The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1917-04-11
PROSPECTS ARE
GATHERING FOR
BASEBALL OPENING
President Tener Says Game Is En-
tering It's Most Successful
Period of Career
LITTLE JOCKEYING OF
TEAMS DURING WINTER
Only Actual Participation in War
on This Side Can Keep Game
From Wallowing
ENTER BASEBALL DRAMA.

New York, April 11.--Baseball, the
national safety valve for pcnt-up en-
thuSiaSm. all dtcnSe nerves, takes tho
field today before the nation at war.
The approval Of the military authori-
ties is evidenced by the fact that Ma
j0r General Leonard Wood will open
the American league season here by
tossing out the new bail at the polo
grounds.
Club owners expect a fairly pros
porous season. but admit that re-
ceipts and attendance probably will
be cut by the war. They are cncour-
aged, however, bv the fact that the
game tlourished during the Spanish
American war. and that the Interna-
ltonal league games in Canada last
summer were we'll attended
BY II. G. Hamilton
New York. April 11.--Bascball, open
Ing today III both major leagues. is 60
ing to be given the greatest shove down
the chutcs leading to the worlds series
that it ever experienced. Set psychic
logically, physically mad financially for
dash along the seasons stretch the
game will mount to heights it never
before saw.
Only one thing, an actual declaration
OF war, can stop it, Governor John X.
Iencr. president Of the National league
smashed the ancient nail squarcly on
its battered head when he expressed
recently the belief that the game is
entering the most successful period
OF its long and prosperous career.
TENER HAS A HUNCH
Tener had the bunch that war wasn't
going to have bit of effect in drag.in.
the national pastime from Il chosen
peak on the apple of the pubic's eye.
Only actual participation in the
struggle on this side Of the Atlantic
he said. could keep the game from
wallowins in popularity right up to
the last ball.
And if predictions hold out and the
Chicago White Sox mace their way
into a cut Of the worlds series coin.
some records for worlds series popular
lty are going to fall quiyering by the
wayside The White Sox in worlds
series tilt with the New York Giants.
or any other club for that matter.
probably would gum up history's pages
with records of baseball enthusiasm.
These things are in the offing. Base
ball is getting ready for it. If they
don't come to pass the baseball worlds
going to be awfully disappointed.
LITTLE JOCKEYING OF TEAMS
There has been very little jockeying
Of teams during the winter months.
Most of them will enter the conflict
III much the same shape as they quit
last year, with the exception of the
averages. First division times are
generally picked Us follows:
American League-Chicago, Boston.
Detroit and New York. National
York, Boston. Brooklyn
and Philadelphia. Philadelphia in the
league and Cincinnati in the
National. have provided the fans with
some tender morsels of argument dur
Ing the winter. Under the tutelage of
Christy DIathewson the Reds look
nearer a baseball team than for sew
sral years. He has gathered some
has attempted to make over
lis pitching staff, and he has Hal
,hase. If the Reds improve, every
me will be well satisfied.
MACK is BIG POWER
Connie Mack long time ago men
Toned in u casual conversation that
e expected to have his team back in
he fight for the 1917 pennant race.
lie has had q lot Of ball players since
nat famous saying. but it really looks
s il he would cut more of figure
lis year than since he welded the ak
h his one time steam roller. He
rs Il fairly good iHfield. an average
ltfield, aud a coming pitching stall.
! addition, he has three splendid
ltchers. His team will be one OF the
.avicst hitting organizations in the
league, II his pitchers