The Washington times., 1907-04-10
Nationals In Line
For Opening Game
With Hghlanders
While There Will Be No Parade Preceding
the Ceremonies at the Park, All Fan
dom Will Extend the Glad Hand

Tomorrow afternoon at 4 O'Clock the
washington baseball fan wiz have what
he mas been thinking and talking about
during his waking hours and dreaming
about at night AT that time one OF
the two best known baseball fanatics
In the country VIII toss the nrst Dali
on the field at American League Park,
and shortly dfterward Manager Joseph
CantulOns reOrgantZed Nationals VIII
line up with Manager Clarke Griffith >
New York Highianders for the formal
opening of the American Baseball
League season in the District of Column
bia Whether Nick Young or Ban b.
johnson viii be the notable TO throw
The ball TO the umpire has not yet been
definitely decided. IF the latter Is able
10 reach this city in time, ne viii be
asked 20 Officiate; but If not Nick
Young VIII be invited TO perform the
ceremony
Will Not Be a Parade.
President Thomas c. Moves, Of the
Washington club. states that he and
the other officials have decided that
there viii be no parade this year. The
men VIII go direct from their homes or
from their hotels, as the case may be,
to the American League Park, where
they VIII meet in the dressing rooms,
which have been entirely renovated and
repaired. After DOMINIC their suits
they viii form and march 10 the dia-
mond together, with the Highianders
preceded by q band engaged for the
opening contest. After marching around
the field the first bali VIII be tossed
onto the field, and from then until Octo-
Der the country from Maine to Cali
fOrnia viii ring with the rap of the
willow on the little leather sphere
Al the same time that Washington
and New York arr striving for the
honor of taking the first game thou
Of IN ~
phia and Cleveland win be witnessing
their favOrites battling with Chicago,
Boston and Detroit, respectively for a
similar honor
Interest Is Intense.
Many Washington enthusiasts viii no
doubt deplore the fact that there viii
be no street parade this year, but the
fact VIII IN no way effect the en-
thusiasm and the crowds which viii
undoubtedly turn out at the American
League grounds tomorrow afternoon.
Even should the opening day be devoid
OF what lew extras that have been
crIduged by the Washington officials,
enough real interest remains this year
70 make up for any such alleged deficit
in program.
For the first time in the history of
the club the team is returning from
what has been real spring training
ahLfIlDleU
by "A local management Aside from
TINS. the makeup OF the team is rad
ically different than the lineup pre-
scented al any time last year. the all
important position of shOrtstOp VIII be
filled by Mig Perrine. a new man who
served last season with the minors, but
in when Manager CanullOn has the
utmost faith and confidence. and who
though slightly erratic at times, has
shown wonderful form AT others during
.a.u n.HH IsaHH mo au-a
tended throughout Texas, Kansas,
Missouri, Illinois, Indiana. and Ohio.
Altizer. as is known TO the readers OF
these columns, has been shifted from
short position 10 the Outfield. Though
he Is new at the job, and still has
strong aspirations TO remain an lnffelder.
he has been performing creditably-
Hickman Is Out of It.
Another man whose work viii probably
receive as much notice and attention
as Perrines and Alters viii be
Cheerful Charles" Hickman, who wilt
for some time al least. take the place
OF Former Manager Jake Stahl at first
base. Tomorrow the fans win not be
given the chance 10 see Hickman in his
new position because the injury TO his
knee mas not yet fully recovered and
the doctor who has been treating him
since his return TO the city has advised /
thai he remain out of the game for
several more days IN the absence of
Hickman, John Anderson wiz probably /
cover FIRST
Next in Importance. perhaps. IS
Blankenship, who viii in an probability /
10 the receiving for TIE Nationals. No
man on the team has received as much I
praise for his work in his position, at
bat, ana around the bases as has this +
same Blankenship. VINO WAS mentioned
In these columns several weeks agC BY i
that eminent baseball authority. Ted /
sullivan, as being one of the headiesC /
men he had seen on the bags
Graham, the new Pacific Coast south /
paW, who has been doing excellent !
work, and who is the only twirler re- i
crulted this season 10 stay with the !
team, VIII be on the firing line for the I
locals. Graham was the other PLAYER /
mentioned by Ted Sullivan. who speaks /
IN an enthusiastic manner of the pros
poets Of this young man. He is Charac- !
terized as being as deliberate as Falken-
perg III ms delivery. and steadier with 1
men on the bags than any of the older /
pitchers He has more than the crdi- 1
nary speed possessed by the average /
IeIt-hdnder. and so far has shown but 4
Ettle tendency TO the ''bad-inning'' /
sehiahy, of course, Will come in for a !