New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1914-06-14
Two Thousand Youngsters
to Root Against Pirates
Tomorrow.
WILL ALSO ASSIST
IN FLAG CEREMONY
Glimpse of Big Leaguers Pre-
cedeS Opening of Great Tourna-
ment Tuesday Afternoon.

Hans Wagner and his Pirate crew Of
ball tossers would be quaking in their
spiked boots II they knew what was in
store for them at the Polo Grounds to-
morrow. They realize. of course, that
according to the schedule arranged by
the National League officials they are
due to meet the Giants. who dashed
their pennant hopes so cruelty few
weeks ago. but they are ignorant Of the
fact that they are also due to meet two
thousand other ball players, all in uni
form, too.
This means that lined up against the
Pittsburgh nine will be 202S persons. This
unusual situation comes about througL a
conspiracy formed by John B. Foster,
secretary Of the Giants, and Cabot Ward,
Park Commissioner.
Mr.. Foster, ii appears, has been watch
ing the progress made by The Tribune
Baseball League during the last three
weeks and thinks it high time that he
contributed his mite to the good cause.
He, therefore, got in touch with Com
missioner Ward and William ]. Lee, Rec
reation Supervisor, and offered to turn
the keys Of the Polo Grounds over to the
boys who had entered the race for The
Tribune cup and medals.
Needless TO say the offer was accepted.
and as q result the several playground
instructors have ben directed to pick
out six teams from each section into
which the city has been divided and to
send them to the Polo Grounds early to-
morrow afternoon Only one request was
made by Mr.. Foster. and that was that
the boys appear in their uniforms.
II so happens that tomorrow marks
the annual raising of "Old Glory" at the
Polo Grounds, and il is Mr.. Fosters idea
TO have the boys assist in the ceremonies,
and at the same time get a few points
from Hans Matty, McGraw and other
heroes of the national pastime that may
be used TO advantage when The Tribune
League season opens on diamonds in
twenty-eight parks and Fairgrounds.
The lads will march across the field at
s o'clock sharp and salute the Giants,
who will be drawn up in battle array in
front of the stand. The youngsters will
then lend hand in pulling the Stars and
Stripes UP where the breezes from the
Harlem may caress its folds. The GUS
tomary three cheers will next be shouted
by two thousand Juvenile throats
BY this time it is expected that Hans
and his band will be about ready to
throw up the sponge, for the boys will
dlc into the seats allotted to them and
get ready for the real business of the
afternoon, which, naturally, will be tC
roo: hard and continuously for the Giants
There will be action every minute, anC
the din and uproar cannot fail to do dead
ly execution with the batting eyes anC
NieIding abilities OF the Pirates.
II is well known that even the grea
Wagner has crumbled in the past before
an ordinary seventh-innng turmoil. Hi
crumbling has consisted of striking out II
"a pinch or fumbling a grounder or max
ing a wild throw. Hans is going 10 BIZ
the special target of the two thousand
bows. and now that he has garnered tha
elusive S.OOOth hit and has not much tC
worry about ne may expect the lads e
work hard to get him ratified.
The invitation to the Polo Grounds hat
caused Mr. Lee to make a change in thu
opening date OF the Tribune League sea
son Instead of the teams in the tourna
ment getting under way tomorrow, they
will play their first games on Tuesday.
These contests form part Of the elm
ination series. consisting of seven games
a week in each of the four classes-&
mounds 100 mounds ll5 pounds and 1S