The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1904-04-21

Kansas City at Indianapolis.
Milwaukee at Louisville
St. Paul at Columbus.
Minneapolis at Toledo.
Results and Attendance
Indianapolis. s; Kansas City. 3..-........35oo
Louisville. ,; Milwaukee, 1................35o0
St. Paul, 4; Columbus, l..-................4S9
Minneapolis 5: Toledo. 4..................2ll2
Thirty-fve hundred baseball fans. the
kind that would wade through snow and
water if necessary to see a game. wit
messed the first contest of the 1904 Amer
lean Association season at Washington
Park yesterday afternoon, and were sent
home rejoicing as the Indianapolis team
took Kansas City down the line by a score
of to 3. 1t was colder than one of those
frosty November days when lovers of out
door sports think of football instead ot
the great national pastime. Fixe-sixths OF
the crowd huddled together on the bleach
ers as IL was warmer in the sun than in
the cold, barren grand stand Heavy
coats were in style and ear muffs would
not have been uncomfortable but none was
worn, as the fans wanted to catch every
bit Of criticism that was made on the work
of the players
The scene on the left field bleachers did
not remind one very much of baseball be-
cause of the winter wraps in evidence,
but bubbling enthusiasm broke forth on
several occasions when the PHILIPPINES
made the circuit of bases and added tall
lies to the Indianapolis total. In the grand
stand many women. those who re
fond of the great game. Prior TO the OPEN
ing of the festivities they shivered from
the cold, although they were attired in
fur wraps and heavy garments. Many OF
the old-time fans forgot about the chiIiiness
of the atmosphere as the game progressed
and sensational plays were registered by
the players in nearly every inning Con-
sidering the weather ii was very large
and enthusiastic crowd. for who would sit
out in the cold for nearly three hours but
a real baseball. fan?
The opening Of the season was made "A
gala occasion by President Ruschaupt and
his subordnates. The programme in
cluded street parade of the two teams
prior to the game and band concert at
the park. After the preliminary practice
the members of the two teams marched TO
the plate where they formed a half circle
and while they showed that they were out
for the opening victory. they gave no evil
dence of their hostile feeling when Mayor
Hotzman walked to the plate and made
short speech. The mayor said:
MAYOR HOLTzMANS REMARKS.
81 wish to welcome the members of both
the Indianapolis and Kansas City teams
to the city The indianapolis and Kansas
City clubs are to be congratulated on the
| individual players they have selected to
represent them in the coming champions
ship race. / hope you will distinguish
yourselves in the field and at the bat and
/ that Won will have a great fufura in efora
! I'VE always regret the losing of good
| PLAYERS, but we are not so selfish as not to
| wish them good luck in their efforts to
| better their conditions. / hope that the
members of the Kansas City team will
! put up a good game, but / sincerely wish
| to see the Indianapolis boys do a little bet
| ter / want indianapolis TO win the pen
nant and hope that Kansas City will be-
| a close second.
Manager Phillips then announced that
| Indianapolis would go TO bat first and tho
Blues took the field. Captain Ryan and
! Captain Magoon INDUCED in brief confer
/ ence regarding the rules and Umpire Pears
said he would be a little lenient with the
pitchers on the new balk rule for the OPEN
| ing game. In the meantime Mayor Holtz-
man, who had removed his overcoat in
| order TO have free arm motion for pitch
| ing the first ball of the championship sea-
son, in the locality of the pitchers
| slab. His chubby legs were seen 10 quiver
with chils. and a small boy i'm the bleach
ers yelled to the captain 10 hurry up and
/
! the ague. The opening festivities had
somewhat delayed the start of the battle
and 1T WAS $40 when the umpire shrieked
/ play ball.' Mayor Hoffman made three
or four balks tunder the new rules) and
then pitched the ball that went over the
catchers head. The mayor did not curve
! the ball for fear OF injuring his right wing
After Mayor Hoffman had retired from
! the box Pitcher Durham mounted the slab
and the opening game of the 1904 cham
pionship season was in progress. IL was a
! great game-great because the PHILIPPINES
| got off IN the lead with a victory and
great because the battle was replete with
brilliant and sensational plays. IL
great for other reasons. Tom Williams,
who. up to few days ago. had been con-
! Sidered a back number and eligible 10 have
! his name recorded IN the city directory of
Hasbeenvlle. showed that his resurrection
viii ala the Hoosiers in no small manner
TO do the deceiving business and Tom
| showed rome OF his oid-time cunning. rhe
| Blues registered ten hits on him. but Will
lisms was fortunate in keeping them pretty
| well distributed and being especially efec-
/ tive when the visitors looked to be dam
gerous.
HoOSIERS BATTED WELL.
Another great thing about the opening
game was the batting OF the indianapolis
team. Durham. Kansas Citys star slab
man, was pt,ed against the aspirants for
the pennant. but he could not fool the
young PHILIPPINES Hogfiever was the only
man who failed TO register in the base-hir
column. but his work in the field was 80
sensational that the fans overlooked his
weakness with the willow. The batting OF
the locals made the fans voice the opinion
that at last this city will be represented by
an aggregation OF good timber toppers.
AS to the fielding of the Hoosiers much
can be said. and while four errors were
recorded against them. the chances were
more or less difficult and the misplays
could be charged against the cold weather
/ Swandcr ana McSreery We're charged with
| muffs and Hess with two misplays. The
| work OF the others was extremely brilliant
| and fast.
Kansas City put up game that demon
strated that the city on the banks of tho