Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1919-09-11
WAR HEROES GIVEN
BID TO BALL PARK
Washington Team Will Play
Host to Regulars Here
for Grand Review.
BY DENMAN THOMPSON.


embers of the Fighting First"
the division that received a history
making tribute in New York yester-
day and will have homage paid it in
a similar review here next Wednes-
day. already have begun to arrive in
Washington. They will receive on
every hand evidences of appreciation
OF a people grateful for the part tax
en- by the regulars in preventing Hun
domination of the world. and includ-
ed in the entertainment afforded them
will be major league base ball as
the guests of the Washington club.
The management of the local team
has commendable record in the mat
ter of looking out for the interests
of the service men, starting with the
Clark Griffith ball and bat fund and
including admission of the wounded
from the various hospitals and recon-
struction camps about the capital
continuously since this country en-
tered the war. 1t is not surprising
then that announcement should be
made that the warriors who were
the first to fight and the last to re-
turn" will be the beneficiaries of this
consistently maintained policy.
1t is three years since many of the
personnel of the LIST have had an
opportunity to see big league clubs
majority of them were base ball fans
before they sailed overseas early in
1917. Most red-blooded Americans are,
and the men of the LIST demonstrated
by their deeds of valor in France that
they typify everything American.
Manager Griffith today said he
would get in touch with the officer
in command of the fighting men, who
shortly will begin to pour into Wash
lnSton by thousands. and arrange to
daily take care of as large a delega-
ton as can be accommodated with
comfort to themselves and other pa
irons OF the park. 1t is probable spe-
cial tickets will be printed and turned
over to the Hillary authorities for
distribution to the men as they are
granted leave.
I'd like to issue a blanket invi-
tation for any or all Of the boys to
come any day, or as often as thew
Wish, but obviously this is impossi-
Die. Manager Griffith said today.
In anere are about $4,000 Of them and
faculties at the park"
Gr1mth has communicated with the
ST. Louis club seeking its consent to
postPonement Of the game scheduled
review. and play it in the form Of
a double-header the following day.
NO reply has as yet been received
put there Is little doubt the manage
ment OF the Browns will agree to it.
Many persons addicted to daily Wis
its to American League Park when
the Nationals are at home were sur
prised and disappointed yesterday to
ma q NO game" sign posted on the
day said cancellation Of the contest
was made advisable by the heayiness
or the diamond and the excessive
moisture retained by the grass in the
H Hmhs q, Which *ha h., would endanger the
postponement was not ordered until
nearly half-past in the hope that
d:tions.
1t would help greatly If the Wash.
ington club would evolve some sys-
tenn whereby the fans could be noti-
ned. through the newspapers or other
wise. when an unexpected postpone
ment such as that Of yesterday is or
from their places of business and
making useless trip to the park.
Calling of the game made neces-
sary double-header today. This
was e good move from a box office
standpoint and doubtless was the
principal reason for it, but patrons of
the club are entitled to receive sum-
clent notice to prevent the loss to
them of time and money through lack
OF knowledge of the action taken.
Ever since the day some three weeks
ago when Ray Caldwell was struck by
lightning and knocked unconscious on
the f1eld in Cleveland he has performed
as the star he should have been for
the past decade and which he has NOT
been, owing to his refusal to take the
game seriously and make the most of
hls great ability. Yesterday he topped
on career that has few parallels for
wasted opportunities by pitching a no.
hit game against New York. one of the
Clubs that went a long way with
him. and finally turned him loose
when convinced he never would give mn
his wild ways. p
After being traded to the Red sor
last season because his usefulness with
the Yankees had ended, it was Thought
Caldwell would see the Handwriting on
the wall and brace. but even under
such a stern disciplinarian as Ed Bar
row ne failed to walk the chalk line
ana recently was given his uncondi-
uonal release. Picked up by the In
dams, who aspired to a pennant and
were willing to gamble to obtain the
add1tlonal pitching strength needed.
the change of scenery, the bolt ~
lightning. or both, had a most salutarv
enect. and now we see the name of the
tan teiegrapher engraved in base ball's
hall of fame. val .