davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-04-13

corps arrived and entered the grounds. 1 Tn the meantime. however, Nappis l band in the grandstand, had entertained the crowds
 | The boys some 400 strong, were well greeted when they entered. They marched | straight to the scoreboard in right field and then the band circed and came back | to the grandstand The squads then di- l vided and the drill of the youngsters started
 l It was a credit to Birmingham to have l so fine group of young men and boys drilling was the case yesterday. The band rendered patriotic airs and when, 1 the drill was completed, the entire at | tendance arose and applauded the boys as | they marched to their seats.
 OLD GLORY RAISED < | Infield practice then started and 1 few minutes later the bands gathered at l the flag pole and Old Glory was raised to the top, while the bands played "The i Star-Spangled Banner" The entire at tendance arose. with hats off until the | flag had reached the top of the pole l A few minutes later Umpire Bill Hart 1 called .play ball and the seventeenth annual season of the Southern league was 1 formally under way. The rain began to i fall harder and soon most all of the peo- 1 pie in the bleachers deserted and the l crowd began to file away to catch cars <. to the cltN.
 1 Men who led the campaign to win the attendance trophy for Birmingham were not disappointed over the showing made | 'I think we made an awfully fine show 1 ing said Chairman Frank Jutz. last night. Had the rain came about two /! hours later believe we would have ] had fully 15,000 people at the game 1 BIRMINGHAM IS BEST 1 Yesterdays attendance shows, in my 1 opinion. that Birmingham is without a doubt the best baseball town in the south 1 Atlanta won the trophy solely because 1 the rain killed our crowd We'll win it next year to show them. The Birmng- | ham people are real sports however, and those that did attend the game yesterday deserved much credit for their patriotic spirit
 Allow me. a. president of the Birming i ham Baseball association to thank Chair man Jutz. assistant Chairman Jenkins, Secretaries Everett and Babb, and the
 press for their excellent cooperation in
 our effort to win the 1917 attendance
 trophy" said w. D. Smith, last night. ! f know we lost the fight but luck was ! against us. l am convinced that Bir-
 mingham is a better baseball town than Atlanta and perhaps some day We will 1 be able to show it.
 | 'The Birmingham fans are fine. There
 are none better in the world We did all we could. however. We'll take re-
 yenge on Atlanta by beating them at ev-
 cry opportunity and especially in the league race"
 | Harry Jones, one of Birmingham's l well knows fans. threw the first ball to 1 Catcher Red Smith He then turned and
 pinned the American coors on Preacher
 Perryman, the Baron finger, before leav-
 i ing the pitchers box. The game started
 immediately with heavy rain falling. l The police in charge of Sergeant H. Fl. 1 Moreland kept perfect order. Sergeant
 Moreland should also be commended on
 the manner in which he kept the crowd well in hand. Not a single disorder was !reported.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-04-13

take notice. He's hard and willing worker"
 Werner played right field yesterday against the Vols. He starred at the bat, getting a pair of safeties. One was double to center, while it was his single in the eighth which started the fireworks which resulted in run being scored.
 He left last night for Columbus, where he will remain in training until the open ing of the Sally league season He will make one of the best outfielders in the Sally league this season, without a doubt and Columbus was fortunate to secure his services for another term.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-04-13

my Sheehan had reached second on his single to left and Coombs' error in fielding the ball.
 Dick Kaufman hit hot grounder to Webb and he quickly dived at Shee- han, tagging him out, and then re- covered in time to throw Kauffma n out by small margin at first The crowd gave him fine applause.
 It was his hit in the eighth inning which sent Dock Johnston home with the first Baron tally of the day In four trips to the plate he got two sim gles.
 Blinky Horn and Bob Pigue, a cou- pie of Nashville scribes, were down with the Vols yesterday to the opening game Blnky is with the Tennessean, while Bob is connected with the Ban- ner. Both expressed their delight with Birmingham and especially with Rick wood and the crowd-until the rain started.
 An attendance of 4000 will be good for Nashville at the opening game to- day. according to Pigue. big parade in which automobiles will take the chief part, will be held today in the capital city of Tennessee.
 Athletics are on the wane at Van- derbilt, following the declaration of war. which caused the Commodore au- thorities to postpone all athletic events, including baseball, for the re mainder of the spring, in the opinion of Horn. He believes, however, activi- ties will be renewed by football sea son. They both returned to Nashville last night
 Here's a few "firsts" that are inter- esting to the average fan: First single, Sheehan: first error Coombs; first run, Wells: first putout, Smith; first assist, Webb; first hit by pitched ball, Caton; first sacrifice hit Street; first three base hit, OBrien; first two-base hit, Sheehan: first base on balls, Knisely first home run, Kores; first Baron to hit safe. Smith; first Baron to score. Johnston; first Baron to walk Smith; first Baron to reach second base, Webb; first Baron to strike out, Clark.
 The Chattanooga Lookouts come here Monday for three-game series. The Lookouts. under the leadership of Kid Elberfeld, are supposed to be in better condition than any other club in the Southern league as the result of their tour through Texas. The Lookouts have undergone va st changes since last season and only d few of the inconsistent players who made up the Elberfeld crew last year are back in line. The games will start at 3 o'clock regularly until later in the season
The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-04-13

