The Washington herald., 1913-04-11
SHOWS
HE IS real FAN
Head Of Nation Sees Opening
Game and Stays Through
out the Nine Innings.
THE BALL


! In the last campaign, former Gov.
Robert Broadnax Glenn, Of North Caro-
/ lima. bespeaking on many stumps and
/ hustling for the election of Woodrow
Wilson to the Presidency of the United
States. used In lieu of peroration for
some Of his speeches 4 description Of
baseball game ct Davidson College,
N. c., which was played In the spring
OF 1871
The point which the former Governor
considered made the story worth telling
was that both he and one Thomas
Woodrow Wilson played for Davidson
In this game. The Governor, It Is under
stood, attributed to Thomas Wilson,"
an arm like iron and the speed OF the
wind,
Bob Glenn would have been proud
Of Tom" Wilson had he seen him az
President Of the United States throw
the first ball In the game between Wash
ington and New York. which opened the
American League season here yesterday.
The President stood up in his box,
directly behind the Washington players
bench. and with real pitchers -FOUR
ish threw the ball directly into the
hands OF Walter johnson, the home
teams star pitcher, who was waiting
for II on the sideline thirty feet away.
The ball was well thrown and speedy,
and II went straight into Johnson's
glove. The pitcher caught II without
moving In his tracks. and In moment
the game was on. Thousands of fans
cheered their approval as they saw the
skill with which the President had toss
ed the ball, and realized that another
President was going to be good fan.
Watches Plays Carefully.
As the game progressed they became
more and more convinced that President
Wilson was a good fan and that he knew
something about the game he was watch
ing. The President watched the play
intently. More than once an approving
smile upon his face anticipated the burst
Of cheering with which the bleachers
expressed its satisfaction at some excep-
tionally hne bit of work, and at least
once he frowned at an umpires decl-
sion.
The President reached the ball park
promptly at 3 o'clock, the hour for which
his arrival had been announced. His
automobile was driven through an en-
trance that had been especially con-
structed for the use of the cars OF the
President and Vice President since the
close of the last season. He went to his
box without being observed by a large
number of persons, for he came into the
grandstand while people were busy find-
ing their seats. He wore his gray suit,
which 10 becoming familiar to frequent
ers of the White House. and a soft brown
hat. With him were Miss Eleanor Will
con. Secretary Tumulty, Naval Surgeon
Grayson. the Presidents physician. and
James Sloan, chief of the White House
staff OF Secret Service men.
The ball which the President tossed to
Pitcher Johnson, and with which the
pitcher in turn began the game, was
fouled over the grandstand the first time
1t was thrown to the plate. Later when
it had been recovered. Clark Griffith, the
Washington manager. brought it TO Mr..
Wilson's box to be autographed. The
President quickly removed his fountain
pen from his pocket and wrote his name
and the date upon the cover of the ball.
The ball was given to Pitcher Johnson by
the unanimous consent Of the team.
Stick. Ont Entire Game.
The President stayed out the game and
did not leave until the last man had
been declared out by the umpire, and
the crowd was surging toward the en-
frances He clappe6 his hands enthus-
astically when Washington scored two
runs in the seventh inning and redeemed
q game that had stood to for New
York until that time. Just ss the game
ended Mr. Wilson autographed a second
ball for the twelve-year-old mascot OF
the Washington team.
The interest taken by the President
in today's game established to the sat
isfaction Of every one that this is going
to be a baseball administration. Yester-
day marked the Presidents debut at the
ball park, but Vice President Marshall had
already proclaimed where he stood with
regard to the national pastime. He said
about Inauguration time that he hoped
the Senate would adjourn in time to
allow him to see the baseball games this
summer. Yesterday. in acknowledgment
Of a season pass. Mr.s Marshall wrote
the following letter to Benjamin s. |
Minor. the president of the Washington
club:
II am deeply interested In baseball. |
because 1t is fascinating game. be- |
cause IL il the American sport, and be- |
cause it sets an example to the bust |
ness and professional men Of America |
which is as valuable as the preachments |
of the politicians-namely, that no sue |
cess is lasting or permanently valuable |
which does not result from playing the
game on the square.
The dirt accumulated upon the base |
ball diamond is clean. A Democrat can |
not say that for all other diamonds in
America