Close to 500 baseball followers jammed into the Lycoming Hotel ballroom to give baseball a royal send-off for 1946, and to meet a fine group of celebrities.

George Trautman, Gabby Hartnett and Bucky Harris spoke to the large assembly as to plans for this season and what to expect from the Detroit-Buffalo organization. After the honored guests spoke the fans enjoyed a motion picture titled, “The World Series of 1945.”

It was revealed last night that the opening day originally scheduled for Elmira might be played in Williamsport. The Grays have the support of the Young Men’s Bureau for Opening Day, and 5,000 fans will be asked to fill the park. J. Roy Clunk announced that he contacted the St. Louis bosses to get the game switched.

John Cambria, president of the Grays spoke briefly and spoke local fandom for “being more than generous under trying conditions.” He promised that the confidence given by Williamsport fans during the war years would be repaid with an improved ballclub this year.

Buffalo’s new manager, Gabby Hartnett, one of baseball’s all-time greats, told a few tales of his time with the Chicago Cubs. Speaking on behalf of the community was W. Van Person, president of the Community Trade Association.

Others introduced during the evening included, Charles Noyes, CTA manager, Ted Laviano, Grays business manager, Williamsport Baseball Association officers Joseph C. Myers, John R. Davis and Irving A. Berndt, John Yokum, president of the Jamestown N.Y. baseball club, Ed Katalinas, former Shenandoah high school footballer and now a Tiger scout, Carl Stotz, president of Little League, Rankin Johnson, former Williamsport pitcher and Don Manno and Harry Cohick, local athletes.

Mayor Leo C. Williamson greeted the guests. Music was furnished by the “Brahams Trio.”