Two-base hits-Sheehan, Knisely, John- ston, Werner. Three-base hit-O'Brien Home run-Kores.
 Earned runs-Nashvile g. Birmingham ?. Double plays-Webb to Johnston; Caton to Clark; Sheehan to PeZold to Kauff- man.
 Sacrifice hits-Kores 1, Johnston 1. Base on balls-Perryman 3, Johnston 4, Wells 2.
 Left on bases-Nashville 5, Birming- ham g.
 Hit by pitched balls-Wells (Caton.) Hits off Perryman, in 2-3 innings; Johnston in 1-3 innings.
 Struck out-Perryman 9; Johnston A.; Wells 3.
 Passed balls-Smith.
 Wild pitches-Wel
 Time of game-Two hours.
 Umpires-Hart and Pfenninger
The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-04-13
ATTENDANCE AT ATLANTA
 NEARLY 12,OOO, SAYS REPORT

Atlanta, April 12-Rube Marshall, pitch ing for Chattanooga, proved effective in the pinches in the opening game of the season here today and the Lookouts de- feated Atlanta easily, to 1. As a result of efforts of local enthusiasts and busi- ness men to capture the Southern associa- tion attendance trophy the 1ocai park was jammed. While official figures were
 not available tonight, officers of the At
 lanta club said the attendance was nearly
The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-04-13
Giants Win Over Braves

Boston, April 12.-The Baseball season was opened in this city at Braves field today with defeat of the local team by New York, to 4. This game was typical early season contest, with snow ringing the field, cold wind blowing and a trace of rain in the air.
 The usual opening ceremonies gained color from the presence of bluejackets and marines, who took part in the march to the flag pole preliminary to raising Old Glory, while an airplane circled overhead Score: R. H. E. New York ............... 900 500 OO0-6 Il ? Boston ..............O .O02 101 000-4
 Batteries Sallee, Anderson and Rari- den McCarty; Rudolph, Allen, Barnes and CoWdY.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-04-13
COTTON KNAUPP'S SINGLE
 GIVES PELICANS VICTORY

Mobile, April 12.-Knaupp's single in the tenth inning, scoring Higgins gave New Orleans the winning run of the opening game here today, to D. The game was played on a field ankle deep in mud. while it drizzled steadily throughout the contest. The score:
The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-04-13
TRAVELLERS WIN WHEN
 BJJZZY WARES DELIVERS

Little Rock, April 12.-Little Rock de- feated Memphis today, to 2 The game was decided in the seventh when Little Rock had men on second and third with two out and the score tied. Manager Donlin of Memphis ordered Pitcher Hoyt to pass Tincup to bring up Wares. Ht dropped a Texas leaguer back of third base that scored the winning run. The game was played in drizzling rain Tha score.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-04-13
TEXAS LEAGUE

At Houston: Houston 1, San Antonio 8. At Beaumont: Beaumont 3, Calves ton 2
 At Dallas: Dallas O. Fort Worth 5. At Shreveport Shreveport Waco, rain.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-04-13

At Milwaukee,: Milwaukee 6. St. Paul A. At Indianapolis: Indianapolis F, To- ledo 1.
 At Louisville: Columbus 3, Louisville 1. At Kansas City: Kansas City Il. Min neapolis 5.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-04-13

