The Washington herald., 1921-04-12
HARDING, PERSH1NG
CABINET MEMBERS,
TO ATTEND OPENER
Laddie Boy Only Real
Guy Missing When Mats
Open Tomorrow.
By JACK NYE.

itself proud on the opening day
Of the baseball season, but take It
from, Clark C. Grifith. who is ex-
fremely well up On such matters,
the celebration to be staged tomor-
row afternoon on Georgia avenue
will be the greatestSever.
New York will have more peo-
pie. but what do mere numbers
mean? Nothing. except q wad Of
juicy cash.
VIII President Harding toss out
the first ball At the Polo Grounds?
He viii not
WIN Gen. John ]. Pershipg par
ticipate In the nag raising at the
Polo Grounds? Not a chance.
VIM there be a flock of Cabinet
officers and Senators, and SO on.
camped around in the boxes at the
Polo Grounds to add color to the
occasion? Absolutely no.
These are all headline acts To
appear exclusively in Mr.. Grifnth'5
ball park. II the Gotham fans think
the appearance of one Babe Ruth
Is suficient to offset all these lumi-
naries. they have another think
coming.
In view OF all these facts, Mr..
that the American League opening
here will eclipse all records.
Expects Record Crowd.
The biggest crowd on record is
expected. Ten thousand grandstand
and box seats have already been
sold. Nearly 10000 more seats will
be available tomorrow. Part of
these will be in the pavilions. The
others will be provided by an
especially constructed row of emer-
gency seats in right and left field.
They will have three tiers and
ought to be able to take care of
5000 persons In addition there il
the Jury box. which will be filled
for once and standing room may be
At q premium.
seats are gone" says President Grif-
nth. That's wrong. The grand
stand Is sold, but the pavilions and
emergency seats will be open to all
eomers. There won't be any trouble
getting q seat"
The usual band will be on hand
and will start its program at l
o'clock and continue until the game
DeglnS At S:3O-
The nag raising is expected to be
. big feature. Gen. Pershing was
more than glad to accept the invi-
tation to march to the fiagpole with
the band at the head of :ne Two
teams and aid in unfur'ing Old
Glory to the breezes.
Holding Out on Laddie Boy.
President Harding and his party
will occupy two boxes. Mrs. Hard
Ing VIII be with the Chief Execu-
tive. as well his secretary, George
B. Christian. Cabinet officers and
Senators will crowd in the rest of
the space Laddie Boy will prob
ably be the only member of the
househofd to remain at the White
House-He and the cops will have
a lonsssne afternoon.
TherRresident and his party are
due tor8rrive promptly at 3:15. They
will iimmed" by the camera
men, q Course.
So much for the opening program.
While,sRresident Grifith was sit
ting in his brand-new ONCE yester-
day, talking about the plans for the
opener, George Mcbride was put
ting his men through a brisk prac-
tice on the perfectly groomed field.
They showed a lot of pep, despite
the chill in the air.
Manager Mac is still undecided as
10 who will pitch the opening game.
The choice lies between johnson.
Erickson and Zachary. II Barney
warns up well and says he would
like to start, he'll have his wish.
But the best bet now Is that Erick-
son, who is in grand shape, will
face the Red Sox when the gong
sounds.
Erick appears to be right. His
sidearm shoots have proved highly
effective during the spring training
season, and he was the only Ma
tional pitcher to get a decision over
the Giants He bianked them for
seven rounds and allowed but two
hits II all Of the sIabbers were
as ready to go as Erick the out
look would be far more rosy.
sha.ks at Third.
Hank Shanks, with his usual pep,
will be stationed at third base when
the curtain rises. The worlds
greatest utility player is looking
better than ever. He is hitting like
fend and fielding with the best
Of them. In addition he is always
on his toes and gives the infield
ldded life. Hank will stay on third
Tor some time to come, according to
all indications
The rest of the team will be the
same that has been seen against
the Giants, with Lewis, Rice and
Milan in the outheid; Judge, Harris
and o'Rourke in the infield. and.