A MAJORITY OPINION ON BASEBALL BY THE CHIEF JUSTICE OF THE UNITED STATES

Like millions of Americans who became instantly and forever qualified as experts the moment they watched their first game, I am an expert at baseball. My credentials also include some sandlot, left-handed pitching and outfielding as a youngster and tossing out the ball at countless opening days of the Pacific Coast League. Finally, and most important, I love the game. These are my qualifications for extending greetings to the fans, the players, the coaches—yes, and to the umpires—at this great time of the year, the beginning of another season of baseball.

Sport is an important part of all our lives, and relaxation and a change of sights and sounds are important too. A baseball game is a wonderful way to get away for an hour or two, to get into another world for an afternoon or evening. Besides, it's a great game.

As one who has some familiarity with the role of umpire, I am reserving personal judgment on the outcome of the season just beginning. I want to see the evidence. This I propose to do at various intervals in Washington's Griffith Stadium. Manager Chuck Dressen reportedly has some good-looking rookies on hand, and there are a couple of California boys I want to watch. Until such evidence has been fully studied, I am withholding judgment. Meanwhile, however, I can speak for millions of us fans (all experts) and we are unanimous. Our order to baseball is: Play ball!

TWO PHOTOS