Omaha daily bee., 1916-08-28
Greatest Crowd in History of 49,.
Western League Sees Rourkes
And Links Divide Double Bill
Marty O'Toole Hurls Great
Ball in First Game, But
Errors Give Lincoln
Second Fray.
MARTY KRUG HURTS LEG

Western league ball game watched
Omaha and Lincoln break even in
double header at Rourke park yes
terday afternoon. Omaha won the
first fray, S to 3, and Lincoln won
the second game, 7 to s.
Before time was called for the
front section of the twin bill at 2
o'clock it was evident a record-break-
ing crowd would witness the games.
The grandstand and bleachers were
nearing capacity and still every street
car continued to bring throngs to the
park. When the game started the
lines of ticket purchasers extended
clear out into Fifteenth street. Fully
200 persons were waiting in line when
the gong sounded and no more did
one person buy a ticket than another
took his place. 1t seemed as if the
line would never diminish.
Shortly after 2 o'clock the park
vas crowded. The entire grand
stand and bleachers were filled. Ev-
cry box seat was sold. Then the
gates were thrown open to the field
and fully thousand more persons
vent out on the grass. Even the
feminine fans in the fall finery had
field.
Fill Up Ais1es.
All OF the aisles in the grandstand
we're filled with fans and the prom
enade at the top of the stand was
occupied by fans five deep.
The seating capacity of the park
IS 1900 Fully thousand more &C.
cupied the aisles or stood along the
rail at the top of the stands. And
fully another thousand, perhaps
more, were in the field.
But in all events it was the great
est crowd that ever saw Western
league ball game. Even in the hal
cyon days of old nothing like it
vas seen in Rourke park. 1t was
the first time since the new plant was
erected that every seat was sold. In
1902 crowd of 5000 persons at
tended Sunday game in Oamaha.
That was the previous record
Links Out in Force.
Lincoln was out in force for the
event. A special train carrying ESQ
persons and band arrived at noon.
Probably 500 others came on the reg
ular trains and by auto.
The enthusiasm was wonderful to
behold. One would imagine worlds
series was being played The games
last over a period of four hours and
half, but practically everybody
staid until the end.
1t was a wonderful event and it
will be many years before another
such crowd is seen in Rourke park
O'Toole Hurls Great Game.
To Marty O'Toole goes the credit
for the victory in the first game of
the Sabbath matinee. Marty hurled
a great game of ball, allowing but
three hits and only one of the Lin
coin runs was earned. On the other
hand Omaha hammered Gardner for
eleven hits and easily deserved the
win.
Omaha threatened in both the first
and second innings, but failed to
score. In the opening stanza Krug
and Thompson singled, but Miller and
Marshall fouleds out. Cy Forsythe
opened the second with a triple, but
his mates couldn't put him across.
In the third Lincoln garnered all
Of their tallies. The frame started
when Rohrer coaxed a walk from
OToole. Gardner sacrificed and Car
isle scored Rohrer with. double to
right. Tony Smith then sacrificed
and Thomson rolled an easy ground
er to Kilduff. Kewpie unused it up,
and Carlisle counted. Tommy then
stole second and scored on Lober's
double to left.
That finished it for the Links,
however. They did not make sin
gle hit during the remaining six in
pings and never got past first base.
O'Toole seemed to be able to do as
he pleased with the Duckiing slug
gers.
Rourkes lombard Gardner.
The Rourkes started to lombard
Gardner in the fourth inning and
knotted the count in that round Mil
Ter opened the festivities with single
70 center. After. Marshall whitfield
forsythe beat out a bunt. Kilduff
grounded out, but Burg delivered a
single to right which scored Miller
and Forsythe. Then Marty O'Toole
reefed double into left center, send
ing Burg over with the tying tally.
The fans hit the roof when O'Toole
made his double, and the stands
shook
In the fifth inning Krug's men put
the game on ice. After Irelan flew
out, Thompson drew a walk and Mil
Ter hit a double throunh f;rs4 NJ.