The Lake County times. [volume] (Hammond, Ind.) 1906-1933, 1910-05-09
LANDS
THE FIRST
Of SEASON

The first season of the Indiana
Michigan league opened auspiciously
yesterday afternoon, 1t being the big
gest day for the national pastime that
northern Indiana and Southern Micht-
gan has ever seen. Big crowds at
tended all of the games. giving assur-
ance Of good support throughout the
season. The real source of Joy .ohw-
ever, from a Gary standpoint was that
Gary got away with the first game by
the score of to 0.
1t was worth the price of admission,
car fare to Niles and all incidental ex-
penses to see the Gary men work.
Manager Sam Sax under the able guild
ance of Jimmy Daugherty has gath
cred together what is beyond a doubt
the fastest aggregation of ball players
Lake county has ever produced The
men We're strong in every department
of the game. and their work was so
classy in fact that Niles fans accused
Gary Of importing the Cubs to the
peach belt for the opening game.
Not only did the Gary men open
the season at Niles, but they .dedi-
Gated the new ball park which Man
ager Fred Marshall has had erected
for the league in that city. In spite
of the threatening weather 1000 fans
rooted for the local nine in vain to
start the season with a 1000 per cent
instead of the three 0's without the one
before it. which fell to their fate.
With Gary the big drawing card
at Niles. Berien Springs opened up at
Elkhart before the banner crowd of
the opening day. At Senator Proctor's
(also president of the league) home
town over 1000 fans crowded the park
to back up the team which is expected
to be, excepting Gary, the STRONGEST
team in the league. They were as
sisted in their noise making by a big
brass band. At Ligonier there was
also big time enjoyed by fandom and
the event was equally as big a success
AS to the details of the game, 1t was
evident from the start that the men
were plainly nervous this being large
ly responsible for the nine errors
which were accredited to their side
They We're. however, by far better
bunch of players than the box score
would indicate, and with seasoning
should put up good game with any
team in the league Too much praise
cannot be bestowed on the Gary men
in throwing. fast on bases, resourcefuI
proved good hitters, and Benights
pitching was clever.
The season started off with Grammar
the first man to bat. He was retired
at first as were also Geofhegan and
Eberling in quick succession. In the
Niles half of the first inning Sanders.
the first man to face Benight got on
first, but he was also the last one that
inning, as Gary men had little trouble
in disposing of the next three.
The big feature of the game was the
home run of Eberling. who knocked
the ball in the sixth inning clear over
the center field fence for a home run.
feat which will probably never be
duplicated on those grounds during the
remainder of the season. The hit
brought the Niles fans to their feet
with tumultous and well-earned. APP
plause. Another feature was the wond-
field when he ran back to the fence in
the sixth inning and made running
one handed catch of fly that looked
good for three bases.
Gary's battery was noticeably strong
Only three safe hits were made off Of
Benight and none of them for extra
bases. The Gary man showed good
speed and splendid control. Not only
did he pitch we'll but he fielded in
splendid form, never failing to get his
man at first when they attempted to
bunt- McLane caught a splendid game
His work was clean cut, his throwing
to second was perfect. so that Niles
soon learned that there was no chance
to steal on him, and in addition to that
he secured two clean hits.
Lewellyn played a fast and clean
game at first. besides. the feat of caith-
ing foul after sprinting considerable
distance Jackson made the second
hardest hit of the day by slamming out
a long two-base hit to right field scor-
ing McGane. He also made pretty
one-handed stop Of a high throw to
third, which STAYED off an impending
run.