The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1910-04-15

DIR. Thomas was very stout yesterday
afternoon, and from the beginning to the
end of the fight for Birmingham there
was no hope.
MONTGOMERY won the initial game of the
season. The score was to 0. The Barons
got but two hits. Wordsworth stung one
safely in the first and in the ninth Gygli
beat out a slow one to Pope.
Manuel pitched for Birmingham. He
was hit throughout the game and In two
innings when men were in striking dis
lance of the plate. His support was Of an
Indifferent nature. The Climbers warmed
up to Dr. Thomas on the other hand, and
as a result sensational fielding prevented
half a dozen drives falling in safe ter
ritory.
Perhaps the most brilliant performance
of the afternoon was that of Whiteman,
the hard hitting Texan, who, running with
his back to the audience. took drive or
Elliots off the back field fence. He then
turned a couple of somersauts, causing
the ladies to scream, and came up with
the sphere in his teeth. 1t reminded of
times when you watched lads dive, and
witnessed them return splitting to the
surface with rock in their fingers.
| Pope took a smash or two with one
| hand, and was cheered to the echo for his
work He bowed gracefully. Marcan,
though he fumbled on more than one &C.
casion, clutched a fast grounder with a
single paw in the third, robbing Gribbens
of q sure swat and preventing score
Elliot was Johnny at the knothole' IN
putting pilfering Climbers to sleep. On
several occasions the more daring of the
visitors attempted the dangerous jour-
ney from first to second, and on each
trial a dead bird was counted. Elliot Is
a favorite with the fans. He looked well
yesterday.
The crowd was large and enthusiastic.
1t is probable that more than 1900 wit
messed the game. Every stand was filled
to the brim, and there was an overflow
from the northeastern extremity of the
field A feature of the attendance was
the large number of colored fans wit
Messing the fray.
Society was out in full array. The
first chanticleer bonnet of the season
made it's appearance. 1t created con-
sternation and was critically inspected.
Several ladies were apparently envious.
About the fifth inning, when it was evil
dent that the day was lost. ladies in the
grandstand-no joke here-amused them
selves by throwing peanuts at their gen
tlemen friends" This sport caused mo-
mentary uneasiness to many who desired
to watch the play, but no one grumbled
on the first day.
The crowd, as a matter of fact, was in
a good humor. A little knocking was
heard but it was so mild that it added
zest to the occasion.
Whiteman was walked in the first inning
and was safe at second when Marcan
mscued in handling light one from
Gribbens. A beautiful bingle to right by
Osteen opened the gates Of home for him.
Thus was scored the first run of the
season in Birmingham
In the third Thomas surprised everyone
including himself, by hammering a double
to left. He scored when Manuel, becom-
ing confused over q bunt by Daley, baked
to third, and threw wildly to first. Shortly
thereafter Philips tapped one gently to
| the furthermost corner of the lot.
| Daley scored and Phillips, having
breathed moment at third, came home
when Marcan stood on his head attempts
| ing to field a gentle ripper from the stick
| of Osteen. Had Osteen not attempted to
steal which attempt met with the usual
rebuke, 1t Is doubtful whether the Climb
ers would have ever been retired or not
Fitzsimmons umpired the game and did
1t well. His voice has improved as a re-
course in articulation, which it is claimed
he took during the period of Information
There were no close decisions.
The teams will meet again today
The game will begin at $3.50 o'clock. It is
probable that a more pleasant story will
| be forthcoming thereafter.