Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1915-05-06
TAKE FIRST GAME OF SEASON
FROM CLINTON IN pEsPER-
ATE BATTLE.
DARING OF NoRvoLD
TERMINATES CONTEST
Record Breaking Crowd Witnesses In.
auaurai Of Central Association Sea.
son-see- Saw Contest Goes Into Ex-
ira Innings-Martini Robbed Of Homo
Run by Interference Of Coach.

The baseball lid was lifted Wednes-
son of the Central association in Mar
| shalltown was celebrated under most
! suspicious circumstances. The event
I! was a record breaker in many ways,
! first. in point of attendance, the crowd.
which numbered nearly $500 fans,
probably being the largest that has
ever gathered for a game at the An
sons park; secondly. the great in
| tensity of the battle, which was waged
for twelve innings, and thirdly, Mar
shaIltown opened the season with a
victory.
! The game a see saw contest, was a
thriller and just such an exhibition as
! might have been specially rehearsed
for a huge holiday crowd. The main
issue. the result of the contest, was
/, decided in favor of the Ansons, in a
spectacular finish. 5 to 4.
! Enlivened by the presence OF two
willing bands, honored by the attend
ance of FIVE of the foremost stars OF
the American stage and facing a
beautiful playing field with a team
clad in natty new white uniforms, the
fans gave vent to their enthusiasm,
pent up thru the long winter months.
and pandemonium reignei practically
turnout the battle.
Mayor Pitches First Ball.
Following the parade, which con-
sisted of the police and fire depart
ments the home and visiting clubs,
the Miller carnival company's pageant
and scores of automobiles. the big
crowd seethed thru The gates and the
game was delayed a few minutes I'M
til all could be taken care of at the
ticket window. Shortly after o'clock
Mayor l. S. Willard assembled the
pitchers mound and hurled the first
ball, officially inaugurating the sea
son. The mayor was followed by the
club mascot. Elmer Woodward. Jr.,
aged S. who took a wiudup and shot
the ball over for the first strike.
There was a deafening roar from
the stands, then filed to overflowing.
and the first game of ne year was on
Hard Fought See-saw Game.
The Ansons won, lost, tied. and re-
Won the game. which was n doubt I'M
til Norvold showed his daring in the
| final session, and carried his team tc
two-base drive. Jones and Richardson
the opposing pitchers. were in good
form. the latter allowing the fewer
y hits and setting an early season
strike-out record.
Two of Clinotns rims We're the re-
suit of errors, which prolonged the
contest, while the other pair were
earned. Marshalltown's TALES came
for the most part from successful hit
ting.
Martini Robbed Of Homer.
Martini was robbed OF q home rur
in the first inning, which would have
resulted in two runs and proba bl,
would have given the AaSons an early
victory. thru a peculiar ci7cumstanc,
and one which has caused much spec
ulation as to the exact Interpretation
of the rules.
Martins home run blow came in tn,
s, opening inning. when Brown was oc
cupying second base. The clout wa.
to left and cleared the fence by gooc
! margin. Martini logged around tn
bases and passed third, but afte
rounding the bag his teammate, Beard
coaching at third base, grasped Mar
TIM by the hand as he turned towart
home plate. Umpire Cook ruled tn,
I base runner out, and Martini, as a re
suit, was credited with a three-bas
hit, Brown with score, and the sid
was retired.
Claim Ball Was Dead.
AS to the correctness of the ruin,
there is some question. The officia
rules are explicit on the matter of in
reference from coacher, and na'
I the ball been hit any place on fair ter
. ritory within the playing field, Martin
unquestionably would have been out
I The ball was dead, however, when i
| was sent outside the park and tn
> moment it cleared the fence Martin
4 was entitled to a home run hit, pro
vided he used due diligence in com
D pleting the circuit, and in touching a.
I of the bags. While the rules do no
cover the point in question. the edito
Z of Spalding's guide gives an opinion O.
a place identical to that Of Wednesda,
He holds that the ball, being dead
J prevents any possible play on the bas
runner, and should he make the cir
cult touching all the bags, he is en-
! titled to a home run, and the fact tina
a coacher touches the player shoul
\ not rob him Of an earned run. How
ever, in the National League, only re
Gently, similar offense was ruled 1
exact accordance with Umpire Cook
decision.
Take Lead in First.
The Ansons took the lead in the
4 first inning, Brown singing and stea
ing second after Harris had been re
tired on a fly to Milligan. Anderso
i fouled out to Simmons, who made
spectacular catch. Martini then h
the ball over the fence for his home
but was declared out after roundir
third Brown had crossed the pla
ahead Of the Martini ruling, and II
score counted.
The Pilots suco eeded in tieing II
score in their fourth, a base on bal
to Milligan leading to the run. Mem
sacrificed, sending Milligan to secon
Manusch dropped bunt in front
the plate, and Milligan scored wht
Hammerschmidt overthrow first
catch Manusch.
The tie was short lived, however. Il
q Ansons again taking the lead in the
4 half of the same frame. Martini singh
to right and Norvold was safe whs
Kensel booted his grounder. Marti
scored on Dietrich's sacrifice fly.
Clinton Takes Lead.
Clinton Immediately tied the cou
again in the next session, scoring aft
the first two men had been retire