Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-04-12
PAN-AMER|CAN DAY
TO Be CELEBRATED
President to Attend Flag
Raising Preceding Mats
Battle With AS.
BY JOHN B. KELLER.

ington's big league base
ball season will get under way here
Tuesday afternoon. 1t will be a
national inaugural because for
seasons past WaShington'S first
game, attended by the President
of the United States has been
looked upon as the formal start of
Americas great pleasure. And for
fandom here it will be a local be-
ginning as well with WaShington'S
Nationals and Philadelphia world
champion Athletics launching the
struggle for the American League
laurelS.
observation-disclosures. long accustomed to
pretentious base ball openings. this year
will wi . ess more ceremonial than usual
before the contest marking the Amer
lean Leagues thirty-frst annual start
as a major circuit. Not only viii the
Nation, as represented by its Chief Elk
ecutive. pay tribute to base ball, but
base ball itself, as represented by the
Nationals and Athletics, will render
homage to that great congress Of ma
tions, the Pan-American Union.
The foremost fan of the United States,
Herbert Hoover, again Will attend the
seasons initial engagement, and sf1ar-
ing the pleasures of the occasion with
him will be dignitaries galore. Mem
bers of the judicial and legislative
branches of the Government, high
ranking officers of Uncle Sans armed
forces. accredited representatives OF
foreign countries will be in the official
party in Griffith Stadium.
With this imposing aSsemblage Will
be the rank and file of fandom, and
following the ceremonies incidental TO
the big business at hand all will settle
in their seats to watch the keen struggle
between the club that captured not only
its league flag, but also the world cham
pionship last season, and the club that
gave it bitter battle to the finish.
Base ball, the great leveler OF hu-
mainly In the United States, will as
sumo its important place in the affairs
Of the Nation.
TT so happens that this year base balls
i inaugural falls upon the day as
signed to the annual celebration
sponsored by the Pan-Amerlcan Union,
and the opening program arranged by
the Washington club includes as a Iea-
ture a gesture Of esteem and good VIII
for our neighbor nations TO the soutn.
Heretofore at the opening game only
the United States flag has been stated
Just before the contending clubs swung
into action. Tuesday the flags OF the
90 other nations in the Pan-Amerlcan
Union as we'll as our national colorS
will be hoiSted with ceremony. Ban
ners to be flung to the breeze VIII be,
in order, those of Argentina, Bolivia,
Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Costa RIGA,
duraS, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama,
Paraguay, Peru, Salvador, San Do
ningo, Uruguay and Venezuela.
AS each flag is raised the Army Band
will play a bar Of the national anthem
OF the country represented and de-
tachnent of Field Artillery will fire
salute Of one gun.
The flag raisings will occur at inter-
walls Of As seconds and as the twenty
first gun is fred, completing Americas
national salute, the colors Of the United
States will be hoisted to the tall flag
staff in the center field of Griffith Sta
dunn.
The flag ceremony will follow imme-
diateiy after the arrival Of the President
of the United States and his party at
the ball park at 2:40 o'clock. The
Washington and Philadelphia clubs will
then be assembled in marching order
and, headed by Secretary Of State Henry
L. StimSon and Clark Griffith, president
OF the Nationals, with the Army Band
providing martial music, will parade TO
the outfield for the lofting of the ban
ners.
Park gates Tuesday will be opened in
the morning at IL 80 o'clock and Gold
mans Band will begin concert at noon
for the entertainment Of the early ar
irving fans. The formal inaugural cere-
monies will be so timed that the game
itself viii get under way at 3 O'Clock.
WASHINGTON may not take the
w field against the Athletics in the
opening game as it has in most Of
Its exhibition contests this Spring. Sam
Vests throwing arm that gave him so
much trouble last season is ailing again
and it is not certain the clever gardener
will be able TO take his place in center
Tuesday.
West complained of his arm in Balti
more Friday shortly before the Ma
tionals played the orioles and did not
enter the game The limb was swollen
considerably and yesterday there was no
noticeable improvement in it. The
trouble has been diagnosed as an in
hammation Of the muscles due TO cold
and these treating Sammy say the arm
may be right in time for the opening
contest. However, Manager Walter
johnson is somewhat worried by Vests
condition. Should West be forced to
idle, Harry Rice, an experienced and
capable gardener, will start in center
field against the AS.
Whether Jack HAYES CT Buddy Myer
will start at second base still is uncer-
tain. Johnson stated yesterday he
would not decide who to send there I'M
til the Cay of the game. Nor has the
pilot definitely picked Washington's
starting pitcher. but in all likelihood it
will be the left-handed Lloyd Brown.
Should Brown go there will be duel of
southpaws, for undoubtedly Connie
Mack plans to use his hurting ace, Rob-
ert Moses Grove.
TLIF BOLTON and Red Hargrave,
~ catchers, who sustained injuries In
the game in Baltimore Friday, are
in good trim once more and available
for duty at any time. Bolton suffered
only a slight ankle twist, while Har-
grave had finger hurt by foul tip
Criffmen Battle
Rochester Today