The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1904-04-15
SENATORS LOST
OPENING GAME
ROOtGrS Turned Out in
GOOdiy Numbers.
ROASTED THE POOR UMPIRE
Fans Showed Encouraging Signs of In
terest-Team Did About as Well
as Was Expected.

Baseball season is on again and the
merry tune Of coliding bat and ball
will be heard from now TO October.
The opening in Washington yesterday
was rather suspicious, despite the fact
that the Senators lost TO the Athletics
By 10 8
A crowd estimated at between 1900
and COCO persons was in attendance,
despite tnc chilIiness OF the day and the
Iateness OF the hour Of starting the
game. Beginning play at 4:45 is neces-
sary under the conditions, but it takes
consider able enthusiasm TO go out TO
ball park at an hour so near that which
the other boarders begin TO make ti'"ir
dive Tor the dinner table.
Bleache1ites Numerous.
The % and 50 cent rooters were out
in great numbers. and showed enough
interest in the team to roast Umpire
Connolly numerically for some Of his
decisions. although Connolly was right
each time. 1t was not ladylike on the
part of the roOters TO hurl rude re-
marks at Mr.. Connolly, but it showed
that they take an interest in the team
and really desire TO see it win. On the
whole, the handing out Of harsh words
TO Mr. Connolly, while not 10 be en-
cOuraged as a steady practice. was one
of the most encOuCa ging signs of the
times noted at the game yesterday. A
man does not make fOg-hOrn comments
on an umpire's lack OF ability 20 know
strike when he sees Ii unless he is
especially anxious 10 see the hired men
representing his city in the league come
out on top OF the pie.
Game Not Fair Test.
1t would not be fair to gauge the
Washington team on its showing yester-
day. II was defeated, but nothing else
could have been expected, and it will be
several days before the rooters will
have any right To look for more than
occasional victory While they were
charged with only one error. their field
ing showed only too plainly that the
Senators have been sadly lacking in
tho matter of regular practice.
The team work Of the local men was
about as abundant as Bryan.s chances
Of ever becoming President. Each man
played according to his own private code
Of rules for handling what came his
way. and the motto seemed TO be When
in doubt. don't" This cheerful, but
uOu-prOductiye style Of conducting the
great national game was a great help
10 the Athletics, and VIII be 10 every
other team that faces the Senators this
season
Two Fast Doubles.
The happy-go-lucky system did not
prevent the boys from occasionally do
ing a bit of business. as was shown by
the TWO fast double plays in which
Moran, Mccormick. and Stahl figured.
Twice did they nip their victims at first
and second. thereby arousing enthusi-
asm among the faithful. who were much
tickled az the way the young athletes
threw the hooks into the enemy and
demonstrated that they stin know a
thing or two about baseball.
MOran's work at short was good. He
Is Pal IN is oct nd s4g
the season grows older should put much
life IN the team The same was true Of
McCormick. who appears 10 have lost
none OF his speed since last season, and
after he settles down 10 regular playing
with Moran and his new teammate.
StaL. there should be something doing
all the time around second
Wilson Not in Form.
Wilson was hit freely by the Athletics.
He never was noted Tor speed or curves,
and yesterday ne had less than usual
Toward the end OF the game he began 10
weaken. and the wonder is that more
hits were not made. Pitching on a Gay
SO cold that ear muffs would have been
q comfort is not conducive 10 making a
pitcher show his best form. 50 II would
rot be- well 90 try to size up Wilson by
his performance Yesterday
SJahl is making good i'm punches
around first and as 10 is not afraid 10
So after the BAH or 10 stand up 10 the
plate. he promises 10 become one Of the
pillars ~ tle team. IhoEeE. Il he hits
well. as. be did Yesterday. viii prove d
valuable acquisition lie IS fast in the
field and ou the bases and uses his head.
Hoffman Was Busy Bill.
Holman was as busy I'm center as a
man with coIcky twins To take care Of
lie made four outs and an assist The
assist was when he threw HartzeI out
al third in The second inning. and was