The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1914-04-17
Mayor Cofran Assisted BY
Throwing First Ball.
BOTH MANAGERS ARE READY
Iowa Governor Assisted in
Ceremonies at Des MOines.
Two Day Festival at st. Joe
Umpires Assigned.

The 1914 season OF the western
League was ushered in on the local
grounds this afternoon with the To-
peka and Wichita teams pitted against
each other Mayor r. l. Cofran pitched
the first ball, and in the absence OF
Governor George H. Hodges. Catcher
Snort McAilister acted as the mayor
battery mate.
Manager Dale Gear of the Topeka
club and Manager Nick Maddox OF
Wichita announced Thursday night that
their teams were ready to start. Both
declared they would make good
showing in this contest and throughout
the entire Western League season.
The state capitol, the railroad omces
and banks were closed and the en-
ployees of the various mercantile houses
were allowed to attend the game.
few wichita fans came to Topeka
to witness the contest. With the Wich-
tia club of II players were Dan breese'
president Of the club, and Frank r.
McMullen, secretary.
The weather was unpleasant on ac-
count of the high wind from the south
and interfered with tie work or OUT
fielders. A big cr' wd passed through
the turnstiles at Kaw park, beginning
at 1 o'clock.
Umpire Parent was assigned to work
in the IL games that Topeka will play
at home before going on the road. MOI
rison was assigned to work with MIN
but was taken sick and did not come
to Topeka today.
Umpire Jack Haskell is working at
Lincoln; Stockdale and Jaston at 81.
Joseph and Barr and Cassidy at Des
Moines.
Manager Nick Maddox thinks the
Wichita club will make a much better
showing this year than ever before. He
has picked up a lot of promising
Youngsters, and with a sufflcient
number of old heads to steady them.
he thinks that the team Will De 1lSnt-
ing all the way.
The batteries for todays game were
Brown and McAllister for the Kaws
and Durham and Graham for Wichita.
street corners before. the game and at
the ball park during the contest, The
Rooster club failed to carry out the
plans for which it was organized.
Celebrate Two Days at st. Joe.
st. Joe, April 1.-THE Western
league baseball season was opened
here today with a program OF festiv1-
ties to continue two days
The weather Is clear and warm and
the city is gaily decorated. A half
holiday beginning at noon was pro-
claimed by Mayor Pfeiffer.
A motor car parade with the con-
tending teams in line, was the fea-
ture this afternoon and Mayor-Elect
Eliot Marshall was announced to
throw the first ball in the game be-
tween the st. Joseph and Sioux City
teams at league park at $3.50 o'clock.
Tonight there will be a gorgeous elec-
trical parade of motor cars and other
vehicles illuminated by electricity.
Tomorrow afternoon a trades parade
will be the feature and the festivities
will close tomorrow night with q
"physiognomy" pageant within which
the boosters club and others will ap-
pear in fantastic costumes.
Tip O'Nein at Des Moines.
Des Moines, April 17.-Cloudy wealth
er early today caused some apprehen-
sion, but preparations here for the
Western league season opening went
forward as If the skies were clear. The
contest was between Omaha and Des
Moines. e. L. O'Neill, president of the
Western league, with Governor Clark
and other prominent officials of the
state were in attendance and Mayor
James r. Hanna pitched the first ball.
Governor at Lincoln Game.
Lincoln, April 17.-Business houses
and offices of this city closed this
afternoon in honor of the opening of
the Western League season here in the
game between Denver and the local
team. Clear. warm weather was spoiled
by a high wind. Governor Morehead
pitched the first Sail, which was re-
ceived by Mayor Zehrung.
At $3.50 o'clock this Afternoon it was
estimated that 1000 persons were
seated in the Kaw park. Wichita
made nothing in the first half of the
first inning.