The Washington herald., 1917-04-11
Large Crowd Expected to At
tend First Came Of the
Season.
Season
BY JOHN A. DUGAN.

Philadelphia. Pa. April 10-Bat-ter-ies..
johnson pitching. and Ainsmith catching,
for Washington; Bush pitching and
Ischang catching. for Athletics.
This Is the way they announce the bat
cries up ere in Quaker City The fa-
mlrar call win be megaphoned to the
Sunderland fans and fannettes tomor-
row at MaciS's field when the Nationals
oppose Connie Mack's Athletics In the
opening game of the American League
sc ason in this city.
From reports OF the advance sales OF
seats. these Quaker City fans intend to
tufa out In grand style for the initial
battle, as It is the belief Of the Philadel-
phians that the Macks Of 1917 will not
be the down-trodden club of Ban B. John
CONS circuit.
The Quaker fans are satisfied that the
Sphinx Connie" has again gathered
around him ball club that has a chance
to battle the best of them In the Ameri-
can League. and although war talk Is
the biggest topic here, q good crowd will
be on hand at Shibe's tomorrow after
noon to welcome the opening.
MY bail club Is ready and l am sure
that we are going to show these Phila-
delphia fans some real baseball during
the next four days" Is the statement
handed out by the Old Fox tonight to the
Quaker City scribes. 1t is surprising the
confidence that every member OF Grtf-
fith's clan has in the coping Of this
opening game, as the athletes from the
Capital City are sure that they will get
away with flying colors in the inaugural
tomorrow.
Walter johnson has been suffering
from a stiff neck during the past two
days. but the big smokeball king claims
that he does not think that he will be
compelled to pass up the pitching of the
game tomorrow. The big smoke stated
last night, II feel a great deal better
tonight and IL Grin asks me to pitch the
game tomorrow 1 will willingly answer
his call My arm Is in great shape and
all 1 ask is for the boys to get me Q
few runs and l am sure that we will get
away with a victory"
If johnson Is not in shape to do himself
justice. Bert Gallia, the big Texan. will
be given the honor of pitching the open
ing game for the Griffmen. Mel is in
splendid form and Ii confident II he Is
called that he will give a good account
of himself.
Grifr's clan arrived here shortly after
3 o'clock and proceeded Immediately to
the Majestic Hotel. All the boys turned
in early so as to be At for the inaugural
tomorrow.
The Nationals party which left WASH
ington at s o'clock tonight was twenty
nine strong. The party included: Pitch
ers, johnson, Shaw, Gallia, Ayers, Du-
mont, Craft and Jameson; catchers,
Henry. Ainsmith and Charity: infielders,
Judge, Shanks, Foster, Mcbride, Crane.
Leonard and Morgan, and outhelders.
Smith, Milan, Rice and Menoskey. Train
er Mike Martin, Coach Nick Altrock, Sec
retary Billy Fowler. Manager Griffith.
Corporal Dean and four war correspond
ents made up the party.
The general snowstorm which prevailed
throughout the Eastern section of the
country must have all fell on Shibe's
field. as last night It was the opinion Of
the baseball scribes here that the opening
may hove to be postponed, but a stiff
wind and sunshine has been holding sway
all day and prospects for the playing Of
the game are bright providing the un-
foreseen does not happen.
The Old Fox closed arrangements with
Manager Mack tonight to hold an exhi-
bition drill between the players Of the
two squads tomorrow before the game
The Old Fox Is confident that the Ma
tionals con out-drill the Mackmen, and
the Little Corporal Dean will be given
his first opportunity to look for results.
The clubs will probably line up as fol-
lows: