The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1910-04-15
TAFT TOSSED THB FIRST BALL
PRgSERENT OPESS TME GAME
IN o. aSHgNGT0N.

RS Ssssso lss mosaea ssP shs Esms
veam sna ssAJsyea ass vIessry 0ves
tse AGhseaIcs- nos GSans n~aae A1ere.
wAsHEEOroS. Apsil Is.--Chariie Street.
the ssumpy catcher 0f the Warrington
team az the American League. who once
stood aa the base of washington Monu-
mont and caught ball thar was dropped
from the top. clinchsd his hold on fame
this afternoon when standing on the FRS,
bass line as American League PARK
hs Esahsred In tbs firss ball that Prssi-
dent Of tho United States ever threw to
open . major league season.
II vas Tar the fan. though. who really
did the throwing. for when the Chief
Executive turned away from the white
House for the erst big game Of the season
here hs left cares Of state behind and
became just Hike the thousands % other
peanut loving rootsrs. He enjoyed every
minute of ahs afternoon from the time
the band played The star span@led
BANNER. and tho crowd rose to greet
him until Manager McAlser's boys vic
toFiously retired the Last member Of
the Phlladslphia Athletics In the ninth.
Ths President rooted too and explained
tho dssails Of tho game 60 Mrs. Taft with
all the enthusiasm Of trOls lover Of the
game.
The President made Il known az thu
white House early in the day that he
would 20 to the Opsnlng game and start
the ssason Tor the Nationals by tossing
Oslt tho 6rst bail. Ths Prssidsnt had
several days before received from Presi-
dent nan Johnson annual pass No. I
and had declared &C oncs that he would
ssss is. whsa vios-Prssitsas Sherman
cailed this morning and proudly exhibited
annual No. the President remarked;
well. Jim. I've goa you beaten this
time. Here 10 No. I. But they're both
sod juss the same
Tue President eot 10 the grounds long
ahead Of time. Mrs. Taft. her sistsrs.
Mrs. More and Mrs. Ecksssin Of Uncin-
nah. both guests St tho Executive
Mansion: Gen. Clarence r. Edwards.
chief Of the Bureau Of Insallar Anairs. and
Capt. A. W. Butt we're in the Presidential
party They did not take tho Presidential
boz up N top Of the grand stand. but en-
pressed q prsHersnss for a boz down
among the real enthusiasts. Again. ~
In Chicago last fall. " wa . oass 30 far
- The Presideae was conceEosd Of put
ms with the other fAns.'
The box that the Presidential party
oceupied was Opposite tho hous p,ate and
wNa decorated With q biR American nag.
he hand STRUCK M The Star spangied
banner ~ the Presidential parry came
through the gate and Thousands Of rooters
who had learned from experiences last
season What that tune meant jumped 20
their feet and cheered. With n squad
Of policemen around them the party made
in way slowly TO the seats ~ honor.
The President had not been In the box
long before Manager McAlesr and Others
Interested In the Washington Club tossed
a nice fresh hall up 20 the hog. Every
body cheersd aud tho President fOndlsd
10 for twenty minutes while the Nationals
aud the Athletics warmed up
Prcaidsnt Tom Moves u the Washington
club. who has the distinction ~ being able
10 slf on his shoulder blades aud ca loy
tins ggms At the same tune. came atrOlling
over to the Presidential boz. Mr.. Taft
smiled aud invited him in. Mr.. Noye-
waved One arm and Connie Mack. the
difIldS0t manager ~ the Athletics. came
over and was introduced.
I'm glad 10 meet you. Mr. Mack
sail the President. but and the Taft
smile widsneSl a bi'. = cant say . hope
yOu'Il win
when Umpire Bill Evans decided tina,
waahinwfOn had warmed up sufficisatIy
and when johnson. who twirled for the
Nationals. aud Plank. who was ON the
mound for the Athletics. were ready the
Pres.c snt prepared 60 open the game. He
dofEsd the light OvercOat he hal bsen wear
ing, removed the silk hat aud stood mp
in the bOx. Then the fans did whoop IL
up. Mr. Taft took oss look toward FIRST
base and bringing q pOndero,ss right arm
back Yet the hall &c.
There was another Outburst % cheering.
but Johnson the long Legged pitcher. had
made q dar' for the ball and caught IL.
Charlie Street. however. had grabbed for
u AZ the same time and when the scramble |
was ovor Charlie had the ball Thereupon
Street promptly stuck 10 into has pocket |
and buitousd tho dap down. The ball !
didn't figure in the game ~ all. Street |
Intends 60 put q in o frame aloagaids tho I
hall thas dropped down from the top OG /
tho nsoaunent more than year ago.
Il was q good game ell the way through !
waSAin Rton had the bstter Of 10. hut the |
always were in the running.
johnson 10 q good pitcher remarked !
Mr.. TAR critically after hs had seen |
half q doxs@ or moee Of Connie Mack's |
bass sfickers bite the dust in efforts % I
connect with Mr.. JohnsOn's assortmsnt \
Of curves -He's pitching Rrsas baIl.
isn't he. Butt said the President again.
and Butt said he vas
when Md Elbeptold. who holds down
third base for the Nationals. made q short 1
saxh into the inhsld. sooopsd up . nice
drive and beat the runner to FIRST the
pFsninsnt half rose IN hin aeai.
-Thas was . flns play he said. and
Ianahsd glesftIlly.
vios-Prssidsnt shsrman did nos sit /
v, h ths Presidential party. Ne with
twa frisnds occupied places over on the |
wsSs side Of ths grand ssaad. A foul
IRON thu bat OF one Of ths players came .