The morning times., 1896-04-16
LEAGUES OPENING DlY
Senators and Giants Will Play
This Afternoon.
WIN MERCER WILL PITCH
Charley Farrell VIII Assist Young
e Zearfoss in the New Yorks' Catch
ing Department-Promi News
paper Writer'S Accompanied the
Giants to tue Capital.

The Weather Bureau has prognosticated
pretty weather for today, and should it
realize as promised, this afternoon at
4:30 O'clock, or as near that time rs
possible, Mr.. Timothy Hurst viii exercise
his vested authority as Master OF the
Field" by commanding the Senators and
Giants to ''play ball.
Then will the long season of 90 have
been commenced, and the erst while anxious
rams can settle back 10 the enjoyment or
a campaign that gives all signs of being
The most stubbornIy- contested OF any in
the annals of baseball.
+ The outpourinS today promises TO break
all records for attendance al National Park,
but the capacity is ample. and even late
comefS VIII not find trouble in securing
seats. To evidence the interest in the
inaugural game, Mr.. Wagner is in re-
ceipt u nearly live hundred letters, request
ling that seats aud boxes be reserved for
the writer's in the grand stand, and ex-
pressing their Willingness to pay an adj
vance on usual prices.
Mr. Wagner, however, did not esteem
it fair to regular patrons to make dis
tlnction, ana Informed the applicants Tor
reserved accommodations that the rule OF
first come, first served, would strictly
apply
MERCER IN THE BOX.
AS 10 the result Oh tCtdN sdLijC no one
can forctell. With Dad Clark and Win
Mercer In the pitchers box for their
respective teams, il should be close
contest, aud the victory is as liable to
go 10 one as to the other.
Dad is an early pitcher, that is, he
is quick 10 get into condition, and as he
has had six weeks practice in Florida
and at the Polo grounds II can be counted
| on that lie is as hard nails and as fit
,.if ifTiR In hn u-IH
Dad will be strong factor against the
| Senators this afternoon, nd IL would
not be wise to bet your whole pile that
| Captain Joyce's men Will get the best
| Of the argument.
| Dads face is not pretty nor handsome,
| nor is ii even good looking. To be plain,
| i'll dealing with a plain subject Dad Is
| downright ugly. Neither is he con-
| noisseur IN speaking The Queen Own
| He talks the unvarnishcd United states
| such a sis used as means of ofcOmmunlcatlOn
| by citizens of Harlem and reSidenters along
the Bowery.
But Dads vocabulary is quite sufficient
| for his purposes and he can use the whole
OF II 10 splendid advantage when engaged
| in a coilOquy with an umpire. II is highly
entertaining and edfying 10 hear him and
| Tim Hurst discuss the fine points OF baseDaN
during close game and especially after
| Tim has termed a bali what i'll Dads eye
| was a beauty strike.
This being their first meeting, pro-
| fesSioually, this season. tits highly probable
| that they VIII have several conversations
| at National Park this afternoon.
| Capt. joyce is coufident of winning
| the game when did Dad Clark grow So
] terrible in the box" asked ''ScrIppy'
! yesterday afternoon. why we have
| knocked him out a number of times with
| worse club than We have now and have nc
| fear OF the argument on our own grounds
! and with Mercer on the slab
| Mr.. Wagner had a double force OF men
| at work q I the park Yesterday cOInrl=telng
| the sears also Il number OF carts removing
tie rubbish from the grounds. Owing
| 10 an unavoidable delay III receiving the
| chairs ordered for The fifty cent section
/ back of first base, temporary benches hadto
| hc put in. Lack OF time also preven nted the
| covering gnfthe seats, but ttheSeimprovements
will follow as fast as the material arrives
and the wOrkmen can place i III position.
| Apart OF the fiftyCent section back Of first
is fitted with chairs, and the whole area will
| lie likewise furnished as soon as possible.
This is a very desirable section and Will he
held in high favor today.
PARADE OF PLAYERS.
Todays program Will consist of pa radc
IN carriages OF the memhe RS of both clubs
the officials of the organizations and the
| visiting nc wspaper rmen. TherIrtde Willie
headed by u band and will move over
the principal streets, ending at National
| Park at 230.
A band concert will be given until 4;3o
O'Clock, when the game Will te called Mr..
| Wagner has secured :. sple clid Cornet band
for the occasion ;fnd the music viii be no
| slight feature OF the opening.
THE GIANTS ARRIVE.
The New York Club arrived in the city
last night at $50 O'Clock and registered at
the Riggs.
In the party were Manager Irwin, Supt.
| Bell, Trainer Davis, and the following
players: Gleason, u. Davis. Tiernan, Con
naughton. Van Haltren. II. Davis, Stafford,
Dad Clarke. Meekin, German, nohenny,
| Pfeffer, Wilson, ZearfosS, and Farrell.
President Andrew Freedman accom-
panied his satellites and took quarters at
| Mine Host John Chamberlin's caravansary.
The New York press sent the following
representatives: o. P. Caylor, Herald
| william Norr World; E. Il. Hurst, Even
ing World; W. F. koesch. Sporting Life;
| George Mccormick, Journal; sam Grain,
| Advertiser.
A special train This forenoon Will bring
Il large party of Wall street brokers to the
game. The bulls and bears will come for
the single and express purpose of cheering
the Giants TO victory ana to discomfit the
local fans as much as possible.
LINEUP OF THE CLUBS.
The Senators and Giants will line up in
the following positions and will bat in
the order given:
Senators: Giants:
Brown OF Gleason . 2b
Joyce ..........3b q. Davis 3b
Abbey :. ..........rf Tiernan .........-rf
| Salbach If Conuau oh on - Sc