Harrisburg telegraph. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1879-1948, 1917-05-03
Especial to The Telegraph. }

Especial to The Telegraph.)
Elmira, n. Y, May 3.-Enthusiasm
ran high here yesterday on occasion of
opening of the State League baseball
season, despite chilly weather and
overcast sky. The weather was more
seasonable for football than national
pastime.
notwithstanding dis C u a g n s
weather conditions a great crowd
welcomed the teams at Recreation
Park in the afternoon. The majority
OF factories and business houses
| closed their doors in honor of the
event, that all employees might en-
JOY the sport. The result was that
this city took on holiday appear
ance.
A big baseball demonstration and
parade preceded the actual conflict
in which many civic organizations
an dlarge representations of fans,
together with Harrisburg and Elmira
teams, participated.
Demonstration at Luncheon
The Elmira Chamber of Commerce
luncheon at Federation Building was
turned into a baseball demonstration.
Members of Elmira businessmen IS
association and Rotary Club members
were guests and formed the nucleus
for the big parade that followed
President Nj. Doyle Marks of the
Southern Tier Baseball Association,
President William II. Snyder of the
Elmira Businessmen's Association
and Ex-senator John +. Murtaugh,
were luncheon speakers and confined
their remarks to baseball. A sue
cessful outlook for the new season
and reference to the civic good ac-
complished by sport for various cities
represented featured the addresses
The Elmira and Harrisburg teams
were invited to luncheon bnt declined
on account of the close proximity OF
the hour to that of the games open
ing time.
Parade Starts
The parade. made up of several
hundred citizens both in automo-
biles and on foot started at 1880 p.
m. and marched through the busi-
ness section, headed by Hauver's
band. The parade disbanded at the
corner of Lake and Water streets,
where cars were in waiting to con-
vey the crowds to Recreation Park.
The baseball field presented q gay
appearance. The grandstand and
bleachers were filled with enthusias-
tic crowds, while the outfield was
circled with fans unable to secure
other accommodations.
Unfurl Large Flag
Prior to the game the Harrisburg
and Elmira teams formed in front
of the grandstand and headed by the
band, Mayor II. n. Hoffman, Presi-
dent NJ. Doyle Marks of the local
team, President A. p. Morrow of the
Chamber of Commerce, and William
IL. Snyder, president of the Business
mems Association, marched to the
flagstaff in far corner of the field,
where large American flag was un-
furled to the breezes. Players stood
with uncovered heads and the spec
tators stood and joined in singing
The Star Spangled Banner"
1t was an inspiring sight and the
crowd cheered Justify as the teams
marched back across the field and
sought benches prior to the umpire's
welcome announcement of batteries,
and the old familiar play ball"
Mayor Hoffman tossed the first ball
over the plate-or nearly so-and the
1917 season was officially begun.
The Game Is On
Umpire Glatts announced the bat
teries and named the players as they
came to bat. Harrisburg led off. but
was unable to do much with Matte
son. Cooper was tight. In the second
inning slight attacks of forgetful-
ness with the visitors infield gave
the locals one run.
Through the unsteadiness of the
visiting infield and Pitcher Matte
sons clever slants, Elmira got the