New Britain herald., 1928-04-11
QUARTER MILLION TO VIEW OPENERS
Despite Cold 2@,000 Fans Flock
 to Big League Parks Today HORNSBY IN OLD NEW YORK
Big Crowd on Hand to See What His Bostonians Will Do Against His Former Teammates-Other Teams Play to Big Stands, Also

1 By the Associated Press.
 Cold weather, basebalrs nemesis, cast a chill about a majority of the eight parks for the major league openings today but the enthusiasm of impatient fans was such that shortly after noon 25o, GOO customers were ready to move to the battle fields. The cold, raw weather. with heavy clouds in eastern cities, sug- eested that the warming up of players would be only a gesture.
 Washington fans who participated in an advance opening yesterday un- der unfavorable weather conditions wrapped themselves in blankets and indications today were that fans in several other cities would follow the capital example.
 Officials Busy
 Governors and mayors were ready to toss out the first ball and the presidents of the two leagues and Commissioner Landis were adding touch of distinction to three cities.
 Thirty-five thousand spectators were expected to see the Yankees and Athletics on their way at Phla- delphla In spite of penetrating cold. Mayor Mackey stood by to throw the first ball to Lefty Grove, pitching choice for the Athletics Pennock or Hoyt were slated to do the throwing for the Yankees. President Bar nard was on hand to See his second opening game in two days.
 Cool In Detroit
 Clear cool weather greeted the st, Louis Browns and Tigers at Detroit with seil-out expected to pack 35,o00 to 10000 fans in the park. Earl Whitehill and Sam Gray were nominated as the pitchers.
 Twenty thousand attendance was an advance estimate at Boston in spite of cold , weather. Governor Fuller was named to toss the first ball with Mayor Nichols raising the flag. Wiltse for Boston and Mar berry for Washington were the scheduled pitchers.
 It was warmer but cloudy in Chi cago. where Lyons for the White Sox and Chle for Cleveland remained pltchlng choices. Manager Ray Schalk, who has made catching the fir game an institution, was forced by bad arm to give way to Moe Berg, the infielder-catcher linguist.
 Boston at New York
 Cold weather could not keep the faithful away from the Polo Ground to see what Hornsby and the Braves could do against Hogan and the Giants. It was expected 45,00O spec tators would show up before Mayor Walker made the season opening official Larry Benton was ready to pitch against his former mates. The Braves had Bob Smith and Kent Greenfield "warming up"
 Hopeful Brooklyn fans numbering some 20,000. moved on to Ebbets field to pass judgment on the Robins against the Phillies. Jess Petty was selected to oppose Alex Ferguson on the mound.
 Under an overcast sky Commits sioner Landis and 34,00O othere were expected to see the Cubs storm the citadel of the Cincinnati Reds. Root, the Cubs ace, was named to match curves and fast balls with Luque. the rejuyenated Cuban pitcher. Governor Donahey was to pitch one ball.
 The sun IS shining at St. Louis and although the weather was crisp capacity crowd of 35,000 was ex- Dected to see the Pittsburgh inya- sion. President Feydler was to at tend. kremer for the Pirates and Haines for the Cardinals were pitch ing selections.