The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-04-13
Plank and Smith, In Superb Form, Keep Boston and New York at Their Mercy-Other
 Games.
AMERICAN LEAGUE STANDING.

Philadelphia, April 12.-The American league season was opened in this city today with the largest crowd that ever witnessed a baseball game in this city So,162 paying for admission. The occasion marked the opening of Shibe park, the new half million dollar home of the rhil- adelphia American league club. So great was the rush for the park that the gates were closed at o'clock, one hour before play started, and thousands of persons were turned away.
 After the parade across the field, which was led by President Johnson, of the American league; President B. F. Shibe, of the Philadelphia club; President John l Taylor, of the Boston club, and w. O.. Huntley of Chicago, and the flag raising, Mayor Reyburn tossed out the ball and Umpire Hurst announced that the game was on.
 Philadelphia out-played Boston both in pitching and at the ball. Plank was in grand condition and held Boston to six hits. Bostons pitchers were hit hard and nearly all the hits off them were punched Score: R.H. E. PnlaQelpnla ............. lUI Vlu 1o--o To 7 Boston .......v........... GOO 001 000-1
 Batteries: Plank and Powers; Arellanes, Ryan and Carrigan. Empires, Hurst and Connolly. Time, 2O5.
 Summary: Hits, off Arellanes. Il in Is innings; off Ryan, ? in 2-S innings. Two base hits, Nichols, Murphy, 2; Lord, Thoney. Sacrifice hit, Speaker. Stolen tt 5- lanes, l. Bases on balls, Plank, 3; Ryan, 8. Wild pitch, Plank, l.
 Washington Defeats Highlanders.
 Washington, April 12.-The American league season was opened today in a game between the Washington and New York clubs before what was said to be the lagest crowd that has ever turned out in this city, there being about 15,ooO paid admissions. The stands were packed to their limit, while the overiowing crowds completely encircled the outfield a dozen deep. It was the original intention of calling the game at 3:15, but the contest started at 3:20 o'clock. Many prominent people of official and diplomatic circles were present.
 The game was won easily by Washing ton, the final score being 4 to l. The locals batted hard at critical points and were helped along by costly errors of the New Workers. Pitcher Charlie Smith was a great puzzle to the visitors who are credited with only four hits, the triple of Knight being of the lucky order as Biian fell and lost the drive in the sun. Smith struck out ten of the op- posing batters. Back of Smith the Wash ingtohians fielded almost perfectly a dropped fly by Delehanty being the only misplay.
 Newton began twirling for the New Yorks but was wild and ineffective and after working four innings gave way to Crockett who held the locals to two hits and no runs during his portion of the game. The fielding feature of the game was a remarkable one-handed catch by Lefthelder Engle of long fly from Streets bat in the third inning. There were three men on bases and only one out at the time. Engle ran to the edge of the crowd in left field, and as the ball was sailing over his head jumped and grabbed the ball in his ungloved hand. As Engle disappeared in a mix ture of arms and legs he held to the ball, Delehanty scoring from third on the out Conroy, who was on second le-- the bag before the ball was caught and was declared out when the ball was re- turned to second. Score: R.H. E Washington ............ 301 000 00*-4 8 l New York ............ GOO 100 00O--1 1 5
 Batteries: Smith and Street; Newton, Crockett and Kleinow. Empires, Evans and Egan. Time, 2:o5.
 OTHER GAMES YESTERDAY.
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