Evening star., 1918-04-13
By pENMAN THoMPsoN.

On the eve of another big league base
ball season, which opens next week.
the sixteen teams comprising the Amer r
lean and National circuits all have re-
turned north from their sojourns In
Dixieland, and are taking final meas
ures of preparation for inauguratipg
a wear which. for uncertainty regard
inc the success of the sport. never has
been equaled At no time since base
ball became firmly established as the
national pastime has so, much DOUBT
centered around the extent to which
it will prosper. The start of the sea-
son, coming just at this time when the
greatest battle of history is raging on
the western front in France; when long
casualty lists are being received from
Gen, Pershing; when the entire nation
is anxiously, though confidently. watch
ing Nyery movement in what may prove
the decisive period of the war. makes
probIematical the amount OF interest
the public will display in professional
base ball.
1t Is an accepted fact. however. that
amusement is a necessity for people
in a time of stress as much as If not more
than under normal conditions, ana tnere
is little doubt but that the diamond
sport is gloom dispenser second s,tho 10
full recreation in the open air TOT
practically unlimited NUMBER, IheFe-
fore the magnates are hopeful.
Although the White Sox ana eianss nus
peat and attain the championship IN
their respective circuits, neither is as
sured Of runaway race. ana tne
changes made in the personnel OF me
other teams is calculated to stimuia.e
interest in these clubs regardless OF
what effect the new blood infused uiti-
mateiy will have on the various teams
In the American League uncertainty
regarding the ability OF the Cnacago
pitching stan to stand the STRAIN OF
offsets the fact that the champions
have escaped almost unscathed in the
draft. The New York Yankees un-
doubtedly have been strengtheneo IN
every department except that OF huri,
ing. while the Washington, cleveland
and Detroit teams are about on par
with last season II not a little stronger.
The Boston Red Sox is team OF great
paper strength. which presents a
problem in obtaining the proper pal-
gregation capable of raising lot OF
ruction IL he can produce team work.
The Athletics appear TO give more
promise than last year. with an ooo
array OF veterans anu yOuh6oSeASs SNs
Mack will be credited with having ac-
complished wonders IL he is able to
boost them out of the cellar.
Although McGraw's pennant winners
of last season have the edge on the
other teams in President Tener's cir
cult, the Cincinnati. st. Louis and chi
caeo teams are expected to furnish
creditable competition. Having in Pat
Moran one Of the smartest pilots In
ba Sc ball at the helm the Phfllies must
be considered as having chance Tor
first division honors, but 1t would seem
that the Braves, Dodgers and Pirates are
foredoomed to .ght it out for the last
three rungs Of the ladder.
The fate of two Of the clubs-Cincin-
natl and Chicago-rests largely on
whether Fred Toney and Grover Alex
ander. will be available to play. Toney
is by far the best hurler In the ranks
of the Reds, and although he has been
involved in court proceedings growing
from a charge that he made false state
ments regarding dependency In his
QUESTIONABLE, the jury which tried the
case disagreed, and pending new trial
it is reported that Toney will play Tor
Mathewson's team. With Toney work
ing every fourth day or so the Reds
would have to be considered serious
rivals Of the Giants for. top honors. and
the same must be said Of the Cubs II
Alexander is not called into the Army.
Following report sent out yesterday