Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1909-10-11
FANS WATCH THE
SKY WITH ANXIETY
Fears That Rain May Prevent
Meeting of Tigers and
Pirates.
WEATHER FORECASTER
HOLDS OUT SMALL HOPE
Thousands of Enthusiasts Willing
to Take Chances.
FL0CK1NG TO BENNET PARK
Hundreds Outside the Gates All
Night-odds on Pittsburg Have
Dropped to to 4.
Today's Batting Order.

Detroit. Mich. October f1.-A leaden
sky with an occasional glimpse of sun
and damp field greeted the crowd rs
it made it's way to Bennett Park for
the first of the worlds championship
games between Pittsburg and Detroit
In this city today. At no time was it
certain 1T would not rain, but the
thousands went to the park determined
to brave anything to see the great bat
tie. 1t would take a remarkably heavy
rainfall for the national commission to
postpone the game. as the officials and
two teams are eager to finish the cru
cia1 series as soon as possible.
1t rained with the most distressing
regularity practically all Of yesterday
afternoon and for some time after dark.
Then the rain stopped. but 1t became
colder. The local weather forecaster
predicted the rain would continue all
last night and today.
At 1 o'clock the sky was gray and
filed with heavy clouds. but the off1cials
Of the national commission declared that
the game would be played in anything
short of a cIoudburst. ''If the afternoon
passes without a rainstorm it will be
nothing short of wonderful" declared
Weather Observer Conger an hour be-
fore the game.
Pride was an unknown quantity in De-
troit today. No one who formed the early
hour rush for Bennett Park was toe
proud to carry a lunch box well dlled
with real edibles, for limitations Of which
the vender charged and received fabulous
prices.
Waited All Night.
Despite the rain, midnight found Cox
fans encamped before the gates of the
Rmphitheater, where. on the morrow. the
great base ball classic was to be re.
newed.
The rain stopped later this morning, but
dark heavy gray clouds hovered low
over the City Of Straits and threatened at
any moment to burst and drench the
town again. The atmosphere was chilly
and on the whole The day was anythins
but a pleasant one for aught but
fishing. 1t certainly was not made to
order for base ball. But still the fan.
hoped. II was known that the local cluf
used big tarpaulin to cover the infleld
such as Is in vogue at Forbes Field
Pittsburg, and it was believed that If tht
rain should hold of the game would gc
on. In the event of this being an i'm
possibility the contests in Detroit will
be played Tuesday and Wednesday, ant
the next game in Pittsburg will be Thurs
day.
AS the rainfall ceased at about the tim,
when the sun should have been giving it,
light to the city, the human, flood toward
the ball park began. The cars bound to-
ward the scene Of the doings were jam
med until 1t was physical impossibilit,
for even the most agile and athletically
inclined youngster to clutch to the out
side. let alone the inside, of one of the
conveyances. This being the case anc
nothing daunted. thousands Of the would
be spectators at the opening of hostilitie!
in this usually quiet little place did tn,
next best thing and began the long wall
to the ball lot.
There was no need for any one to ask
the way. The trail was marked by the
imprints of many feet, and, besides. 4,
was still black with swiftly moving
eddying mass Of people. The pace was
set at merry clip. to the incessan,
changing of the cowbells or the whistlins
Of some Of the latest tunes. The moi
corners swinging into line and immediate.
ly being imbued with the holiday spirit
Betting Now S to 4.
The odds on Pittsburg are not to !
any longer; they have gone back to the
original odds OF to 4. And there are
more wagers being made. The loca
sporting places where such bets are gen
orally recorded report that thousands Of
dollars have been laid away In the safes
at these figures.
Both the Pirates and the Tigers ar
rived here yesterday on the national com
missions special train. together with the
scribes and men prominent in the worle
of base ball. And as the athletes ans
the general camp followers tumbled of
the special they were greeted by a biz
gathering of fans OF this city. who reall,
did not expect to see the Pittsburgers OF
the same train. It was expected tha
Manager Fred Clarke would not brin,
his team over until this morning Blu
the surprise did not interfere with tn,
impromptu reception which was accorded
the teams.
And Pittsburg came in for It's share
The fans Of this city are ad-minde,
lot. and as sportsmen 1t would be har,
to find better ones. Despite the keel
rivalry which exists between the fans o
the two cities. the local base ballist
give the Pirates rousing reception
They cheered both clubs until they ha,
disappeared in buses. The only gibin,
that was done was between the Pittsbur,
fans and the local organization of tn
great fraternal body But this did no
take place until last night Three thou
sand fans from Pittsburg arrived here OF
two special trains.
All Reserved Seats Sold.
All the reserved seats for the game,
one is played. today and tomorrow. hav
been sold. and there remains nothin
Gaatinusd on Second PaSeS