Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-04-12
: BY ]. ED aR1LLo.
How They Will Line Up.

The initial clash between the Nationals
and Red Sox this afternoon VIII find but
one new face in the. lineup of either
team, Williams, who is slated to play
first base for the visitors. McAleer pre-
sents q team Of players with whom local
patrons Of the game are familiar. though
there will be great change found in
John Henry, who was q green college boy
last season, and is now regarded as one
of the coming stars Of the league.
There will be but little ceremony pre-
ceding the first game. President Taft will
toss the ball from his box and then the
clash will be on. The game will start
promptly at $3.50.
At no time since Washington has been
represented in any base ball league has
there been a grounds here capable of ac-
commodating as large a crowd as the
present one. which, though by no means
completed. will be able to take care of
about 14.OOO people. None of the seats
is under shelter and a good view Of
every inch of the field is to be had from
any part Of any Of the stands.
Both teams are reported to be in good
condition and as they look evenly matched
on paper the indications are that hard
struggle will be witnessed.
Dolly Gray's final workout on George
town Field yesterday convinced Manager
McAleer that he was the logical man to
start off against the Boston Red Sox
today. Gray appears to be in perfect
fettle, and. as left-handed pitchers have
always been more or less troublesome to
the men from the Hub. he is believed
to have an advantage over any of the
available right-handers McAleer might
have selected.
nil hoy hnr
| look at Gray when he warns up just
| before the game. and should he fail ia
come up to expectations then shift may
| be made in the plans at the last mo-
/ is in perfect condition to go through a
game of ball and to have him pitch the
| opening game would give him much
needed confidence In himself. But Nc
we'll before the game. for he believes
! that If the Nationals southpaw Is at his
best today he will beat the Red Sox.
Though iris Speaker arrived, togethe,
I with Manager Donovan, from Boston this
morning, it lis not settled that he will
play in the game this afternoon. Iris
has been under the weather for some
time, and he Is not yet in the best OF
health. SO that he may decide to remain
idle a few days longer.
| Manager Donovan Is we'll pleased with
his teams prospects. and he expects to
cut more OF figure in the coming race
than he did In the last.
II believe my team Is stronger than II
was last year." said he. I'VE will prove
il. too, before the season Is very old. We
are in good shape and ready to give q
good account Of ourselves
President Ban Johnson of the American
League arrived this morning to attend
the game this afternoon. Mr.. johnson
was greatly pleased with the appearance
of the ball park. the construction o.
which he considers a great bit Of enter
iprise. He believes that McAleer's team
will occupy much higher position II
the race this year than it ever has be
fore. He seems TO think that the youni
tplayers McAleer added to his team las
fall have made a great change for thu
better.
ITS going to be another tight race.
said the head of the league. ut seem
to be considered q foregone conclusion
that the Athletics will repeat In tn
minds of many folks. but / doubt tina
livery much. There are more strong team
in the league this year than last and
Hook for hard fight for the flag RICH
down to the finish
i President Taft will throw. out the frs
,ball from his box this afternoon.
While the left field on the local grounds
as the diamond Is now located, seem
rather short, il is but Atty feet short o
the regulation distance OF oS5 feet that
fence or obstruction shall be from tn
ihonle plate to the outfield.
! The distance now is go feet from Il,