The Washington herald., 1909-04-12
Rattinr Order.
. YORKS.


haI team opens the 1909 season here to-
day against the New York Highlanders.
and every Indication points to a crowd
Of 1900 hungry fans 10 yell themselves
into a hoarseless heap. roofing for the
home team 20 win
The Nationals are going to win the
arst game" declared a Capital rooter.
one who has not missed a battle since the
days of Noah and the Ark league III
bet every cent I've got in the world on
EN- he added
The boys viii not be here until O'Clock
this morning. but IN order to get rid. Of
that tired riding feeling.
Manager Joe CantHIou has ordered every
body to report al the park at 70 O'Clock
for q brief practice session
The advance guard Of the Yankees, in
cluding Scout Arthur Irwin. Duke" Far
relI. Laporte and others. who have made
up the second squad. reached town late
yesterday afternoon srom Richmond.
eaeying orders from Chief stauings that
all the available substitutes must be on
hand in case unexpected illness crops out
at the last minute among some OF his
regulars.
who's Going 10 Pitchs
The first question a baseball fan usually
asks is. Who's going TO pitch?"
The question. as far as Washington is
concerned. is answered easily - Tom
Hughes or Bill Burns. with the odds IA
voring Burns. as Big Bill has shown
splendid form during the spring practice
games and looks Mt to go the limit. As
10 just whom Stanings will appoint. no.
body seems 10 know
There is only one other American
League game on the schedule for to-day.
The Philadelphia athletics will open their
new park with the Boston Americans.
and the outcome OF this game is very
much in doubt. as both teams are un-
known quantities. owing TO the presence
of so many youngsters in their respective
lne-ups
Not the blooming Of the Easter lily.
nor even the recrUdescence Of the straw
hat is deemed so sure a proof OF the
visible spring as this summoning OF the
der and statesman, Office boy and fnan-
cier, Will rub elbows with each other and
jeer the umpire alike-all will be on hand
at American League Park to-day. Thou
sands Of useful citizens mingling with
other thousands perhaps not so useful
but quite as ornamental will crowd
through the gates at the Florida avenue
grounds
Nationals OF for CapitaI.
The Nationals left Columbus yesterday
afternoon at o'clock, and their train is
scheduled TO arrive in Washington this
morning. The players will so directly to
the grounds.
The local management has decided
against the usual parade. but a brass
band viii make things lively at the park
until hostilities begin.
At l o'clock the gates will be thrown
open 20 the general public. The attend
ance, from all appearances. will be a
recOrd-breaker, and all are advised TO
come early and avoid the rush. No reser-
vatiOns will be made in the grand stand
Umpires Evans and Egan have been an
nOunced as the officials OF the game. the
former in command. Both are experi-
enced and are popular all around the
circuit. Evans will receive the ball. which
VIII be tossed out by a gentleman OF
prominence, thought to be no other than
President Taft.
There is no possibility OF Walter John
son being called upon 10 90 the honors for
the locals, as he will not be in shape 10
work for several days at least.
Johnson's ability as a slabuan has
frequently been questioned. but the know
ing proclaim him the greatest younester
that ever broke into fast company. He
started as a pitcher two years ago AZ
the age Of nineteen. and made good from
the start Managers OF teams all over
the circuit msrveled at his wonderful de-
livery and speed
Last year serious illness prevented the
youngster from joining the squad until
the season was well under way, and. al
though he pitched good ball when called
upon. he was never al his best This
year he has a comparatively good start
and those who have watched him work
predict that he will have a great year.
Here's hoping so-
on Wednesday the baseball race VIII
bs in full blast. and the vast army OF
patrons of the national game will be all
primed for another long and. perhaps.
Continued on Page 81 Column 3.