Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-10-17
IS PITCHING
Selected to Do TWirling for the
Athletics.
OVERALL HIS OPPONENT
Practice Before the Game Fast and
Full of Life.
IDEAL WEATHER CONDITIONS
Even Money Laid-Chance Hopeful
of Victory-Thinks Cubs
Better Team.
BY j. ED GRILLO.
Special Dispatch TO The Star.

Special Dispatch TO The Star
| SHIBE PARK. Philadelphia, Pa, Oc-
tober 11.-Not until the umpires requested
the respective batting orders of the two
teams did Connie Mack's pitchers know
which one of them had been selected to
pitch the opening game against the Cubs.
All OF them warmed UP prior to the game
and Mack. sitting in his characteristic po-
sltion on the bench, with legs crossed
and hat we'll back off his forehead watch
| ed their every movement. He seemed to
| be trying to decide which one of his
twirlers he should select. There was
| conference between him and Capt. Davis
| and finally the latter walked over and
put his arm carressingly on Bender's
! shoulder and smilingly whispered in his
ear that he had been chosen to lead the
Athletics TO victory. His selection SEEM
ed to please Bender. His teammates
Hooked around and seemed to be en-
couraging him for the struggle.
o.h Inc PAYERS of both teams eyed each
other carefully during the preliminary
practice Each team tried to impress the
other with its ability, and the practice
was fast and full of life, Some of Mack's
youngsters seemed a trifle nervous at the
outset, but they warmed to their work as
time went on There is a confident air
about about the the, Cubs: c BIS. 1t may be assumed Tor
to rattle Mack's men, who cheered on
by thousands OF their supporters. appar-
spirit than they did in the games AGAINST
the AllStars. :.
Tension Is Great.
Both teams realize that the first game
is the most important of the series, and
the players are on a tension that is
noticeable even from the stands.
t.
which one would expect in June prevail
ing An immense crowd is on hand
probably larger than the one which saw
the opening game at Pittsburg last year
The bleacher seats, which were to have
been erected in center field, are not up
Circus seats were to have been used for
this purpose, but they did not arrive and
the crowd is lined around the field about
ten deep. bare space being left in the
center so as not to obscure the batter's
vision That King Cole is not to be used
in the series, was announced by Frank
Chance. Cole pitched to the Cubs bat
| ters in practice. He seemed to have
plenty Of speed and was not being hit
hard
Chances selection for the opening game
was Orville Overall. the big Californian.
National League adherents are doubtful
as to how he will show up, he not having
been a consistent performer at any time
this season. Ground rules limiting hits
into the crowd to two-base hits were
adopted. The Cub substitutes filled the
infield positions during their batting prac-
tice.
Barney Dreyfuss of the Pittsburg club
told the writer before the game that he
had positive information that Walter
Johnson had signed contract with
Fletcher's outlaw league. Johnson, who
| is witnessing the games here, denies this.
! Chance and Davis Shake.
Newspaper photographers were barred
after the game was called. The camera
men were busy taking posed pictures
before the game. Chance and Davis were
caught shaking hands.
Frank Chance. leader OF the Cubs, said
just before the game that II his team
was beaten he would have no excuse to
Offer
We are in the best possible shape to
put up our best game" said he, "and
there is no reason why we should not
win. We have the better team, l think"
! There is considerable quiet betting on
| today's game even money being the
price laid. There is an abundance OF
Athletic money to bet on today's game,
but odds are wanted for the series.
Ovation for Home Team.
AS is usually the case, all the members
Of the Athletics were given an ovation
when they came to bat. Eddie Collins is
! the biggest favorite and he responded
with a single to left. giving the locals
| their first hit in the opening round. Tin
ker's splendid catch of Kings wild throw
caught him trying to steal.
| That bulldog tenacity of the Cubs is
always in evidence. They realized early
| in the game that Bender would be trou-
blesome, but they went to the plate with
determination. every batter gritting his
! teeth as he faced the Indian.
Bakers double into the crowd in left
! would have been good for three bases
/ but for ground rules keeping 1t to two.
! Sitting right behind the home plate it
/ is evident that Overall lacks a curve ball.
| relying solely on speed, something the
Athletics like unless II is OF the Walter
Johnson variety.