The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1896-05-02

Let the veteran cranks turn back the
pages of history and 1t is doubtful II they
can find an opening game held under
more favorable auspices than that Of yes
terday. Everything In the ceremony
preliminary to the opening OF the base
ball season of 1896 was carried out with
a smoothness and precision that warrants
the Proivdence-W Wiikesbarre game being
called decided success. From the APP
pearance OF Adelaide Park, Providence, has
evidently gone baseball mad, for the
grand stand, bleachers and even parts of
the field were crowded 10 overfowing
with as Jolly q set OF spectators as ever
rooted for a home team His Honor,
Mayor McGuinness, was In evidence yes
terday. and endeared himself to the local
BASEBALL fraternity by his clever right
hand catch of the ball from the umpire
and his graceful, old-time baseball play
ing style IN which ne urUvU rhe ban 10
Hodson during the closing ceremonies
Just prior to the beginning OF the game.
On the grand stand and bleachers many
"reminiscences were related as old favori,es
appeared on the diamond in the practice
work. There were many seli-appointed
critics who remarked upon the playing
OF this or that man with the abandon
and general confidence OF the sporting
editor; but when the booming of the
Hedley- Liysey Band subsided and Umpire
Thomas B. Kelley called "play ball" a
hush fell over the multitude and at last
the season as.under way.
Taken as q whole the game was as pretty
a one as one would want TO witness. The
fielding and batting was sharp, and the
work of the batteries was all that could be
asked, while there were just enough mis-
rlave IN 1ntprGsfinn kpQnan
pitched for the aggregation from the coal
regions, and showed both speed and
readiness, though he was not quite as
effective as Eodson.
The Grays showed up in magnificent
form, both In the field and at the bat. and
| played with a snap and vim characteris-
| tic OF coltish team. In base running
| the work of Murray and Canavan was
| clever and daring, their combinations
| were hard to beat, and when this tear
| struck the bags the inevitable result
| would be several stolen bases. In strong
contrast TO their work was that of the
Wilkesbarre team, not tase being stolen
| throughout the game, due to Hodson's
close watching OF the Fuses and Dixon's
| superb throwing. Probably the most
| brilliant feature of the game was
| knights great running catch in the
| fourth inning. He was Standing well
back in the left field territory when Earle
sent low fly TO short left. Simnltane-
Gus with the crack of the bat Joe
started, and sprinting like deer gath
cred in the dropping spheriod within {
foot of the ground. AS one.ot the lsdies II
the grand stand remarked "It was just
too lovely for anything, the way in which
he let himself out like te e.escope."
Now and then the ball l~N9uld drop into
the deep OF the bleachers with splas hing
noise that created ripple OF laughter
among the spectators and fenced to lesser
the tension for the time being.
From the very start the Grays took the
lead and gradually forcing still ahead ot
the Barons finally won out by the score
| of 3 runs 10 b.
The Providence and Wilkesbsrre teams
will again play at Adelaide Park today
The summary;