Double play, Kennedy to Greene Struck out Robinson B. Hoyt 2. Base on balls Robinson 3, Hoyt 3. Earned runs. l1oyt 3, Robinson ?. Hit by pitcher, Robinson (Bitting) Time, 140. Empires Morgan and Breitenstein.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-04-13

Atlant0 Wins Attendance
 Trophy; Figures Uncertain
Officials of Atlanta Club Claim Over 12OO0 Witness Game Jupiter Pluvius Prevents Birmingham From Making
 Usual Showing-Boys Drill Is Excellent
SOME DOUBT ON FIGURES

Atlanta April 12(Speca)Fumors were current in baseball circles official todays game was slightly officials that 1200O the Another weather disappointed crowd Fully official of the attendance will that kept Brminghams Atlanta will the trophy at the first ball
The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-04-13
SPORTS
Rain Preuents Birmingham From Winning Trophy
Rain Fails 10 Stop Game
 And BdrOns Drop Opener
Preacher Peyman and Arthur Johnson Hit Hard and Barons Go Down in Observation-Disclosures Shower Casts Damper
 on Contest-Barons Off for Nashville
By FRED BoDEKER

starting the yesterday
  dsnterestns cracked the Southern typical Southern
The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-04-13

As an aid to fruit piclers, a Washing ton inventor has patented a ladder SC mounted on a wheeled support that it can be raised and lowered and inclined al various angles to reach all parts of d tree.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-04-13
Appleton Released

New York, April 12.-The Brooklyn Ma tional league club tonight announced the release of Pitcher Edward Appleton to the Baltimore International league club.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-04-13
COLLEGE BASEBALL

At Newberry. S C.: Charleston College 2, Newberry 6.
 At Statesville N. C.: Davidson College 1O Trinity College ?.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-04-13
Jim Bagby Beats Tigers

Detroit, April 12.-Bagby had a little the
 edge of Ehmke in finely pitched game today which Cleveland won from De- troit, to 1. Speaker made three hits in four times at bat. Score: R. H. E. Cleveland ........... 100 900 100--2 ' 2 Detroit ............. O10 900 OO0-1 5 o Batteries: Bagby and O'Nell; Ehmke and Spencer.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-04-13
Senators Win Easily

Philadelphia, April 12.-Washington hit the ball hard here today and secured an easy victory over Philadelphia. to ?. Foster made triple and two singles in five times up. Score: R. H. E. Washington ....... 301 COZ O00-6 F 0 Philadelphia .... 100 O0l OO0-2 6 l |. Batteries: Gallia and Henry: Myers, Moves, Majors and Schang.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-04-13

The official attendance at yesterday s game at Redwood was 9207. Atlanta re- corded an attendance of over 1000 and is consequently awarded the cup for 1917 for having the largest paid attendance on the opening game of the season. No other town came near touching the mark set by Birmingham and Atlanta.
 But here's the difference in Atlanta s victory this year and Birmingham's vic- tory for the past four years. The weather in Atlanta yesterday was an exact con- trast to that here. The sun was out all day long, and in other words Atlanta had an ideal day, the kind the weather man had promised Birmingham.
 Here it rained from l o'clock in the afternoon until almost 4:3o o'clock, ard at that over 5000 people were out. If Br- mingham can have 5000 out on day like yesterday, then it is safe to predict that the 15OOO mark would have easily been surpassed had fair weather existed the entire afternoon
 BIRMINGHAM FIGHTS HARD
 Birmingham's defeat comes after four years of strenuous striving on the part of every town in the league. Ever since
 
 Birmingham has won it with ease. Local workers made strenuous effort to again turn the tide and had the weather been as good as in Atlanta, there is no doubt but that we would again be awarded the presidents trophy for being the best base ball town in the south.
 The fight for the attendance trophy has been waged bitterly between Birmingham and Atlanta for the past two weeks. Chairman Frank Jutz and his committee, assisted by Blanks Everett secretary of the Chamber of Commerce, and Joseph Babb, secretary of the Civic association, and the press worked faithfully anG had J. P. only waited until after the game had started to begin his downpour, record for the opening day game.
 Long before time for the game to start crowds began to pour into the park. Tie gates opened shortly after 1 o'clock and before 1:30 o'clock the greater portion of the grandstand had been filled to @ pacity. Both bleachers on the sides of the grandstand began to fill and before AS o'clock they were filled.
 BLEACHERS QUICKLY FILLED
 The rain could be felt in the air, but still the crowd continued to arrive at the park. The bleachers on the right field foul line were then taxed to capacity and soon the new bleachers on the left field foul line were damned.
 The crowd then began to take to the beachers in deep center field and these had been about half filled when the rain began to fall so heavily that they were forced to seek shelter.
 The crowd of 90O0 was chuck full of patriotism however. The first band to arrive on the scene was the Second regi- ment band. They entered by the gate to the right of the Barons bench and marched straight across the field to the flag pole taking seats in the bleachers there.
 BOYS BEGIN DRILL
 About 20 minutes later the band of the Boys Industrial school and the entire
The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-04-13
Douglas Beats Pirates

