New-York tribune., 1918-03-28
Yankees Game
With Soldiers a
Happy Farce
Baker and Bodie Star After
Eleven Runs in the
First Inning
By Charles A. Taylor

MACON. Ga, March 27.-Seventeen
thousand soldiers saw the Yankees de-
feat the baseball team of the 124th In
fantry at Camp Wheeler, near this city,
to-day by score of II to 4. 1t was
not much of ball game, but it was
played under conditions and surround
1ngs that were most interesting and
novel. Probably never before had con-
test on the diamond been waged in so
impressive a setting.
Home Run Baker has swung his big
bat to the accompaniment of the cheers
of far greater host than acclaimed
his appearance to-day. But on the
ether hand Baker has never before
faced the pitcher to the accompaniment
of myriad bugle calls, whose notes
swept across the diamond from far and
near throughout the vast tract that
forms the site of Camp Wheeler
Ping Bodle has played in the outer
garden from coast to coast, and
thousands have laughed and jeered at
his antics and general all-round fool
lshness But until to-day Ping never
had such an appreciative audience. One
of the many camp bands toNt a fancy
to Ping right at the start of the game
and thereupon stationed itself in left
field few PAGES back of where Ping
stood. Whatever Ping did, and he was
busy doing things all the afternoon,
the musicians blared forth some ap-
propriate Jazz airs.
Happy Despite Defeat
1t was a great day for Baker and
Bodie, and they both made the most of
the occasion. In fact, these two turned
the gloom that settled over the sol
ders after the Yanks had scored eleven
runs in the very first inning into hi
larious JOY. 1t was a holiday for the
camp, and, with the soldiers, wives,
mothers, sweethearts and friends ali
on hand to join in the festivities, it
would have been a shame, indeed. to
have such an insignificant thing as
ball game mar the enjoyment. Baker
and Bodie saw to it that there was no
marring.
As hinted before. that first inning
ended the game, but it started the fun.
The question confronting Miller Hug
gins was how he could play nine in
nings and score eleven runs an inning
and get his men back to Macon in time
for dinner. Hug was plainly worried
over the problem until Baker and Bodie
got their gray matter working.
Baker pounded out four hits in the
game. He .'ust couldn't resist the i'm
pu-se to hammer away with all his
might, but as soon as he reached
base he would wait until the pitcher
had the ball and then walk slowly but
majestically toward the next station
The infie.der would naturally shout
warning to the pitcher, who would
wheel and bring back his arm to throw.
whereupon Baker would make a quick
dash for the nearest bag.
The soldier pitcher was usually so
fustered that his toss would go just
enough astrav to enable the Trappe
farmer to get to his destination ir
safety. If the pitcher did happen to
make a good throw the baseman would
become so befuddled he would drop the
ball. Baker was not nabbed until he
had got away with his comedy four
times, and in each instance he was re.
warded by storm of applause from
the soldiers and their wives, mothers
and sweethearts.
Works Bunt Backward
The stunt pulled by Bodie which
made the biggest nit was when he
worked the bunt play Backward Ping
dropped the ball down the first base
line, and then, when the pitchers back
was turned to field the ball. the Cali
fornian dashed to third The pitcher
threw the ball to first, but there was no
Ping there, and he swung around to find
his would-be victim daashing for sec
ond. The pitcher hurled the ball to
head him off, but Ping kept going until
he reached frs. via second.
Bodie, as finishing touch. borrowed
a few paragraphs from Nick Altrock.
He performed the tight-rope walking
act along the foul line as he scored
with his bogus run. Pings band blared
and the soldier host put. forth its biz
gest noise effort of the day.
The closing scene staged as the ball.
players were leaving the camp in their
autos was one that will long linper.
Hundreds of squads of soldier bows
could be seen marching to their quar-.
ters in the various parts of the i'm
mense camp, drum, corps innumerahIe
and many bands adding to the beauti
ful and impressive panorama. The
Hugglns clan was duly appreciatiye Of
1T all, and if the Camp Wheeler lads
go "over there" they, too, will doubt
less carry with them happy remem-
brance of the afternoon when Home
Run Baker, Ping Bode and their mates
tried to amuse them on their holiday
AS for the statistical data on the bali
game. 1T Is here offered: