New-York tribune., 1918-04-25
YankS Raise Service FLAG
After S0ldier-SQil0r Drill

The parade of the army regulars
from Governors Island and of the
naval militia from Pelham Bay train
ing station prior to the opening game
of the American League baseball sea-
son at the Polo Grounds yesterday
afternoon was a particularly pleasing
and soul-stirring spectacle. The pres
ence of Brigadier, General William A.
Mann, commander Of the Department
of the East, and his staff in a box close
soldiers and sailors to put the very
best they had in their exhibition.
The respective representatives of the
two branches of the service marched
through the left field entrance in col
umns of squads, the soldiers leading
the way, to the accompaniment of
on a platform in behind third base
Half way down the field the soldiers
effected a columns right" movement,
then columns left, from which forma-
tion they swung out into company front.
Two succeeding left turns took them
by the generals box in perfect align
ment. The soldiers followed the same
formations and suffered none in COM
parison with the regulars.
Marching back down the field the SOL
diers were drawn up in. battalion front
them. Meanwhile, the respective teams
had joined in the parade, the Yankees
following the soldiers and the Sena-
tors following the sailors. The mill
tary drill Of these two teams-a trib-
ute to Lieutenant Colonel Til Huston,
now in France-stood the players in
good stead. They marched with mill
tary precision, effecting the turns in
military style both from squad and
platoon fronts. Indeed, the players
did so we'll that they seemed parts Of
the details, in strange uniforms.
Service Flag Hoisted
After the soldiers and sailors had
taken their places for the flag raising
c. emones the two teams broke away
and marched to the halyards. As the
Stars and Stripes and the Yankee SER
vice flag with eleven stars peeped over
tachmcnts at present arms" Franks
band struck up the national anthem.
The soldiers and sailors marched
around the field again until they had
reached the entrance to the left field
stands provided for them. The two
teams marched back to their respec-
tive benches. General Mann tossed out
the ball, and the first home game of
the Yankees was on the way to sue
cessful conclusion.
Though the Yankees showed plenty
Of driving power there was not the
dash and spirit to Huggins's men that
most Of the fans had been led to ex-
pect from. accounts of the teams de-
meanor in other cities. Doubtless it
was just one Of those days when the
club looked it's worst.
There was plenty of good baseball
play mixed in with a great deal that
was simply fierce. Both sides looked
both great and putrid in turns. But
for Washington's unexpected rally in
the last two innings the contest would
have been ordinary to say the least
Little Frank Gilhoolcy blew himself
to Il couple Of rather cheap singles off
Doc Ayrcs. He scratched the first off
the Doctors glove. The next one was
punk Texas Leaguer which Shotton
evidently did not sec at first. At least
Bert hcsitated couple n seconds be-
fore starting for the ball
The right field patrol was particu-
iarly troacherous. Gilhooey had n
time Of it atanding up. He pulled n
circus catch off Shotton while on his