The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1904-07-27
SAILORS FORCED
TO PLAY BALL
National Game Made Com
pulsOry in Navy.
PART OF SETTlNG-UP DRILL
Games Arranged Between Rival Crews
Played Every Saturday Ship
Is in Port.

Baseball may be the great American
game. and as such il may appeal 20 all;
but to be obliged TO play ban whether
one wants TO do so or not-wen, that
certainly is a different matter. And
there are a great many men in this
Land of the Free who are forced 10 play
ban without regard 10 their ability or
their tastes.
These uufortunates are the sailors and
marines Of the navy. The national game
has been made part of the 'setting-up
drill" Of the service and the crews OF
the fighting craft are expected TO devote
so many hours TO baseball when the
ship is In harbor, as a regular feature of
the duties Of the day. On any fine after
noon. but particularly on Saturday, the
jaCkiCS and marines of the WarShlES can
be seen marching TO the ball ground.
carrying with them the paraphernalla
of the great game. By the side of the
column marches the bugler.
In Military Fashion.
1t is all done in military fashion. So
many men detailed 10 carry the oats,
masks, balls. and gloves; one little
squad set apart as fielders. another as
pitchers and catchers. a third as UNI
piTes Nothing is left 10 be Wrangled
over on the ball ground. Everything is
cut and dried as systematically and
carefully as though the national game
were one of the important features of
the management of "a great ship of war.
To listen to the conversation Of the
jackies as they swing along toward the
ball ground one would think that some
of them regard the compulsory playing
of the national game as an Unmitigatcd
nuisance. Not all Of the men who en-
list on American ships of war are native
born. and some Of the sailors have never
played baseball In their lives. These
find il a decided hardship 20 be COM
PEELED TO take their place behind the lat
and fan the atmosphere in abortive at
tempts 10 ind the elusive bail. SAID q
German sailor. VINO was vending mis-
way TO the ball field at League Island
navy yard last Saturday:
FOolishness, Not?
''Vot for ISIS dis foolishiness. Shall 7
make worse gunner for not beine able
10 hit der baseball already? 1 hit der
target at gun practice better as any
one on board. Why. den. must L make
sport for der oders by playing ball ven
/ know not how2''
Whatever their feelings about IL. how
ever. the sailors must play ball so 10
the grounds at the navy yard they go
when time for play comes. At the
grounds they are notified by signal from
the Dugle when the games may begin
The 1ackies are divided into squads 50
as 70 form as many mines as possible
As the grounds used for the baseball
'setting-up drill at the League Island
navy yard are very commodious. there
is usually room for all aud plenty 70
spare. The sailors are not allowed to
remove their uniforms. As they 20 about
ship so must they 60 about the ball
grounds during the baseball drill" and
the unusual sight is presented of jackies
flying around the bases with their wide
trousers threatening 20 trip them up at
every step, OF thr pitcher performing
EyrauOns that were never meant for
ankles envelOped in flowing white duck
and OF men accustomed 70 hit a t8re.t
at i've miles perspiriuE prOfusely ia q
vain effort to hit a small sphere at as
many gr1rEe