The Washington herald., 1910-05-03
LEAGUES UNDER WAY
Washington Amateurs Start
Off with Rush.
LARGE CROWDS WATCH GAMES
Departmental Draws AssembIaEe of
Nearly 1000 Fans TO White Lot
DfRmOnd-Big Time Mt McDevitts
Fleld-PrOminent Men Take Part
in the Opening Ceremonies.

Hurrahl They're on Who has not
heard this cry at various athletic con-
tests time after time. or at a horse race.
when the prancing steeds lined up and
suddenly whirled away around the white,
dusty track TO finish in the order Of their
respective worth.
But yesterday it was not a track meet
or race OF fine horses that drew hun
dreds OF business men away from their
desks at an early hour, spoiled good. hot
dinners by letting them grow cold for the
want OF an eater and made many faith
ful wives peevish and fretful because
their husbands remained away. No. in
deed. The average man would rather eat
when he's hungry than watch horses
prance by. no matter how dandy and
trim looking they may be. The magnet
that caused all Of this commotion yester-
cay afternoon was tho grand 1910 open
ing Of the District amateur baseball
leagues, when five organizations opened
their doors and fourteen teams OF husky
American youths battled for hours for
baseball supremacy.
Inc weather warm and calm. could not
have been better for such dav. and
Old Sol' proved that after all. he was
true sport, and beamed down upon the
city lots with a smile that east huge
shadows
Crowds Gather Early.
At every ball ground where the young
sters are wont TO play a good-natured
crowd Of all ages and stages Of life gath
cred early to pay homage 10 Americas
national game. Looking about. YOU see
old friends. or maybe. enemies. willing to
let bygones be bygones for the dav. all
roofing for the same club. The natural
question that pops to your mind is
Where do they all come from?" And
you commence 90 argue with yourself that
they must either grow OF spring up from
some hidden recess In the ground. they
have come together so suddenly.
On the White Lot. where years ago a
large number OF people would OCCASION
ally gather TO see rival teams clash. the
Departmental League yesterday drew
what was estimated 20 he at least 600
fans, the majority Of whom were govern
ment clerks pulling for their favorite
club. When Mr.. Narpl threw out the
white bail a roar went up that caused
people as far down as Ninth street 10
pause and wonder If they were dreaming.
Two other prominent officials Of the gov
eminent departments at the Departmental
opening yesterday were T. O. Weed, chief
clerk OF the Post-office Department. and
\. II. Baldwin chief clerk Of the Depart
ment Of Commerce and Labor.
At the Sunday school League grounds
at Thirteenth and d streets northeast
President Herman A. Meyers pitched the
initial ball 20 the plate. and the Rev
George a. Miller, pastor Of the Ninth
street Christian Church .Sdrove II 10 left
field for clean single. After this the
Ninth Street Church team inspired by
the worthy effort Of their pastor. trounced
the Hamline club by a score that had Us
still counting when the battle terminated
Father Hannah Starts League.
The Rev. Eugene A. Hannah of 81
Martins Church. who Organized the
Marquette League some years ago. set
the wheels OF the Catholic organization
in motion Father Hanan has still a good
eye for the plate. and sent the bah sailing
over the corner for the first strike.
At McDevitts Field there we're big
doins, II we are to believe our ears. for
there certainly was noise. and amid all
the racket We are Informed that the Az
gies were presented with the pennant for
which they fought so hard last summer
President Harry F. Worley made his little
talk 20 the players and then the 1.2oO crazy
fans just "hollered." and the Independ-
ence League season was on.
EX-Commissioner Henry L. West was
present at the opening game OF the Com
mercial League and started the proceed
ings, Berry & Whitmore doing something
terrible 20 the Andrews team. We left
IN the first inning. when the Berries"
made nine runs, and when we came hack
found that the final score was Q 70 =
showing that the paper men are made Of
''sterner stuff"
All Of PetwOrth was on hand whom
President Fred Page tried his new '.NIer-
~ Widow curve. as advertised. az the
Petworth grounds yesterday. and after
Mr.. Page had shot one OF his curves n
the catcher. Brightwood and Woodburn
engaged I'm n nip-and-tuck battle. which
finally went to the Brightwood lads by
. to score.
The Capital City League plaved IFS
usual scheduled game at Capital Citv
Park.
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