The Washington times., 1931-04-14
CROWD EARLY
To FILL
PARK
Geoue Denbaugh Resumes Golf Duties at Indian Spring Gu

CONTINUED from Page -
He is rs, and attends every
game that the Griffmen play at
home.
Yet He's Pessimistic
Since 1912 he has been the
first fan admitted to every open
ing game. Despite his loyalty,
Nightingale is peSsimistic over
the pennant chances of the team.
He said today that Philadel-
phia would win the pennant
again unless the Griggs improve
their hitting.
just as the gates at the ball
park swung open to admit the
first fans, an awning over the
refreshment stand burst into
flame.
"Uncle Billy" Smith, in charge
of the stand, and several of his
assistants quickly poured bucket
of lemonade on the flaming avn
ing and extinguished the blaze.
The rush of fans to get to
their seats was not even diverted
while the awning famed.
Baseball Shared HOnOrs
The business of baseball was
forced to share the honors Of
the day with the pomp and cir
cunStance which encircles Wash
ington as the National Capital.
Early activities at the ball park
were centered around preparation
for the ceremonies with which
the season starts.
Flags of the 81 republics Of
America we're draped around the
ball park, it having been decreed
that for this day baseball should
be not only the national game
but the international symbol of
friendship among the nations of
the Western Hemisphere.
Flag drapers of the Pan-Ameri-
can Union were busy at the cen
ter field flag pole preparing flags
of the republics to be raised just
before the opening of the game.
AS each flag is hauled to the
top of its staff, the Army Band
will play the national anthem of
that country and a field gun
from Fort Myer will fire salute.
EynOn in Charge
Edward B. Eynon, secretary of
the Washington club, took charge
of arrangements early this morn
ing, directing the placement of
decorations and the installing Of
thousands of extra seats pre-
pairing for the throng.
In the club office telephones
rang continuously as telephone
operators murmured:
"I'm sorry but all of the re-
served seats are sold out"
Early in March provident fans
started their purchase OF tickets
with the result that today only
few pavilion seats were available
in addition to the "bleacher"
seats in the field.
Old StandbyS in Line
Hours before the bleacher seats
were put on sale the old standbys
of baseball gathered in line.
Freckled-faced Daniel Ehrlich,
- wears old, of 300 I st. S. E., was
the first in line. Just behind him
was another 12-year-old, Daniel
Sauls, of 35 Todd P. N. E.
Both boys were equipped to
spend the day at the park, each
having a large bag of luncheon.
Neither of the kids, however, were
very frank about how he evaded
the necessity of going to school.
But if the President and Cabinet
members can ditch" the affairs
of nation, why can't a couple OF
kids play hockey for once?
The sight of the lunches carried
by the youngsters did not dismay
"Uncle Billie" Smith, the hot-dog
king of the ball park.
Has IS Assistants
"Uncle Billy" opened for busi-
ness early in the day with Is as
sistants. They had few items
of food which they we're willing
to let the spectators MUNICH for
small consideration.
The menu included 500 dozen
rolls, 10000 hot dogs, $4,000
bottles of soft drinks and innum-
cradle peanuts. "Uncle Billy" also
was ready to ispose of about TO-
900 score cars.
The first straw hat of the sea-
son mae it's appearance upon the
head of E. Thomas, who came all
the way from San Francisco to
disport it at the opening game
Thomas arrived at the ball park
early, but was forced to carry his
cleaning new panama into the
bleachers because of the sell
out"
Emil Haysman. ground keeper
at the park, had the diamond in
excellent shape long before the
Griffs and Athletics trotted out
for advance practice shortly
after noon. Kaysman had a
dozen assistants working at the
Identification job, and was as
pround of the new green paint on
fr &c