New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1918-04-12
Weather Nav
Balk First Ball
Game To-day
Dodgers and Yankees Are
Scheduled to Open
Season Here
By w. J. Macbeth

Ebbets Field in a game between the
Dodgers and Yankees this afternoon.
There is a possibility that such plan
may not be baked even yet, though
indications at press time pointed
strongly to the great probability of ar
enforced delay for one day at least.
Colonel Jacob Rupert, president Of
the Yankees, is determined not to risl.
his we'll conditioned players lives or
limbs in an ante-season exhibition un-
less the field and weather are both fit
-ba ebalically-to render the mini
mum hazard from field and tempera-
ture.
Colonel Rupert has every reason
not to tempt fate in Brooklyn at This
time, for the spring series, since il
started in 1913, has always been dis
astrous to Yankee fortunes. Usually
these games have been played IN
wintry weather, and on at least two
occasions a ruined pitching staff was
the answer to New York. The matter
OF playing, of course, rests mostly IN
the Judgment of Squire Ebbets, as he
represents the home management.
fine OF $1,000 is the penalty for can
ceiling scheduled spring exhibition
without the consent of the homie club.
1t is safe to say, however. if it comes
TO the issue Of jeopardizing his teams
form or losing thousand the colonel
will kiss the bankroll goodby.
Advance Sale Is Heavy
Both teams will doubtless be pulling
hArd for fair skies and warm weather
n t1Ch
a prevailed one week ago would assure
q wonderfully demonstrative home well
come to the Yankees and Dodgers. The
advance sale has surpassed anything
Of former years, save that Of 1913,
when the Peerless Leader, new to New
York as Yankee manager, helped open
Ebbets Field.
Of far more Importance to the play
ers than the financial end (the boys DO
not cut in or Srring serles) IS the pros
pect Of getting needed exercise Both
teams have been idle the last two
days. The Yankees and Braves were
raincd out Ct the final two games OF
their exhibition tour, and have spent
most CT the time on the train since they
pulled out Of Charlotte, n. {.
The Dodgers We're due to arrive early
this morning from Chattanooga. where
the clements prevented the last con-
test scheduled Tor the joint tour of the
Robins and Red SoX. Travelling under
existing traffic conditions is most tire
some to the nerves, and several days of
gooo training weather in the North
could be used TO the very best ad
vantage for the tuning up toward the
cham piorship races which begin early
next week.
Harry Sparrow, the indefati gable
business manager of the Yankees,
seeming u col reception at Green's
boro, beat il right home to New York
born optimst. but one has TO hear him
eXtol tie virtues Of the 1918 Yankees to
get him right According to the vol
uble Sparrow. Higgins has incul-
Gated real fight and dash into his min
ions, and Yankee hooters are assured
of a run for their money, no matter
what fate may have in store in the Gus
tomary casualty list.
lnficld Much Improved
The addition of Pratt says Spar
low. has simply made our infield.
Pipp seems to have improved 100 per
cent. Baker is on his toes every sec
ord and as dangerous IS he was before
he staked his ribs against the Polo
Grounds concrete. Uuggins will be
able 70 present a ma or league outfield.
no matter IN WnaC COn0ltiOn ArlnanQO
Marsans reports. | DO not believe any
llvai will be able to show a better re-
cciving corps than Higgins has, in spite
Of the fact that all three backstops are
kids
"Of course. Bob Shawkey's enlist
ment impaired the veteran strength of
the Yankee pitching department. Still
this defensive department is not so
badly Off as might BE- expected under
the circumstances and may indeed
prove one of the clubs main fortes if
Eddie Plank decides to take another
whiri in big time. Monroe and Nc
Graw showed a whole lot of promise
IN the games against the Braves, while
Slim Love Is a much-improved south
paw. Thormahler appears to be ready
for a career IN fast company"
A meeting Of the New international
League Will be held in this city this
afternoon. Ostensibly this is to be a con-
ference Of the schedule committee
But it is likely the magnates Will be
on hand in force. 1t is understood
the only vacant franchise will be grant
ed. 1t appears very much as if New
ark is TO be the eighth city whether or
rot James K. Price and his associates
decide to string along with their for
mcr colleagues. Organized baseball, it
IS said, is willing 20 permit the new
Class IA circuit to operate on the old
Federal League grounds at HARRISON
n j.. if tho owners Of Wcidmeyer
Park Uron ont