Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1922-04-12

At 9 o'clock this morning, when the
6ox offices opened, the spaces about the
entrances to the ball park at 18th street
and Florida avenue were marked by
long lines of fans. many OF whom
parked there at an early hour 10 sst
first choice of the 4,000-odd seats In
unreserved sections placed on sale. AT
L o'clock, when the gates were opened
and the band concert started. the con-
gestion was somewhat renewed py tne
dash of the pavilion and nela sea-
patrons for places of vantage, but UNI
TIL shortly before the game time the
blue-coated minionS of Capt. keete
Of the eighth precinct had their
hands full maintaining order among
the throngs of humanity.
Ceremonies Before Game.
The President. accompanied by Mrs
party. is scheduled to arrive at the
ball park at 3:15 o'clock, with the
customary flag raising to follow I'M
mediately. Headed by band and &C
companied by company OF hign
school cadets. six honor troops OF
District Boy Scouts and the players
of both the Washington and New
York clubs. Admiral Robert E. Coontz
is to march from the home plate to
the staff in center field where he VIII
chief executive then is to toss out
the first ball, officially inaugurating
the season, Umpire-in-Chief owens
will announce the batteries and the
pennant struggle that will continue
until October l will be on.
Both teams will line up as they
have been in recent exhibition games.
with George Mogridge. veteran south
paw pitcher. paired with Pat Char
rity as Washington's battery. and OPP
posed by Sam Jones. star Highlander,
and Wally Schang for the Yankees.
Rival Pilots Discuss Outlook.
On arriving at the park for final
conference with President Griffith
this morning, Manager Milan spoke
optimistically of the prospects for
his team this year..
I'm well pleased with the condition
of our players, and confident we Will
be able to give the fans of Washing
ton a run|for their money this year."
Zeb asserted. There has been only
one big disappointment Johnson 5
failure, through illness, to get in
shape for service at the opening, but
his arm is in splendid condition.. and
he should be able to start in the box
within a few days. Aside from john
son, the team is ready. I'm confident
we will make a good showing this
season, and hope to get off to e flying
start"
In a pre-game statement obtained
from Miller Higgins. the manager Of
the champion New York Yankees ad-
mitted the first five weeks of the
campaign would be a crucial period
for til !. the loss of Ruth and Meusel
for that period furnishing a big ham
dicap. He opined that with these two
sIuggers in the lineup the team
would be a stronger one than last
year. believing that Shortstop Ev-
erett Scott has rounded it out and
that the acquisition of Pitchers Jones
and Bush. also from Boston. had
greatly strengthened them from
defensive standpoint.
Looks for q Close Race.
TT will be important" Higgins
said, how the club plays during the
hrst five weeks. II it keeps fairly
well up in the race our chances
should improve after May 20. If not,
We will have a tough fight to make
up the ground lost. The Yankees
have trained hard. The pitchers still
are bit backward and the team is
not hitting as well as it can, but it
is only a question of time before We
get started.
Il look for another close race in the
American League. Cleveland, St.
Louis and Washington all figure to
give the Yankees a battle, and in
each case the pitching will play big
part. That is why I am glad I have
= staff composed of Mays, Hoyt,
Jones, Bush and Shawkey.''