Delaware gazette and state journal., 1896-04-30
BASEBALL SEASON OPENED
The Opening Game In This City
Tuesday Afternoon.
EXTREMELY LARGE ATTENDANCE
Play Preceded by Speeches by
City Officials.
Wilmington and Paterson the contestine
Tesms7Tbs Contest One Of the Most Ex-
citing Ever Seen Here--A Victory Scored
by the visitors lh.tho Last Inning.


to Wilmington WIS signalized Tuesday
afternoon byaa great game betwaen the
Wilmington and Paterson clubs OF tho
Atlantic League, and although the home
team had tho misfortune to lose tho
contest in the last inning the local
players clearly demonstrated that they
know how to play the game and can
furnish an excellent exhibition Of the
national game. The contest was one
of the most exciting ever seen In this
city, and the excitement, which started
with the opening OF the game did not
suhside until tho last man was out in
the ninth inning.
Manager Long had perfected ar
rangements for great occaLion, and
everybody was pleased to sec that hs
knew what he was talking about when
he gave the preliminary assurance that
good musement would be provided the
people OF Wilmington.
Shortly before 2. 30 o'clock two gaily-
decorated summer cars appeared IN
front of the city hall, where they were
boarded by the city, State and county
officials, representatives of the press,
the members OF the Wilmington and
Patterson clubs and the First Regiment
Band The car with the players and
band took the load, and all participated
in an enjoyable trolley excursion, after
which the guests aad players were
landed at the Union street grounds.
The excursionists were followed by 43
meI..be-a Of the Wilmington Bicycle
Club who entered the grounds on their
wheels, and after paradiDg around the
grounds several times they deposited
their wheels at tho west end of the field
nnd tnniF oau N ta tha Ii, ,faIA
Soon after the arrival of all OF the
guests the formal ceremony OF opening
ths game commenced, In tho meantime
the band had been discoursing excel
lent music from their position lin the
grand stand. The players of both clubs
formed in line in front OF the grand
stand, and after the preliminary ex-
citement had subsidized President of
Council Baylis made few remarks, in
the course of which he expressed ploas-
ure at having an opportunity to vel
como professional base ball back to Will
mington under such favorable circum-
stances. He introduced City Solicitor
Harmap, who mado a short address OF
announcement, and at the close Of his
remarks President Baylis tossed the
first ball across the hume plate, amid
tremendous applause from the 5000
spectators.
All of tho available seatings were
filled long before the opening of the
game and many who were unable to
bo accommodated in the grand stand
and on the bIeachers made themselves
comfortable along the right and left
field fences.
Immediately after the ball had been
PISSED across the plato and the express
siona Of enthusiasm had subsidized, the
captain OF the Paterson Club hurried
his men to their positions on the field
and Umpire Mace shouted ''Play BALL"
Then the tug of war commenced in real
earnest.
Amole was in the box for tho home
team, and he was genuine surprise,
for many thought he would rot have
sufficient control OF the ball to make "a
good showing against such strong
team as the aggregation from New
Jersey. But he proved that he was
equal to tho emergency. and that he
had proiitably occupied the time which
had been on his hands while tho team
was away from home. He showed
marked improvement. since his appear
ance in practice games, and from the
start the spectators had confidence.
He was cool and at critical moments
did most effective work. The players
too had confidence in him and gave
excellent support, Drew, Gallagher and
Mcintyre distinguished themselves in
this direction. Probably the hero of
the occasion was Drew, who accepted
every chance offered and acquitted
himself most creditably. Other mem
bers OF the team also made remarkable
plays. and although Newell failed to
connect with several difficult chances,
he retrieved himself by making several
brilliant plays, one Of which was cap
turing foul fly after good run.
The contest was a great battle up to
the seventh inning, neither side having
sent man across tho plate, but in tho
seventh Wilmington succeeded in earn
ing two runs amid .deaiening cheers.
Drew opened the inning by driving "a
fly TO left field, which was taken by
Heidrick in good shape. Newell hit
safe to centre, and was advanced to
third by Mcintyre, who hit for two
bases. Both mon scored ON Montgom-
sry's single, and the latter went to
third on Cogan's short throw in. Spratt
was thrown out at first by Taylor and
Montgomery was thrown out at the
plate by Wagner, and the inning closed
with two runs to the good for Will
mingtSn. In Paterson's half of the
inning Wagner struck out, Smith flied
out TO Spratt and Cogan flied out tu
Gallagher, who captured hot liner in
great style.
This ended the un-getting until the
ninth, when the visitors succeeded in
making three runs. Taylor, who led
off, flied out to Drew. Wagner went to
first on balls and was forced out at
second by Wagner, who hit 10 short.
stop. Cogau went to first on balls.
Fitch made hit and Smith scored,
and Cogan crossed the plate on Elton'E q
hit. The score was now tied and the
excitement Of the spectators knew nc
bounds. Torryson hit saio TO centre,
which brought Elton home with the
inning run.
The crowd was very much disap-
pointed, but they felt satisfied that
Wilmington had played fair and
honest game and that owing to the fact
that both teams were evenly matched
the contest had been hard one
throughout. Smith pitched q good
game for the visitors and was wei
supported. Wagner and Heidrick car,
ried off the fielding honors and received
applause several times. The score;
-- wILaINsros.
IT, II. 20. 4. +