The Birmingham age-herald., 1921-04-14
M B N w o M E N
 A ND THIN G s

democrat.
 
 But thousands went to Redwood park to see the opening game. It was not Jeffersonian. but Chadwickian celebra- tion, for Henry Chadwick is known the world round as the inventor of the game. and the fans" are like the sands on the seashore in number.
 In Greenwood cemetery, Brooklyn, burying ground full of human interest, and one in which I have often walked and studied the epitaphs of the famous dead, there stands a tall marble slab sur mounted by a huge baseball. On one of it's sides are carved two baseball bats crossed over a baseball glove.
 The small bronze nameplate facing the low mound bears the simple inscription: Tn Memoriam. Henry Chadwick, Father of Baseball Born October, 1924. Died April %, 1SOe." This bronze tablet is in the shape of a baseball diamond. Curious ornamentations, you say, for a tomb. and yet in the case most appropriate ones.
 But more than this. In the center of the inscription are a quill and a foun- tain pen, in memory of the fact that Father Chadwick was the sporting editor of the Brooklyn Daily Eagle from the early days of the quill until the fountain pen came into general use But his sig nature, "Old Chalk much beloved by baseball enthusiasts of his day for more than a quarter of a century, is now but a memory.
 The marble sphere, however mounting the monument signifies more than pIosaic baseball; it is a sphere of the globe symbolizing the fact that the game invented by the man who sleeps beneath the sod has found it's way into nearly every land in all the world until at present it gives more pleasure to more people than any other sport that was ever played by men and boys since ath- letics first came into existence.
 I know that there are some cynics who frown down on the fuss made over win- ming the opening trophy in the Southern league, and make sarcastic remarks about enriching Rick" Woodward and the Birmingham Baseball association, and refuse to go themselves or have any thing to do with trying to get a crowd out. Well, let them remain at home and chew the rag, for they are a very small selves of chance to mingle with great and enthusiastic throng.
 I think it's fine thing each spring to make the opening of baseball, our great American game, day of celebrs- ton in which offices. stores, factories and other businesses stop for an after noon to give every one from the heads to the office boy an opportunity to find their way to the park to let themselves go as they howl themselves hoarse for the home. team. It does them good and heartens the players.
 I am glad, that this year the business men of Birmingham and the members of the various clubs and civic organiza- lions got in behind the gala day with Ia wholeheartedness which. was most gratifying. I had the pleasure of attend irg a meeting in which some of the rep resehtative men of this community were present and showed by their talks that they were backing the movement for all they were worth.
 I think the "city fathers did wis- thing in making the afternoon holiday, and I only wish that the public schools had seen fit to close so that the boys and girls, yes, the teachers, too, might have swelied the gathering and gotten the lift of spirit which always comes to those who sit in the reserved seats, occupy the grandstand, root from the bleach- CTS or back up against the fence. or lounge the grass. There is nothing which Is more invigorating than to share the riotous Joy which comes to those who respond to every play with child-like abandon.
 have never had any sympathy with a certain class of reformers who have prea ched against baseball and done ever ything in their power to cripple the game not only in the big cities but in the smaller ones and even in the villages It grieved me to know that the national sport had been hurt by gamblers who connived with some of the players; but it pleased me to learn how quickly the owners of the clubs acted in the interest of the game. Taken as a whole. it has been freer from objectionable things than any of the great outdoor amusements of the times
 I have konwn something of Birming- ham professional ball from the days when the park was out adjoining the Mountain Terrace Junction, this side of the Country club district. I was in touch with it when it was opposite Mt. Slag, and how I do miss the old games, play CTS and the bunch which used to sit in the left side of the grandstand. Many of them have died or moved away. Only a :, few are seen at Redwood. Harry Jones is one of the old-timers and faithful 1 fan.
 The Birmingham Baseball association has given us the best ball park in the Southern league. and it not only makes an impression on the visiting bal; teams which compose it. but is always com mented upon with agreeable surprise by the big leaguers who come here to play practice games. The Yankees and the Dodgers had their eyes opened when