Arizona republican., 1912-08-22
Breaks Ground for Struc- ture at Second and Polk Streets Which Will Be come Mecca of Fans in Salt River Valley
FIRST FAN IN
 ALL THE LAND
Is Title Bestowed by Ball Tossers on Chief Execu- tive, Who Is Invited to Occupy Seat at Initial Game Sunday
The first fan in Arizona.

That is the title earned by Cover nor Hunt yesterday, when he dedica- ted the new All Americans ball park at Second and Polk streets. Just as President Taft is awarded the place of leading baseball follower in the na- ton. so can Governor Hunts name be connected with exalted patronage of the sport in the new state.
 The proceedings were delayed until 3.3O but when they did start there was music in the air The band, autos full of patrons and marching players filed into the lot stepping to a lively tune. The governor alighted from the motor ear of J. w Stacy, who brought his eXcellency from the capitol Awaiting him at the home plate. the members of the team and promoters of the park stood in rows before the camera.
 MT Hunt set to the labor of break ing ground with an eXpertness, so he says, acquired in mining days. When the first clods had been turned, the band was still and the chief eXecu- tive of Arizona spoke briefly and earn ostly to the players and the crowd assembled. He said:
 
 d few words first about the pleasure il gives me to be with you on this, the occasion of the opening of your new baseball park Now is a time of great beginnings in all lines in the new state, and your enterprise is, I trust very successfully launched Indeed, do not doubt there will be great and good fruit borne to your industry.
 
 ttonal sport. It is one of the pro- ducers of this active, robust race. In inaugurating this park you are doing great things for athletics in the south west Not only for yourselves, but for the boys who will come after you. and who will fill your places in the next years
 In ancient times, the Greeks were a race of athletes. the most active na- tion in the world then known. From the age of six until his maturity the Greek youth was trained in all out door sports. made strong sthat his wig orous body might support a vigorous mind. They made strong men and good citizens, and the greatest nation of those ages.
 ITO you boys, who are trying so hard today. I will say that you are doing something for the southwest, and in all ways possible I will assist you and cooperate with you.
 Your enterprise is a worthy one, for you will help train men for citizen ship in this last and newest of the great states in the worlds leading na- tion."
 With this conclusion the band struck up a march and the crowd chcered heartily Even a small fido made the air move with the vigor of his applause. Congratulations and handshakes were exchanged all around. Everybody was pleased at the sue cessful start of the new scheme
 After the crowd dispersed, survey ors began the actual work of laying out the corner posts. Lumber is to be delivered at the lot today and by Sunday it is hoped the place will be nearly enough done to accommodate it's first ball game.
 Tempe probably will be the victim Chandler has been aching for tussle, but will likely wait until later date for it's satisfaction. Manager Nellis attention has been turned to ball parks lately and he has had little time tC devote to schedule arranging. Both the southside towns are anxious tC make connections with Phoenix new team. Tucson has secured the attrac- tive dates of September 1 and 2, Sun day and Labor Day.
 An example of cooperation, in { round about way, but effective, is tha' of "Eezy' Belville of the Empress mu. sical comedy company. The hastily assembled band lacked a man to bea the big boss drum, and "Eezy" vOlun teered. It must be handed MT Bel vile, he played the important instru ment like d veteran at the game Never was the noise of it's boon slackened, even when the eXcitemen grew warm and some of the less stur dy ones felt inclined to hunt the shad of the nearest tree.