Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1920-04-22
BILL" AND rags
FIRST IN At GAME
Boy and Dog Hug BIeacher
Door to Insure Seeing
Opening Contest.

Opening Contest.
bill" and rags" were first in
at the opening OF the base ball season
here today.
These two hattened themselves
against the blaacher door at 5th and
v streets at the American League
Ball Park this afternoon. and held the
fort against all comers who tried to
oust them.
The fact that BILL" who was seem
ingly just ten years old. would not
let any one in the line know his last
pame had nothing at all to do with
the fact that to him went the honors
Of being the first Washingtonian to
beat 1t" for the ''old bleachers' to-
day.
Hold Their Places.
1t was not such a tremendous crowd
which assailed the blcachers entrance
to see the first game this afternoon
between the Nationals and Red Sox, in
augurating the local base ball season,
but the crowd was big enough to give
the mysterious "Bill' and his dog
Rags something to do to hold their
place.
Perhaps it was due to rags" that his
ildsteT ulu nOi0 MS place Dy tne gaze
until opened Rags" who claimed the
fox terrier family for his lineage, and
was quite dirty to boot. showed such
capable teeth that his friend and owner.
the aforementioned BILL" stuck to his
place in the sun" like the very best
sort Of glue.
Seemingly the hot sun had melted the
pair tight to the bleacher door, made
OF impossible green boards. for nobody
Uyoo a, 10 lv,h hatu Avn vyhn
the gates were opened at last, "BilP'
shot in first, with Rags close at his
heels. despite the best efforts Of the
ticket man to keep the latter out
Real AVerieaA Spirit.
That's the spirit of America and
Americas base ball." declared an old
man. who was in the line Of those
who purchased bleacher tickets. .iss..
But most Of those in the line, white
and colored. young and old. were SO
intent in getting into the park that
needless ears. The warm sum put
plenty Of pep" into those who as
sailed the bleacher gate. and there
was much pushing and showing after
the line had formed. but everybody
was in the best Of huInor.
The line did not form until SO late
this afternoon that nobody seemed to
have brought lunch. probably depend
ing upon the peanut sellers inside the
grounds. This year, SIS last, with the
time Of calling the game placed at
$3.50 o'clock. the necessity for. early
seemed done away with by many Of
the fans, and az q consequence It was
quite late before the ''early birds"
gathered, ga
"seems as II there ain't as much In
terest in the game as formerly" re-
marked one man in the line. to an
other. ~
~Mueh Interest ~ Ever
You're all wrong" briefly replied
the other. There's just as much in
terest in the game as ever. but the
folks are not gathering as early as
usual. Just for the good and simple
reason that they don't have to. You
wouldn't expect these boys to crowd
around here when they figured that
the game is still several hours of.
And, what's more. more people have
stand tickets today than ever before"
continued the speaker. And there is
more room in the park. But I'll take
the good ole bleachers for mine.
why. I've been watching the first
game from the bleachers for many
first game wouldn't seem like the in
itial performance Of our grand ma
tional pastime unless I stood in this
here line. and then made a break
for the stand and viewed the whole
performance from the garden"
This mans view OF II must have
been the viewpoint of many. for the
bleachers were filled this afternoon,
and many .prospsroNs-looking men
and boys sought out that particular
bunch Of seats in the ball park
Once the gate was opened the crowd
got through quickly. and disposed
itself in the bleachers to the best
advantage.
The crowds at the pavilion and
grandstand entrances. Of course, did
not begin to gather until shortly be-
fore the game. although there was a
continual string of people entering
the grounds from an early hour.