BASEBALL SEASON COMMENCES TODAY AS TEAM FACES B.U.

Having had but a few days of outdoor practice in which to mould into shape, the Harvard baseball nine will definitely put the lid on winter this afternoon when it takes the field against the Boston University team. The game, which is scheduled for 3 o'clock at Soldiers Field, is the opening tilt for both teams, and marks the eighth successive year in which the two nines have commenced their seasons together. Of the annual season opener contests since 1923 Harvard has won five. Boston University two, while one game was called off on account of poor weather.

Kiernan Only Newcomer

Coach Fred Mitchell will in all probability call on Charles Devens '32 to fill the pitching berth this afternoon with W.H. MacHale '31 ready for relief work, while S.L. Batchelder '31 is to be the starting backstop. Of the nine men, starting, all but one are lettermen, a fact that may lend an element of coordination which indoor practice has not allowed. With a veteran battery available, it is also possible that Mitchell will depart from his usual custom of working two pitchers four or five innings in the opening game, and will have Devens go the entire distance.

Mitchell's plans for the season call for Captain E.H. McGrath '31 to play second base, but injuries to the outfield department of the squad have caused him to play the Crimson leader in center field, his place in the infield being filled by R.D. Kiernan '33, the only Sophomore and non-letter man in the starting lineup.