Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1915-10-09
Moran's Best Bet Is Sent
to Mound to Pitch in
the Opening Fray
CROWDS FILL THE
PARK TO CAPACITY
Play Is Exceptionally Fast
Considering Condition
of Playing Field

National League Park, Philadelphia,
Oct S.-The Philadelphia Nationals
won the opening game of the worlds
series here this afternoon, defeating
the Boston Americans by score of 3
to 1. Despite the fact that the Red
Sox outhit the Phillies, errors and a
lack of playing judgment at critical
MON ents gave the contest to the Ma
tional league pennant winners. Neith-
er Alexander or Shore pitched sensa-
tional ball but excellent defensive
work at their backs kept the score
down. Paskert's great running catch
of Gardner's long drive to center field
in tho eighth inning shut off Red
Sox rally and was the fielding feature
Of the day.
O'Clock the sun came out. Then it was
only question as to the condition Of
the grounds. The four umpires went
to the park and saw that Sam Payne,
the groundkeeper, had done the best
he could to protect the playing field.
They found the field very wet but de-
cided that conditions would be much
better in few hours. They reported
to the commission that if there was no
further rain the game could be played.
The commission so announced and
when the news was flashed about the
city there was a general movement
toward the ball grounds.
The disagreeable weather apparent
ay had no effect on the bleacherites,
some of whom have been in line for
more than thirty-six hours waiting for
the opening of the gates at 10 o'clock.
Men and boys alike refused to be out
done by the weather and maintained
their steady vigil throughout the night,
adopting every conceivable device to
keep dry tnd warm.
BY noon the soaked and slippery
base paths had been covered with a
top coat of dry dirt and sand. The
pitchers box was in pretty bad shape,
while the ground on either side of the
Flate was little less than a quagmire.
The grassy outfeld was in fair shape,
the sun was assisting the ground
keeper in his effort to put the diamond
in safe condition, but there was much
speculation as to the effect OF the
slow field on the game.
At 12:40 the home players made
their appearance and received noisy
greeting from the bleacherites, the
Erandstands still being but picture
of empty benches.
The Red Sox reached the park at
1850 and there was a momentary
cheer for the visitors, who struggled
in few at time.
The Phillies made a careful inspec-
iion of the field. The ground in front
OF the players benches was almost
ankle deep in mud.
Grover Cleveland Alexander, idol OF
the Philadelphia fans and the hope of
the home team in the series, got a
special greeting when he was recog
nized carefully muffled up in blue
sweater coat. ALEX" made his way
directly to the pitchers box and in
spected it minutely. Apparently sat
istied, he proceeded to the home
bench.
Shortly before 1 o'clock gasoline
was spread along the base paths and
set on fire in further effort to dry out
the ground The flames leaped fifty
feet, The heat could be felt in the
stands.
Betting Is Light.
Although betting on the series has
not been brisk, several wagers of fair
size have been placed, mostly at to 8,
with Boston the favor1te There seem
ed to be plenty of backing for the
American league champions but the
would be betters were reluctant to give
odds. Several bets were made on the
result of the first game, National
league supporters offering to that
Philadelphia would win provided Alex
ander was chosen to do the pitching.