Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1905-05-04
Opening Battles of the Season
Played In Southern Cities
This Afternoon
THE cRAys ARE AT kEokuk
freddy" Greene Will Probably opon
tho series-Mayor Cameron of kco-
kuk lssued Proclamation Making
This Afternoon Half HoIiday--Pres-
ident Norton's Prediction.

Today all eyes are turned to the
southwark, toward the four ball helds
of Burlington, Keokuk, Oskaloosa ana
Ottumwa, wherein the eight clubs OF
the Iowa State League are pitted In the
opening battles of the season. With
fair and bright weather reported from
all there will be no postponements on
account Of rain, altho some or the
grounds will doubtless be heavy. owing
to the rains OF last night. This az
ternoon the Grays are in Keokuk where
they went Wednesday to do battle for
the first time this year In the race for
the league pennant.
AT Keokuk. as in the other cities OF
the south half Of the circuit, this Is to
be a gala day, and parades. band mus
&c, speeches and other ceremonies VIII
make up the demonstration by which
the league will be launched into Its
second season. Mayor James Gamer
on, of keokuk, issued proclamation
Wednesday. declaring this afternoon to
be half holiday, and asked that as
many of the business houses and fac
tories as could to close for the after
noon.
Just how Warner will line up his
team for the opening game can hardly
be foretold, but IL Greene is In condi-
ton he will doubtless be designated to
pitch. Williams lis still unable to play
in the infeld. owing to a fractured RIB.
and he Will be held in the outfield,
while Kreuger will take his old place
at third. Warner will doubtless play
at second. as it Is likely by this time
he has Closed arrangements with Keo-
kuk tosake Alberts. as a deal of that
kind HIS been pending for the past
week other than those two positions
the team will play as 1t has for the
past two weeks.
Norton Predicts Prosperity.
President f. c. Norton. who was in
terviewed In Waterloo. said he knows
OF no reason except the exceeding OF
the salary limit. which should prevent
the league from enjoying a most pros
porous season. He Is optimistic and
enthusiastic In his belief that the
league will make good IL the salary
limit IS regarded. He says:
Everything looks lovely for the OPP
ening of the season of the Iowa league
on Thursday. In fact, I can't see how
the prospects could be better. 1t does
not look as tho there would be weak
team in the league, and that all Of the
teams would be playing close together
during the whole season. Every team
Is strong, and the management Of each
is good. There are some that have
gone over the salary limit so far, but
| hope that when they commence to
play league ball that they will cut
down their teams to small enough
number OF men to keep close to the
limit. Iowa should have good ball this
year, and the only thing that will stop
1t will be the securing OF players by
the more prosperous organizations of
the league that will cost too much for
the other teams. That was somewhat
The trouble last year. The attendance
this year promises to be good, the
is good, and with equal teams
the season should be marvellous one.
Il am going to visit every city in the
eague two or three times during the
summer and thus become acquainted
With the men with whom do business
ma the management or the teams IN
he various cities Of the league. Last
year l did not feel that the finances Of
he league would stand for this, but
his year things have been fixed SO that
t will be possible. and while will en-
10y 1t no doubt. still at the same time
t is my duty to visit each city. 1 will
accompany the Burlington
cam on their trip over the circuit,
which they start in three weeks from
low.
The Iowa league viii be heard from
his year and will develop some fast
Good, clean ball should be
he object. and I believe is the object,
If every city in the league. With the
shown this year and the
'plendid teams, believe that the
eague season viii start off Thursday
With swing that will not stop until
he last game is played"