The Washington times., 1909-04-12
Ideal Weather Draws a Great
Crowd Out to See the
Nationals Open.
GRANDSTAND MAKES
BRILLIANT SCENE
Society and Official Washington
Well Represented in Throng
That Greets Team.
By T. R. HILDEBRAND.

The first coterie OF small youngsters
lined UP IN front of the bleecher booth
at American League park this morning
before 10 O'Clock. BY I o'clock, when
the gates were thrown open, the area
way IN front of the entrance held an
almost solid mass OF feverish fans, and
by o'clock practically every seat in
the park was filled and the crowds were
being turned into the space roped off
on the field.
No members OF the Association OF
Oldest Fans seen this morning could re-
call such ideal weather for the opening
day Of the season IN Washington. Last
year the sky was clear but a biting
wind chilled the enthusiasm to a
marked degree. On that cay the at
tendance reached 1900 and It will cas-
lily pass that mark this afternoon.
No Seats Reserved.
The management this season encour-
aged early comers by refusing TO re-
serve any seats save the boxes The
grandstand was sold out nearly an
hour before the game to early Corners.
Before the grandstand was filled, the
shady bfeacher ticket seller had closed
his window, and the sunny bleachers.
the last resort of late comers was
filled before the band gave the signal
for the grand parade.
Joe CantillOn and q few OF his hench-
men struggled out TO the park this
morning to look over The Improvements
Orders given yesterday for every man
10 report for thorough workout at $50
were Cancelled because of the crippled
condition of the squad Those who were
on hand tried on the new home uni
forms under the direction Of jerry Edin-
ger, who DID double duty as haber-
dasher and trainer
Team Comes Out.
At 2 O'Clock the entire team assembled
at the club house, and scampered out
on the field to rousing cheers from the
crowd that already filled the stands.
The scene bore the aspect of a big
college game rather than a professional
league contest. To amuse themselves
during the long wait, the early coIners
struck UP the classic strains OF Down
Goes McGinnity'' and other appropriate
classics and joined In handing out good
natured gan TO the players who were
trying to assume a nonchalant air I'm
their new, and IN some cases very Gu
a1ously, fitted uniforms.
Navy Yard Fans.
A prime factor in augmenting the
crowd today were the facilities afforded
Navy Yard employees by the new cross
town line. A delegation Of fans from
the Navy Yard and the southeast sec
ton of the city, nearly 500 strong. oc-
cupied a section OF the shady bleachers.
Seldom has the diamond been in better
condition than today. 1t was sprinkled
this morning just enough TO lay the
dust AS a result Of careful treatment
for the past three years, the turf in
the outfieid Is hard and smooth and
there is no chance of the ball doing ca
rom stunts to AFFORD excuses for the
home team and furnish examples OF
alleged bone-head exhibitions by VI
sitors.
Band Program.
The Pistori band reached the grounds
at 1:3O o'clock and went through pre-
liminary program that kept the crowds
amused when our brave boys hied to
the clubhouse for final instructions from
Manager Cantillon. The eminent man
e1er was feeling IN better form than
most OF his players this afternoon.
Il realize lust what this season means
10 Washington" he said, just before
the first ball was tossed. This is our
first real chance to forge into the first
division and the boys know 81 II they
u is because they can't and not because
of the old discouraged feeling of
What's the user
Not only in size but in its personnel
the frst-day crowd this afternoon set
a new pace In Washington baseball
annals. In the boxes were members OF
Washington's society circles. OF the
Diplomatic Corps and representative
from both houses OF Congress. The
most distinguished guest was Vice
President Sherman, scheduled TO toss
out the first ball 10 Umpire Billy
IVans.
Ire failure 10 sell reservations for
the grand5tands did not keep away dis
tiBEIishcd members Of Washington
officialdOm who failed 10 get IN on the
(Contfnued on Tenth Page)