The Washington times., 1938-04-18
Crowd Streams
Through Gates
AT Stadium
GOOD HUNDRED
LaSt-Minute Fans Mill
For Stray BIeacher
Reservations
By KIRK MILLER

By KIRK MILLER
GRIFFITH STADIUM, April 10.
AS though by prearrangement be-
tween the baseball and weather
gods, Frightening skies prevailed
over Griffith Stadium for the first
time in two days, as at II o'clock
the gates swung open to admit the
early arrivals for Washington'S
1888 inaugural between the Griff.
men and the Philadelphia Ath-
letics.
For two hours previous thereto
groups of intent fans had fore
gathered in the runway leading up
from Georgia Avenue, anxious to
take their seats and bide the hours
until the President of the United
States should arrive to throw out
the first ball and thereby give
governmental blessing once again
to the national pastime.
Outside the bleacher entrances
on Fifth Street an eager throng Of
50-cent patrons foregathered.
STORM PORTALS
Despite the fact that for the
first time in the history of base
ball openings here the bleachers
were reserved, the crowd, through
habit, stormed the portals early.
Around the single ticket wicket,
which was open at the club bust
ness office, intense knots Of fans
milled with the desperate hope
that a stray ticket, or possibly a
pair Of them, might be turned
back.
Johnny Morrisey, in charge Of
the reservations, managed to keep
them in good humor and in most
cases compromised by selling them
one of the $500 bleacher reserva-
tons which did not 60 on sale
until 9 o'clock.
Within the business office, Sec
rotary Eddie Eynon was trying to
answer two telephones at once, ex-
planning to all callers that he was
bereft Of tickets in the grandStand
proper and has been for the past
three weeks.
FIELD IN CONDITION
Groundkeeper Emil Haisman,
aided by an open winter, had the
playing field in what he described
as the best condition in years. A
fine stand of closely-cropped grass
surrounded the Scraped infield,
and the chalk-white base paths
stood out in bold relief against
the green.
There was Just enough Of a
breeze sweeping across the setting
to ripple the flags which were
moored to the balustrade at the
upper grandStand boxes.
Especial decorations bedecked
the presidential box just behind
the Washington dugout, where the
flag of the Chief Executive was
draped Immediately in front of
Mr.: Roosevelt's seat, thanked by
gold-fringed American flags. The
hand-rail outlining the box was
wrapped in red, white and blue
bunting.
Manager Bucky Harris arrived
at the park at 11:15 and with
President Clark Griffith visited
the playing field where the tar
paulin was ordered rolled away.
DAATn crDTvnS TYn
Meyer Goldman's Military Band
took up its position behind the
batting cage at 11:40 proceeding
to entertain the early arrivals with
stirring strains from brasses and
reeds. Now and again the sun
ducked behind a lingering cloud,
but only momentarily, as there
was every indication the day
would remain definitely clear.
The hot dog and soft drink ven.
doris were enjoying a business
boom among the. early corners. A
colorful note to the gay opening
day setting was added by the nat
tily dressed ushers, uniformed in
suits Of blue, topped off with red
leather caps.
outside their locker room be-
meath the grandstand, Umpires
Moriarty, MCGOWAN and KollS
paused before dressing to chat
with players they had not seen
since last season, proving that
camaraderie between umpires and
players is not entirely unknown off
the field.
At IL o'clock Lieut.. w. T. Storm,
Of the Eighth Precinct, headed a
squad of $50 policemen onto the
scene, posting them at intervals
throughout the park with direc-
lions to keep the playing field
clear.