But, everything considered, they are
in fair condition, and, when the time
comes, will give a proper account of
themselves.
Health Of the Players.
Second Baseman Ward is somewhat
| indisposed and Rodgers is lame owing
to being hit by a ball on the knee. His
lameness Is trivial, though.
In speaking of his men, Manager
Barnie refrains from being outspoken.
To even the officers of the club he has
not committed himself. but it is evil
dent from his manner that he is satis-
fled. Whether games are won or lost.
the cranks can for two weeks afford
to withhold criticism.
Shortstop Sweeney has been selected
to captain the team on the field. He is
in good position to watch q game.
and personally he is cool and a player
Of rare judgment.
For two weeks the team will be at
home, excepting one day at Carbondale.
Syracuse opens the regular season
here. Until that time the schedule of
games is as follows:
Schedule OF Games.
Monday, April 10, with Pottsville;
Tuesday April 16, with Pottsville;
Wednesday April II, with Onandaga
Indians; Thursday, April IS, with MUIR
ray Hills; Friday, April 10, with Muir
ray Hills; Saturday, April 20, with
Binghamton; Monday, April 90, with
Carbondale; Tuesday, April 90, with
Binghamton; Wednesday, April "a, at
Carbondale; Thursday, April 25, with
Hazleton; Friday, April 26, with Halle
ton; Saturday morning), April 81, with
Cuban Giants.
On Saturday afternoon, April 27, the
Cornell-Princeton game will be played
here.
President Young, of the National
league. has given an Interpretation to
the rule making caught foul tip
strike. for the direction of umpires. AS
published by the league meeting, the
rule was open to varied constructions,
owing to its ambiguity. Mr.. Young
says 1t Is a strike in every sense and
that a base runner may steal a base
as upon an ordinary strike.