Chicago, April 12.-Phil Douglas held Pittsburg to four scattered hits today, while Chicago punched hits behind Coop CTS wildness and won their second con- secutive victory, 2 to 0. Score: R. H. E. Pittsburg ...............0 900 900 O00-O Chicago ...............01 .010 100 OO0-2 8 2
 Batteries: Cooper, Miller and Fischer, Schmidt; Douglas and Elliott.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-04-13
By FRED BODEKER

President Robert H. 6au9h capable of performing did it all himself yesterday afternoon
The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-04-13
AMERICAN LEAGUE
STANDING

Results Yesterday Cleveland 2, Detroit 1. Washington 6, Philadelphia ?. Boston 6, New York 1. Chicago-St. Louis, rain.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-04-13
RARONS RALLY IN NINTH

In the ninth, the Barons worked up a feeble rally. With one gone. Walter Werner singled to right. Homer Ha- worth, batting for Johnson, sent a Texas leaguer to right Kid Caton singled sharply to left, but Werner was held at third. Doc Johnston lifted a long fly to right and Werner scored. Coombs ended the session with fly to O'Brien in center.
 The rain lasted long enough to put the field in a poor condition. The ground was very soggy and sawdust was placed in the pitchers and catcher's box after Jupiter Pluvius had ceased his entertain ment.
 The Vols appear to have a very strong team and when Roy is able to get into the game the lineup will be fully as strong as last year, provided, of course, the pitchers do their part.
 The Barons and Vols left last night for Nashville, where they open three game series this afternoon. The Barons will open here Monday against the Chat tanooga Lookouts.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-04-13
STANDING
Results Yesterday

Pittsburg o. Chicago 2.
 St. Louis o. Cincinnati 1. New York 6. Boston 4. Philadelphia Brooklyn, rain.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-04-13

*-Batted for Bressler in eighth.
 **Batted for Fullenweider in ninth.
 Score by innings:
 Chattanooga ....................uOl lo5 ooV-o Atlanta .Vlo VVo VoV-l
 Summary: Two-base hit, Hyatt. Three base hits, Bowden, Hyatt, Munch. Double plays, Pitler to Graft to Kitchins. Hits and runs, Sheehan in innings, Bressler o in innings. Fullenweider 1 in 1 inning. Struck out, Marshall B. Sheehan ?, Fullen weider l. Base on balls, Marshall 1, Full lenweider 2, Bressler l. Sacrifice hits, Marshall, Mcdonald. Stolen base. Moran. Time, 2:O5. Empires, Kerin and O'Toole.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-04-13
KNISELY DELIVERS

Perryman was then escorted to the showers and Johnson went to the rescue. Pete Knisey welcomed Arthur to the slab with a vicious single to center on which Kaufman moved to second. Kores was walked, and the bases were filled. Larry Pezold, with the count three and two, cracked a pretty single to left and Kaufman and Knisely scored Moose Marshall struck out on his second trip to the plate, retiring the side.
 In the seventh. after the rain had ceased the Vols added a couple of more tallies. Dick Kaufman walked, but was thrown out trying to swipe second. Pete Knisely was passed and Kores scored him when he hit the ball into the right field bleachers for the home run.
 The Barons first tally was made in the eighth inning. Doc Johnston doubled to right as 8 starter. Kores made great stop of Cecil Coombs' drive and threw him out at first. Danny Clark skied out to center. Young Bill Webb delivered in the pinch, however. driving clean single to center and Doc romped across for the initial Baron tally.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-04-13
Games Today

