The Washington herald., 1913-04-10
SOUND THE TOCSIN!
RING THE ALARUM FOR
BASEBALL is AT HAND
Major League Season Opens Today Nationals and
Yankees the Opponents Here Johnson to Pitch
and President Wilson Will Throw First Ball.
BY WILLIAM PEET.

Major league baseball for the season
of 1913 will receive flying start this
afternoon at 3 o'clock, when Griffith's
Climbers and Chances Hopefuls clash
in the opening game of the American
League season at National Park.
Walter Johnson, premier hurler OF
Ban Johnsons circuit, is slated fol
mound duty for the nifty Nationals
while Ray Caldwell will serve them
over for the lads from the big town
Today's game will mark the first ap-
pearance of Frank Chance in the
American League, and will bring two
old rivals together, as Manager Crit
fifth, of the Nationals, fought Chance
many a game in the old organization.
When seen last night, Manager
Chance appeared confident of victory
today. and, although a little set back,
owing to the injuries received in the
exhibition game Monday, is sure that
his club will make good showing.
The Yankees arrived in town at !
o'clock last night, and Manager Chance
hustled them all off to bed one hour
later. Asked if he would play first base
in the opening game, Chance replied: II
hope to start. anyway. My leg is not in
the best of shape, but perhaps 1t viii
stand the gaff.'
In case Chance decides that he cannot
lege star, will be on the job.
While the weather man predicts rain.
Manager Griffith stated last night that
the infield had been covered with tar
paulins. and that the game would not
be called off until the last moment.
Plenty of seats will be on sale at the
hall park. and record-breaking crowd
is sure TO attend.
With Walter Johnson will be Eddie
i'm, ha inf this
is being counted upon to prove the
stumbling block for the New Workers.
Beg Ed Sweeney will more than likely
be seen wearing the big pad for the
Yankees. although last night he was
suffering from badly bruised foot, and
Manager Chance may send young Will
Jams in to do -backstopping.
When President Wilson throws out the
first ball, the Nationals will start after
the Yankees, and a great ball game is
promised the fans. That the park will
be flied to overlooking. is A certainty.
but at that, there will be plenty Of room
for the faithful
Local Clubs i'm Line.
Several local organizations will be on
hand in the boxes while the Cheering
Squad on the third base line will be out
in full force Preparations have been
made at the park TO handle the crowd,
and little difficulty is expected.
Johnny Priest, product Of the local
sand-lots will work with the Yankees,
but as vet has not landed a regular
job. Priest has shown up well in the
spring practice. and is slated for a berth
in the infield with a little more expert
ence.
In every city that has one of the
opening games of the 1913 baseball
season today there is some unusual
feature 10 be paraded before the fans
that makes the fray interesting, aside.
from the fact of its being the first of
the year. The breaking in of four new
mana gers in the National League and
one in the American will be watched
closely i'm the reports by fans all over
the country, particularly in those cities
that are SO unfortunate as to have to
wait until week from today to get
their first glimpse OF the big leaguers
in action in regular game.
The getaway card finds the National
League bill arranged with Boston at
New York, st. Louis at Chicago, and
Brooklyn at Philadelphia. 1t is really
the second game of the season for the
last two teams. for the Phillies de-
feated the Dodgers in the inaugural
at Ebbets Field, Brooklyn, yesterday.
The American League programme of
ushers-in comprises New York at
Washington, Philadelphia at Boston.
Chicago at Cleveland, and Detroit at
St. Louis. The only baseballs circuit
cities without big league ball are
Pittsburg. Brooklyn, and Detroit.
The battle of the day that will ap-
peal strongly to fans in general is the
clash OF the Red Sox and Athletics at
Boston. Judging from what the cham
pions showed last year and what the
Mackmen did during the two previous