Arizona republican., 1919-04-20

labored to improve the strength of their forces and through the team managers have purchased or traded players in order to round out formidable combi- nations.
 How well they have builded only time can demonstrate. but viewed from the standpoint of the present, it would appear as though both the National And American circuits were stronger and better balanced than has been the case in recent seasons. Before the pennant races are well under way it is expected that the last of the diamond stars now serving with the forces, either at home or abroad, will have doffed the khaki for baseball flannel. Many will re-appear upon the field with a glamor heretofore lacking and the fans welcome will be backed by q sentiment containing something more than the admiration due the player for his playing ability alone
 Mingled with faces of returning vet erans who have won honors on the battlefields of Europe, as well as on the diamond, will be seen those of new i corners bringing the speed, agility and zest of youth to the national game From the training camps of the south land come reports of the sparkling play of several recruits who promise to quickly establish themselves in the hearts of the fans as a result of their unusual skill with bat and ball. It is this constantly changing pie ture of personnel, playing ability and combat, tempered with the sentiment and traditions of baseball, that has es- ! tablished the sport so firmly through 1 out the nation. Old stars may fade; | youthful phenomenons leap to the gen. ith in their places; and club owners come and go, with little apparent ef- feet upon the popularity of the game For many years baseball has held its own through prosperous and depress- i ing seasons, because it is baseball and Americas game Tradition had weld ed the sport into an integral part o1 the nations life.
 Chicago leads in the number of championships won, as the teams of that city have accounted for eleven pennants. Boston is second with nine ! and New York third with eight. Of the l thirty-seven pennants won by cities now represented in the league. eastern clubs have captured twenty two and i western teams fifteen.
 i Opening Game Wednesday This year the clubs face a shorte, season and a pennant race of IA, games in place of the usual 164. Whel the teams take the field on Wednesday with Chicago at St. Louis; Clevelan, at Detroit; Philadelphia at Washington and Boston at New York, on tn American league circuit, and Brooklyn ~at Boston, New York at Philadelphia Pittsburg at Chicago and St. Loui at Cincinnati, in the National league the 1919 season will be about a weel later in starting than has been tn case in past years.
 What effect, if any, this will hay upon the pennant races. is uncertain at this time. Managers and magnate hope for settled weather and expec that if normal temperature condition prevail, the teams will be able to pla fast ball from the start. Close strug gles, with the lead shifting frequently should make the baseball season 0 1919 one of the brightest periods in tn annals of the game.
 The Opening Games
 National League Brooklyn vs. Bos ton at Boston; New York vs. Philadel phia at Philadelphia; Pittsburg vs. Chi cago at Chicago St. Louis vs. Gin cinnati at Cincinnati.
 Special opening scheduled for Apr 19.
 American League-Chicago vs. $ Louis at St. Louis.
 Cleveland vs. Detroit at Detroit
 Philadelphia vs. Washington {
 Washington; Boston vs. New York {
 New York.