Chicago at St. Louis. Cleveland at Detroit. Washington at Philadelphia. Boston at New York.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-04-13

son. Two-base hit. Griffith. Sacrifice hits, Knaupp, Simpson. Golvin. Stolen bases, Knaupp. Stansbury Higgins. Pitching record: Four hits, 5 runs off Walker in innings; Kroh, 1 hit, no runs. in 2 innings; Blodgett. 12 hit., 6 runs in 10 innings. Struck our, Rlodgett, 6: Walker A. Kroh, 1. Base on balls, Blodgett, 5: Walker, 6. Hit by pitched ball. Walker U.ayden, Burke), Time. 3:0S. Empires, Chesnutt and Moran.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-04-13
Atlanta Attendance Is AL most 12,000-Pels Win Over Gulls in the
 Tenth Frame
SOUTHERN LEAGUE STANDING
Results Yesterday

Birmingham ?. Nashville 9. Chattanooga 5, Atlanta 1. Little Rock 3, Memhpis 2. New Orleans 6, Mobile 5.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-04-13
Fred Toney in Form

Cincinnati, April 12.-Toney and Ames engaged in a pitchers battle here today, the former having a shade the best of it and Cincinnati won, 1 to 0. Score:
 R. H. E. St. Louis ............ 900 900 0O0-0 l Cincinnati ............ 900 010 00*-1 ' l Batteries: Ames and Snyder; Toney and Wingo,
The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-04-13
Red SOx Win Again

New York, April 12.-The Boston Amer jeans made it two straight over New York here today, batting out another easy victory, to 1. Walker again made three hits, giving him six for the two games played. Score: R. H. E.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-04-13
BARONS OUTPLAYED

But the Barons were outplayed. The Vols looked better in every respect. To those who have seen the Barons in ac- tion previously this season, it was appar- ent that they were playing far below form Moley's men hit the ball hard, but they had a hard time in landing 1t in a spot where some eager Vol would not gobble it up
 The Vols jumped into the lead in the third session. With two men down, Per ryman started the trouble by issuing free pass to Dick Wells. O'Br1en, new acquisition to the Vols outfield, slammed one on the nose to deep right for three bags Wells scored the first run of the season. Sheehan struck out, but Red Smith let the ball get away from him and O'Brien scored. Sheehan was safe at first.
 In the fifth came Perrymans down. fall Moose Marshall led off with sin gle to center and was sacrificed to sec ond by Gabby Street. Dick Wells struck out O'Brien walked again and Tommy Sheehan sent Marshall home when he doubled to left field. Dick Kaufman sim gled to left and OBrien and Sheehan scored
The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-04-13
Games Today

Pittsburg at Chicago. New York at Boston. St. Louis at Cincinnati. Philadelphia at Brooklyn.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-04-13
Totals ....A. .a4 5 *29 10

*Kroh out. foul bunt. third strike.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-04-13
Games Today

Ud ETFtS UUdy Birmingham at Nashville. Atlanta at Chattanooga. Mobile at New Orleans. Memphis at Little Rock.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-04-13
JOHNSON HIT HARD

Arthur Johnson relieved Perry, but he fared but slightly better He improved as the game progressed, but at that didn't hurl very good ball.
 Dick Wells, Roy's reliable, was on the twirling hill for the visitors. Dick had the Barons at his Mercy during the early frames, but he eased up after his team mates had piled up a nine run lead. The Barons are credited with 10 safe blows off his delivery. Sensational fielding probably prevented about four more hard blows from going safe.
 Dick Kaufman and Apple Kores were especially active in the line of rob bing the Baron batters of hits. Dick speared a line drive off the willow of Doc Johnston in the sixth, which was thriller Kores knocked down Coombs' hard drive in the eighth and threw him out at first for another pretty play. Big Moose Marshall in right field, also made a connie of nice catches.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-04-13

Preacher Perryman and Arthur John son, two of Moleys most dependable twirlers, were on the hill for the Barons Their offerings were pounded to all cor- ners of the lot by Roy Ellam's gang and the nine runs scored came as the direct result of timely swatting.
 Preacher Perryman started the twirl- ing duties, but Perry didn't show ex- pected form. He held the Vols nicely until the third frame when they hopped on and scored a couple of counters. In the fifth Ellams crew got their bats to swinging in midseason form and Perry was driven to the showers.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-04-13
American Association

Batteries: Leonard and Thomas;' Sha key, Love and Walter, Nunamaker
The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-04-13
NATIONAL LEAGUE

and Pfenninger.