Evening star., 1918-04-16
HUGE CROWD REFUTES THEORY
THAT BASE BALL HERE IS DEAD
Paid Admissions for Opening Game
Total l3,0 ,065-C Contests Until Further
Notice to Start at 4:30 O'clock.
BY DENMAN THOMPSON.

Although it was not on the cards for
the Nationals to inaugurate the season as
auspiciously as would have been the case
had their initial effort resulted in VIC
tory the size of the crowd which turned
out yesterday to see the opening en-
counter of the 1918 campaign puts
qutetus on the familiar croak that
base ball is dead in Washington" At
no time since the early days Of Clark
Grif1th's regime in the capital has a
throng the size OF that yesterday been
in evidence at the Georgia avenue
stadium. Only the third base side of
the upper grandstand and a small patch
in the far corner of the pavilion ad-
joining were bare. With the seating ac-
comodations estimated at something
more than 10000. the crowd lacked only
about 5000 Of testing the capacity OF
the stands. the Official paid attendance
being 1905.
Nor was enthusiasm lacking. AS is
usually the case in this city whose
cosmopolitan makeup produces many
more rooters for visiting clubs than
the Yankees were well supported. but a
great majority Of the fans were pulling
heart and soul for Washington VIC
tory and on the occasions when Griffs
the front the vocal encouragement
offered was stimulating and inspiring.
For the second contest Of the series
today Harry Harper, the smiling south
paw Of the Grifithian stan. has been
primed. The Hackensack hurler right
now is in better shape than he was at
any time last year and is being counted
upon to stop the murderous attack of
Huggins' brigade sufficiently to permit
the Nationals to lose their connection
with the triple o credited to them in
the standing Of the teams. That he
will have no easy task is forecast by
the fact that he probably will draw as
the Yankees staff-Ray Caldwell. The
telegrapher-twirler is one Of the best
fingers in base ball when right He
was not ready for the opener. but with
ping this afternoon Is expected to be
At to get the nomination for work.
The contest today and every other
day until further notice will be started
at 4:30 o'clock. 1t is the intention of
the management ultimately to have the
games get under way at o'clock. al
lowing a full half hour for those fans
who work In the government depart
offices close In time to see the games
start. The change probably Will be
made after the return of the Griff,nen
from their first road trip, whom the
days will have become sufhcien tly
longer to permit Of at least two hours
of base ball before dusk begins to set
tie.
Although the inability of President
Wilson to attend disappointed thou
sands Of fans. who were hopeful Of q
glimpse of him. there was a notable
gathering of officials from the different
- oF he lac c1ot ~
tive branches of both the federal and
District governments in addition to tie
delegations from the Board of Trade.
Chamber of Commerce and other civic
organizations.
The hoisting of the flag on the staff
in center field. accompanied by the mar
tial strains from the hard-working
band, was an inspiring ceremony, and
there were other reminders of the big
ger game going on across the sea in
Stirriae apaeal of SeERt Il