The Detroit times. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1903-1920, 1909-04-14
CROWD JAMS PARK
Z FOR 0PENInG
STRUGGLE
Weather Man Does His Prettiest and
Loyal Fans Are Out in Force 10
See Tigers Battle With
White Sox.
Mullin, Logical Pitching Selecuv-,
Talks Interestingly About the
Task That Il Before Him.
BY PAUL n. sRuskE.

BENNETT PARK. April 1.-THE
weather man did his prettiest today
by the baseball public of Detroit. pro
viding them with as fine an opportu-
nifty as could possibly have been ex-
pected at this season OF the year for
the opening game Of the American
league season. The rain of yesterday
was still In evidence on the slow field
which, In several spots, verged on be-
ing muddy, but the sky was bright
and. wherever the roofs Of the stands
did not cut on the sunshine, the fans
were fairly comfortable.
The gates of the park were opened
at 1890. at which time there was al
ready a line a block or more long.
converging on the main entrance. Elk
cellent order prevailed and the crowd
filed In steadily, rushing for points OF
vantage. the sunny portions OF the
pavilion being the most popular points.
The park has been considerably i'm
proved for the opening. an addition
OF $500 chairs to the reserved-seat
section being the most prominent nov
city. A row OF emergency seats In the
outfield increased the capacity of the
field to 1900. according to the state
ment OF President Navin, who was
early on the ground.
Cheers for Hughie.
Shortly after noon the Detroit play
ers began making their appearance.
Jennings In particular was loudly
cheered on his way 20 the club house.
He responded with smiles and shook
hands with a few insistent fans. As
soon as they dressed, the Detroit play
ers joined in passing the ball near the
club house In left field. AS the hour
for the game approached the Tigers
took the diamond and INDUCED In bat
ting practice, the colt pitchers whom
the crowd recognized by description
and photographs, working out In or
der in the box. The crowd was par
ticularly interested In Speer. whom the
management purchased from Wichita
| last fall. He is a left-hander and 1t Is
conceded, must take the place OF Ed.
Killian, Detroit's veteran southpaw,
who shows no signs of returning TO
his old form of 1907.
The only feature OF importance in
the preliminaries which preceded the
game outside the grounds was a taxi.
cab parade in which an informally or
ganized band of sportsmen accompan-
led Charlie Bennett and Sam Thomp-
son. Detroit's old-time baseball heroes,
from their homes to the park. The
old-timers occupied the leading car
and were enthusiastically cheered on
their way to the grounds. The line Of
march OF this detachment was from
Grand Circus park along Woodward,
Lafayette and Michigan-aves. and the
parade was in charge of the Detroit
| Taxicab Co.
Whltesox Gay In New Uniforms.
The Whitesox made their entrance
to the park shortly after o'clock.
Manager Sullivan leading. White.
Purtell and the others OF the second
team. who came over last night, were
among the visitors who made q gay
showing In their new uniforms.
After the regulation loosening up
practice Sullivan went behind the
practice plate and started to warm mp
Smith and White. On the opposite
side of the field, Schmidt was looking
over the offerings Of Mullin and Sum-
mers. II was admitted by Manager
Jennings as he started to give his In
field its practice that, II Schmidt's
report had 1t that Mullins control was
good, big George would be the twirler
selected to open for the Tigers.
For six weeks formally and q far
longer period in private, players. bugs
and bugettes have been preparing for
the events OF today.
The American league champions
have sweltered under southern skies
| Confined on Page six.)