The Washington herald., 1918-09-03
BASE BALL,
ADIEU!" SAYS
WASHINGTON
Last Ball Thrown Here by
Chief of Staff; Hand
Grenades Next.
CROWDS ENTHUSIASTIC
5000 Soldiers Among
Those Who Cheer JOHN
son, Ainsmith, M'Bride.
BY JOHN A. DUGAN.

III bNi
Thus, with the last ball used,
thrown out by Gen. Pcyton c.
March, Chief of Staff of the
United States army, baseball, the
sport of America, bade its adieu
to the United States yesterday.
Washington, with the rest Of
America, yesterday turned its back
on the national pastime and the
sport came. to an cnd-snuffcd out
by the hand of Mars until peace
shall restore it.
The greatest of games ends be-
cause America must now turn her
every energy to beating the Huns,
enemies OF civilization, OF every
thing that America holds dear
democracy, freedom, fair play,
,And Washington, regrctful amid
Its cheering adieu, turned from the
American League baseball park
sad, indeed, but with dctcrmina-
ton stronger than ever.
"Victory" remains the watch,
word.
5000 Soldiers There.
The sun, warm in its September
brightness, already past its merid-
ian when the game began, looked
down upon 1900 American men in
the khaki of the army engaged in
the bat and ball scramble that needs
no description to Washington fans.
Three Thousand American soldiers
raced for a bat or a ball. symbolicaI
of America, to relieve the sordidness
of warfare in France.
The game began and the descending
sun heightened the shadows OF the
stand across the field where the two
teams struggled. On the field and in
the stands VS. partisan spirit pre-
eminent and desire for victory. but In
the stands the air was electrified with
something else.
Washington was witnessing the last
game Of professional baseball until
Americas victorious sons had smash
cd their way through the lines OF the
Hun to Berlin and victory.
Never In Washington has the base.
ball season ended as It did yester.
day. The afternoon shadows of the
stands had heightened across the
fields and the setting sun witnessed
three thousand American soldiers
standing at attention. as a military
band played The Star Spangled
/ Banner" and twelve thousand per-
sons stood in the stands. bareheaded,
thrilled, happy, yet sad. =
Forget Rivalry.
For eight innings the two teams
battled, their fight interspersed with
the gh-making antics of Nick Alt
rock. Washington piled up eight runs
and Philadelphia could only cross the
plate three times. Then, confident
in their victory, and willing to con-
cede victory. Washington and Phil
adeiphia forgot their rivalry.
Philadelphia came to the bat In the
eighth and faced Nick Altrock. Fac
ing a star whose glory has faded long
since, the Athletic batters were help
less and only one man reached first
Striving tehr utmost to grab the
game ol lit III lHty lntn
came Washington's turn at bat. The
first two men were easy outs. Nick
came to the plate.
To the music of the band he march
ed to the plate. his bat across his
shoulder, and grounded arms. Ap-
parently while Nick and the umpires
were not watching. McAvoy, Athletic
firstbaseman, changed places with
Watson, pitcher. 1t was McAvoy
whom Altrock faced in the box.
though the official score says 1t was
Watson. Once Nick famed the air.
Three times he sent long fouls down
the frstbase line and the fourth time
the ball went fair. far down in right
field.
Hits Two-BaRger.
The hit was q two-bagger. Down
to first Nick raced, and turning raced
for second. Past second base he
flew: with the second baseman hold.
ling the ball he kept on his 1oruney
Before he reached third the ball
was there. Past that bag, too, NicL
pounded, cutting the bag by many
feet On toward home plate the bai
was sped. Nick raced for home, too
With the bail in the hands of Catcher
Perkins, waitingn for him. Nick con.
tinued his race around behind the
backstop and slid into home without
beng touched, and Umpire Billy
Evans. the premier of umpires
waved him safe. That is the story
OF the home run Of Nick Altrock
the like of which has never beer
seen. constituting fitting finale.
Philadelphia came to the bat in tn
ninth to. face the idol Of Washington
fans, Walter johnson. and his batter,
mate. Eddie Ainsnith- They couls
not score. The game was over.
Where hitherto. since baseball cam