The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1921-04-21

Florida State League opens today
and it is the ambition of the president
to make it the most successful in his
tory, both from the standpoint OF
sportmanship and finances, by ar
appeal through the Florida press
which l know is actuated only by the
keenest sense of sportsmanship.
The financial end of the game will
be taken care of if every fan and fol-
lower of the game exhibits a spirit of
mutuality, broadmindedness, and
charity towards officials on the field
and the men in uniform Fans and
players are expected to abide by the
decision of the arbters. and the UNI
pires have been selected with care
and Judgment. They are human and
impartial
We want to show the world tha,
the Florida State League has the
greatest reputation in organized base
bail for clean sportsmanship which
means that umpire batting, ragging
rowdyism and gambling must be bar
red. A fan is naturally ardent for his
particular team on player and vet he
must realize that his team or player
is subject to the rules of the game
ard not any individual rule especially
designed for its or his benefit. Or
ganiZed baseball in Florida must be
kept on high plane, During the
season let every fan, every player,
every official of every club, and every
umpire resolve to be an indispensable
cog in the machine determined to play
the game as gentlemen, red blooded
sportsmen. w. W. ROSE.
President Florida State League.
Model EIGHT-lead baseball 1st page
Today is baseball day in Lakeland.
1t could be felt in the cool air of the
early morning, and especially in til
weather indications of fair ant
warmer" for the day Everybody wht
had not already dedicated himself t.
the rites OF fandom became fan
overnight, and at this time the Lake
land population is animated by the
one impulse of getting to the ball
grounds in time to hear the thrilling
tocsin play ball"
indications at this hour are that
record breaking crowd will be on nand
TO root for the Highlanders. Practic-
ally all business places will he closed.
The offer of the loving cup" by the
Florida Metropolis has stimulated in
terest to some extent. although. as one
fan rather disgustedly expressed it,
We don't need nobody in Jackson
vile to hire us to go out to whoop up
our team"
The delegation from Orlando is
large and vociferous. Funny as it
seems to us, they have just as much
confidence in the Orlando team as we
have in Lakeland and no considera-
tions of modesty are preventing them
from showing it right out in meeting.
They began to roll in before noon,
and have: kept coming ever since.
Most of them came by auto
Manager Swacino gave his boys the
once over again today, and found
them all fit. They are showing speed,
mettle, endurance and confidence--in
word, pep. They are not permitting
their heads to be turned with over
confidence, however, knowing that it's
long, long road to the pennant Nor
are they undertaking the Orlando
team which is said to be in perfect
condition, better. equipped to make
scores than ever before.
Subject to last minute changes. the
lineup for today's game as decided at
noon was as follows:
Rolling, 2b.
O'Day, SIS.
Rogers. IF.
Norton, cf ... .-.4-..
Stewart, If.
Swacina, 1b.
Lightfoot, 3b. r. ~',f,r
Donnelly, or
Johnson, 6, l.aT 4.Iq)2a g. ",,.
Valentine or
A parade of Lakeland fans, headed
by the city officials and led by the
American Legion band, will be one
of the features preparatory to the
opening. Resplendent in their new
uniforms, the home team will pre-
sent an appearance to inspire admira-
tion and confidence. 1t is announced
that it, for any reason Mayor .Thomp-
son can not be on hand to hurl the
first ball, Acting Mayor O'Steen will
perform that function.
News from the Field
Other league openings are also at
tracing attention today. Tampa and
st. Petersburg are preparing to crap
pie at Plant Field, while Jacksonville
will defend the honors of the chief city
against Daytona.
The Tampa Tribune, discussing the
opening, says - II ~,
"The outlook for good baseball, and
consequently large crowds, and gen
eral all around good success, is
bright, according to reports from over
the circuit. Jacksonville's debut into
Florida League company will tend to
liven interest considerably, which,
with promotion from Glass D to
Glass c ball and with the elimination
of franchises in cities where interest
was lacking on the part of the fans
should make this one Of the best