The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1927-04-12
Flag Raising and Booster
Stunts PreCede Game.
The Batting Order
BY Eddie Ash

Baseball spring training days are
over and this afternoon the diamond
pastimers began battling the cham
Dionship percentage table. For it was
opening day once more. The sport
world clock made another complete
revolution and thrills of the past
we're forgotten as fans eagerly
awaited some new excitement at
Washington Park.
st. Paul and Indianapolis, keen
rivals for years, were matched up in
The inaugural here and the usual
capacity throng was expected to be
on hand to view the struggle.
This is the twenty-siXth year of
campaigning in the American Asso-
citation and at least six of the eight
clubs rate themselves pennant con-
tenders, And Saints and Indians
are included in the front-runner
class.
Views of Managers
Manager Allen of st. Paul firmly
believes his team is stronger than
last season and Bruno Bethel, new
pilot of the Indians, has similar
views regarding the home club. The
locals assert they are stronger on
the infield and behind the bat than
the 1926 starting outfit, and only re-
Gently strength was added in the out
field. Moreover, Manager Bethel
figures his pitching staff Of high
quality.
It is Betzel's first experience as
manager and his friends in Celina,
Ohio, his home. organized roofing
force to visit Indianapolis today to
give him rousing send-otf.
The Indians finished second under
Ownie Bush the past three years
and Owner Smith is giving the new
pilot all help possible in order to en-
able him to meet or better the pace
set by his predecessor.
Fans Pull for Bruno
With Louisville several seasons as
star second baseman, Bruno is
well-known to Washington Park
patrons and he will not want for
encouragement from Indianapolis
rooters.
Indications pointed to a right
handed pitching battle this after
noon when the important event got
under way at 3. Bill Burwell, pop
uIar twirler, drew the mound as
signment for the Indians and Paul
Xahniser. former major league
finger, was slated for the Saints.
The downtown parade that usually
goes with opening day was dis
pensed with this spring, owing to
lhe confusion it causes in the city's
uaf1ic. But there were to be some
milar ceremonies at the ball park
roced,ng the game.
Mayor Duvall was to endeavor to
ch the honorary first ball, a squad
marines was to direct the flag
ng and few other stunts were
enliven the gala affair, while a
Land did its best to kick up enthu-
siasm. Gates opened at 1890.
Duvalls opening pitch was to be
witnessed by his employees, because
city hall was closed in honor of the
occasion.
Last Pennant in II
indianapolis has not won a pen
nant since 1917, though close at
times. In fact the Indians were in
first place in 1924 until the final
weeks play. when the Saints, the
visiting team here today, defeated
them in series and captured the
league flag. other pennants won by
Indianapolis were in 1902 and 1908.
Bush came close; perhaps Bethel
can go over. Ambitious, aggressive
and smart in baseball, Bruno is well
equipped to lead a winner.
Washington Park officials ar.
ranged to seat about 10000 for the
opener. Only the boxes and the one
regularly reserved section in the
grand stand, between home and first
base, were sold in advance.
Some OF the civic and fraternal
organizations having blocks of seats
reserved this afternoon follow: Pas.
senger Traffic Club, Elks Club, Scot
tish Rite, Rotary Club, North Side
Lions Club, Indianapolis Traffic
Club, American Business Mems
Club and Gatling Gun Club.