The Fargo forum and daily republican. [volume] (Fargo, N.D.) 1894-1957, 1917-05-02
Plan COURSE
OF TRAINING
IN A. A. PARKS
Military Instructions Will
be for Public as Well
as Players.
ALL LEAGUE CLUBS
APPROVE THE PLAN
To be First Put in Operation
in Eastern Cities
OF Circuit.
(By Associated Press.l

Louisville, KY, May "a course
in military training open to the public
as well as the players of the various
baseball teams in the circuit will be
instituted within two weeks, accord
ing to President Thomas ]. Hickey, OF
the American association.
Every club in the league has ap-
proved the pIan," President Hickey
said in making the announcement,
land we hope to have 1t in operation
within two weeks. first in the eastern
cities. and few days later in the
western end of the circuit.
"The war department has been ask
ed to supply a regular army man as
drill master. who will be stationed at
the ball park in each American asso-
citation city. During the time the home
club is engaged in games on its own
grounds, he will drill the players as
well as the public. When the team is
away from home, he will give his at
tention entirely to those citizens who
desire to avail themselves Of his in
struction. Each drill master will be
paid 800 a month by the American
association in addition to his reg
ular army salary, according to present
plans. @
THE ball parks will be open to the
public for drill morning, afternoon and
evening. In this way it is hoped that
everyone, regardless of his hours OF
leisure, who wishes to begin the task
of fitting himself for military service
will be able to avail himself of the
instruction.
Two Objects in Plan.
1.-TWO objects, one with a selfish ele-
ment, and the other having in 1t only
the desire to be of service to the coun-
try, have actuated the club owners in
taking up the plan.
I'm the first instance it is realized
that bail players are not in an occupa-
ton which may be called absolutely
necessary We realize that because or
this circumstance, and the further fact
that they are necessarily in fine phys
ical condition, those among them VINO
would be affected by any scheme or
universal liability to military service
would be among the first called to the
colors.
at has been indicated, that 1t will
be the policy of the war department to
leave undisturbed in their occupations
all men who may be subject to SER
vice. if they are receiving military in
struction. Thus, by instituting mill
tary training, the clubs are guarding
against the loss which might be oc-
casfoned by the sudden calling up OF
the Younger members of each team.
'Tn the second instance, it is felt
that a. public service will be performed
by affording to the citizens of Amer
lean association cities, an opportunity
for learning at least the rudiments OF
military drill.
within a few months hundreds and
thousands of young men probably VIII
be called up for training from Amer
lean association cities. With the in
stitution of military training in the
ball parks, the players will be given
What the average recruit gets in the
first few weeks Of his training, and
even If not called to the colors inn
mediately, his efficiency as a soldier
will not suffer in comparison Win
that of others who may be called
sooner. In addition, he will be keeping
himself in the finest possible trim by
engaging in one of the most healtnrul
sports known"