The San Francisco call., 1898-03-28
The Pacific State Leagues Opening Gam e Attended
 by 5000 People.
Santa Cruz Downed the Local Contingent in Fast and
 Interesting Game.
Great Enth usiasnn at Central Park.
President Eugene F. Bert's countenanoe

President Eugene F. Bert's countenance wore il look or c0ntentment as he sazed on the large outpouring of 'cranks" al line eu.. D t4 e.o .ts,y Pa i;.- 5ta,.- League in Central Park yesterday. A more favorable day for an opening game could not have been chosen, and nearly 5000 people sat in the warm sunshine watching a game full of ginger and con- stantly cheering both teams. The style of playing that was put up yesterday will be the means of raising the game to the position it occupied in the old days.
 Promptly at o'clock Santa Cruz took the field for practice arrayed in their natty and serViceable uniforms They were all there. Captain "Bill'' DeverauX. he Of the auburn hair and lusty voice fame; little Louie" BalsZ, ready To pitch as he did when he was winning fame on AIike Flnn's nine. Buck Arreian1. ana the same men who gave Santa Cruz it's good name last year.
 Alter indulging in circus catches and grand stand plays to their hearts con- tent, they gave way to the local aggrega- ton, composed of men who have become famous in the bas aba!l world, and who will add further luster to their names as soon as they get down to form. In josh Reilly, Mertes and Gimmel San Francisco has an infield which ranks with any nine In the league.
 The arrangements for beginning the journed to their club house where they formed in line and. headed by a brass oand and a leader carrying the beautiful pennant presented by Governor Budd for mpeution, they marched up the field, receiving the cheers of the multitude.
 San Francisco was first al bat, and as MerteS stepped to the plate he was given a cordial reception, which was also be- slowed upon the members or both teams. Mertes caught the live ball on the nose and sent it over second for q neat single, and stole second. The next three up landed heavily on the sphere, but one of Santa Cruz a ert fielders would be under it, to the chagrn of the batter.
 Although making lnnumerable errors, Mir. Johnson's shoots, virtually ~ batted Tteti their way to victory. Aided by a base or two on balls and two heavy smashes the Beachcombers' anded their first run.
 In the third Santa Cruz landed on John son for i've safe SWatS, which netted them five runs A base on balls gave them an- other, and things began to take on & bimsh tInt for the local nine In their half the San Francisco aggregation saved it. self from the ignominy of shut out, by scoring.
 ->o latter how hard they strived Santa Cruz could not land another run until the seventh inning, owing to the splendid fielding of the home team, Mertes and Reilley being a veritable stonewall in their positions.
 Frisco had the satisfaction of seeing the score narrowed down in the remain ing in innings. and had they not been afflicted with an aggravated case of hoodoo they might have tied the score Time and again they would land a man on, first, but the next batter up would poke an easy one to some portion of the lot and the unlucky base-runner would only sigh and think of what might have happened.
 Johnson gave evidence of being a first class twirler, but showed a lack of form. At times he was wild, but little Charley Drews would quiet him down by soothing coaching. The latter caught a fine game and proved himself a valuable acquisition to the home team.
 The work of Mcintyre in center field caled forth constant applause. It is very seldom that a fielder gets an opportunity to show his caliber. but in yesterday s game he accepted six different flies with out miss.
 Graceful Maguire's temper was his undoing. He played the initial position to the Friscos infeld, but it's all off with him now. During the game Charley Daubenbis in running to first collided heavily with Mcguire, and the latter. Santa Cruz player. Daubenbis replied. but before hostilities could commence Me Grath bunted the ball and Daubenbis went to second. After the game Grace was prevented. President Bert was grieved that the tall first baseman should lose his temper, but to make an example he expelled him from the league.
 For Santa Cruz, Deveraux and Arel- lanes were the particular stars; both made running catches that seemed in1- possible until the ball nestled in their hands. Balsz has lost none of his clever ness or speed, and the victory was par tially due to his heady twirling.
 Should the Pacific States League con- tnue to put up as excellent ball as it did yesterday, lovers of good baseball can be assured of a fine season. Central Park has been renovated and the field Is in perfect order, With live ball and live players the popular pastime will surely rise in public favor.
 Following Is the score: