Evening star., 1901-04-17
OPENING DAY POSTPONED.
New American Park VIII Not Be Used
Until the Regular Season Begins.

After consultation this morning with
| Architect Sunderland and Superintendent
| Darby, Manager Manning announced that
| the first game played at the new American
| Park would not take place until the open
| ing of the professional season here with
| Philadelphia a week from next Monday,
| April % 1t was found impossible to have
| the park in first-class shape by Saturday
! for the ton-Georgetown game and
! that contest and the one on Monday be-
tween these two teams will take place OH
| the Georgetown University grounds. Man
| ager Manning is determined that the open
| ing game at the new American Park shall
be without drawbacks ia any way, and for
| this reason has called off all exhibition
games for the new grounds. Saturday s
game cOuid probably be played at the new
park under somewhat adverse conditions,
but a first-class showing is desired and
will be given on the first day of the season
in this city.
The heavy top and cross beams cen
nected with the grandstand are being put
in place today, and once they are out of the
way the roof will be quickly completed.
Then the carpenters will be shifted to the
left-field blechers' stand and by next
Thursday at the outside, the new park
should present finished appearance. The
new club house for the players is rapidly
nearing completion, and when all the de-
tails are finished the Senators will have a
dressing and lounging place worthy of the
name One-half of the building is taken
up with dressing rooms, while the other
half will be taken up with an elaborate
series of shower baths and sprays. Around
the outside q roomy and shady porch has
been constructed. and when not otherwise
| engaged the players will find 1t cool and
/ comfortable resting place.
! GrOundkeeper Miller has placed the sod
/ ding inside the diamond in trst-class con-
dition. and says he will soon have the entire
! field ready for the players to practice on.
The chairs for the grand stand should reach
Washington not later than Friday, and the
company furnishing the same will soon
! have them in place under the directing
! hands of men sent from the factory.
/ AS told in the special from Hampton,
| Va. the Washington players will leave that
! place for home Friday night, arriving here
Saturday morning. Saturday afternoon
| they will cross bats with the Georgetown
| team on the university grounds. Monday
| morning it is expected the Senators will
| have their first practice of the season on
| the new grounds and in the afternoon will
| once more confront the clever men wearing
! the blue and gray. As yet no other games
| have been arranged for next week, but as
| the men will leave for Philadelphia early
| Wednesday morning, perhaps Tuesday
| night. there will be little time lost before
| the opening of the season next Wednesday,
| If liberal excursion rates can be secured it
| is expected that fully hundred Washing
| tOniaus will accompany the Senators over
| to Philadelphia for the opening game With
| any sort of good weather Manager Mack
| of the Athletics predicts record -brea king
| crowd, and it would be a source of gratifi-
| cation to Manager Manning if there were
| ing" for the new senatorial outfit to win.