New-York tribune., 1918-03-19
Fence-Buster
Springs Joke
On Maconites
Town Fails to Identify
Francesca Pizzola as
Great Player
By Wood Ballard

cesco Pizzola came to Macon to-day
about the time the chanticleer began
his vocal reveille to the sun.
Mr.. Pizzola was suffering from
fatigue, and at once sought repose. So
carefully was his identity hidden in his
Latin appcllation that it was around
the noon hour before Macon awoke to
the fact that the redoubtable Ping
Bodie of baseball fame was in town.
George Long, the famous boy editor
Of the South, then hurriedly corralled
a score OF more of Macon's prominent
citizens and rendered Mr.. Pizzola a
formal reception in the foyer Of the
Hotel Dempsey. while band of stroll
ing musicians played in the park out
side. Mr.. Long delivered the address
Of welcome on behalf Of the people of
Macon, and Mr.. Sparrow did like
wise, representing Colonel Rupert, the
Yankees and the fans Of New York.
"What's the occasion for all the cele-
bration?" pipcd Hughie High, return
ing from morning practice at the ball
park.
"Ain't you heard about it, sar?
Mistah Pizizzola's S in town."
"And who is Mr.. Pizzola?"
"Ah dun know who he is, sar, but
he's hyar."
Al Walters Arrives, Too
al Walters, the peppery backstop of
the Yankee aggregation, came along
with Ping. Both came from the Coast,
Bodie from San Francisco and Walters
from near Los Angeles. Bodie looks
fine, ard says he feels finer than he
looks. He has kept in condition during
the winter by bowling and playing ball,
and Is down to weight and seems de-
lighted with the prospects of becoming
member of the New York Americans.
AS an Athletic, under Connie Mack,
Ping was always popular with the fans
at the Polo Grounds, especially with
those who watch the game from the
left field blcachers
Yankee uniform" he said to-day. 81
feel just like l have fallen among
friends"
Bodie has vet to go through the
tormailty Of signing q contract, but
according to Harry Sparrow, it will be
only a formality, as the hard hitting
to terms with the club.
Aside from the fact that the acqui-
sition Of Bodie will add material
strength to the Yankees this season,
his presence with the team is certain
to have a wonderful effect upon the
fighting spirit of the men as team
The Yankees at times have had a ten
dency 70 become discouraged when the
breaks were not coming their way. And
this Encouragement was due in Il
large part to weaknesses in the organ
lzation which could not be readily
ccmedied.
There was big jump in the conf
dence Of the players here when Pratt
came to terms with Higgins and
donncd his uniform. They knew Pratt
to be dependable ball player, and
that he would bolster up an infeld
position which was played with in
different results last year.
Bodie Adds Aggrcssiveness
Bodic will go just as far as Pratt
in adding new life to the Higgins
squad He is aggressive enough to in
sprc the younger players with enthu-
slasm, and his team mates know that
his bat will be big factor in winning
games. Best of all, both Bodie and
Pratt are well pleased over PLAYING
ball with the Yankees. All of the
regulars are now in camp except
Peckinpaugh, ]. Franklin Baker and
A]medo Marsans. These three are ex-
pccted here tomorrow.
While the day was q bit raw the two
usual workouts were held Pratt was
.hc newcomer to the field for the morn
ing practice, and showed that he will
not be long in rounding into condition.
lie has wintered in Florida, and is we'll
advanced toward hs work for the sea-
son. uuggins. Coach O'Connor and
Scouts Bob Connery and Joe Kelley
kept the boys going at lively pace
during the early practice. The pitch
ers were given only light work, but tho
outtlolders were on the jump for over
an hour. The inheld Plpp, Pratt, Beck
and Ward, were n lively bunch. And
one word about Mr.. Pipp-hc is bet
ter than he has ever been. The morn
Ing work ended after Hucgins had
gwen his younrstcrs-Lamar Camn.
Ruell. Hannah, Wick and Ward-a bit
OF strenuous play on the infeld
About the same routine Of practice
was gone through with in the after
noon, only the work was a bit longer
and faster. Both Bodie and Wniters
were on the field and gave proof Of
their statements that they had PLAYED
ball during the winter on the coast
T. viii not take long for either one to
be fit for real contest. Hupgins
added bunting practice to the work
Of the afternoon. All in all tho
Yankees in camp hero are progrcss;nr
about as rapidly and surely az their
most enthusiastic admirers in New
York could wish.
The moving picture men were busy
at the park to-day. All of the players
we're caught at their training stunts.
lzzy Kaplan was pcevcd at the opposi
ton.