Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1917-08-26
LEAGUE PENNANT MAY
DEPEND ON PLAY
OF GRIFFITH'S TEAM
Continued from First Paee3

packages on different ships so that all
would not be lost in case the boat
carrying them was sunk In addition
one or more cases containing similar
supply have been sent to various Army
posts and camps, including Camp Ord
at Fort Myer. Company at Fort
Washington. engineer corps encamped
down the river. the District of Column
bia Medical Corps, the naval militia
men that sailed abroad from New York
recently. the camp Of the Ohio National
Guard at Columbus, that at Syracuse.
y. Y. and to Fort Riley. Kan, and
Fort Benjamin Harrison. Ind. Ar
ed at Battle Creek. Mich. and other
points now are being made.
A crowd that filed nearly every seat
in Comiskey Park turned out to pay
tribute to Manager Griffith. the orig
inator OF the movement to supply base
ball paraphernalia for use of the men
''on the, other side honor the officers
and men of the United States Army and
Navy. present to the number Of nearly
10000. and increase by contributions
the fund that Is to provide sport and
recreation for the 'Sammies" abroad.
incidentally. they were there to see a
ball game between the Chicago and
Washington teams, but the contest was
incidental to the rest of the doings.
Those who thought enthusiasm ran
rampant Thursday. which was Mill
tary day" when the Sox and Senators
were put through drills in the compete
tive program that Is to decide the win
ner Of the $500 prize offered by Presi-
dent Johnson of the American League.
were startled by the manner in which
the fans greeted Griff and the uni
formed men in the service Of Uncle
affair than city series game and
closely approached in magnitude and
enthusiasm world series contest
Just how much money was collected
for the bat and ball fund will not be
known for several days. but each one
of the 1929 persons who paid their
way into the park. this number being
exclusive of the military. was given an
opportunity to contribute. soldiers pass
ing through the stands and collecting
the envelopes issued for the purpose
The paying patrons alone formed the
largest crowd the Griffmen have played
before this season.
Following the patriotic ceremonies.
which consisted of hosting old Glory"
to the top of the flag staff in right field
and exhibition drills by a company of
infantrymen and large squad of
young boys from the Glenwood School.
Manager Griffith made a sort of grand
triumphal tour of the field in an auto
mobile preceded by a band, the pro-
cession stopping at the home plate,
where. with the players of both teams
Inca up, 1orfnal presentation OF seven
teen packages of base ball utensils was
made to local organizations of soldiers
and sailors who shortly are going
abroad. Manager Griffith. with Few
well chosen remarks" suggested that
the packages be not opened until the
men got abroad. His words could not
be heard in the stands. but his gestures
were emphatic. What he said was this:
With these. balls and bats go the
best wishes of thousands of red blood
ed Americans who contributed money
80 that you boys may indulge in the
grand old game during your spare
hours back of the trenches in France
1t has been said that base ball civilized
the Filipinos. When YOU get to Ber-
lin turn these balls and bats over to
the Huns. Maybe base ball will help
to civilize them"
All of the seven bands present tuned
up after Griff had said his say and the
civilian spectators Joined with the
soldiers and sailors in cheering, the
equal of which was not heard in the
ball game hat followed, even though
the s. downing the GriImen, led
by fifty Walter Johnson, gave
them plenty of opportunity for en-
thusiasm.