New-York tribune., 1921-03-09
Babes Wallop
Wins Practice
Game by Tally
Rupperts Defeat Illusions by
3 to 2 Count i'm Fast Af-
fray of Good Twirling
By r. ]. Kelly


Ruth crashed out his first home run Of
the training season here this afternoon
and gave the Rupperts their fourth
successive victory over the Illusions in
the daily practice game between the
two teams. The contest, an eight
inning affair, was exceptionally we'll
played for this time Of the year, and
the final score was to e.
"Babe's" crash. watch sailed over the
fence in right center field, came in
the sixth inning, with Christensen and
Fewster on the bases. Two strikes and
one ball had been called on Puth when
he met one Of CT ffords snoots and
drove it out of the lot. Neither team
had previously scored single run and
the Bambino's clout proved to be the
margin of victory as the Illusions
chased two talIies across in the seventh
inning.
Tho pitchers started to loosen up
their arms in earnest to-day and the
game took on the aspect of u real ex-
hibition. Alex Ferguson, formerly Of
the Jersey City club, breezed them over
the plate in fine style, and did not
allow hit during his four inning stay
on the mound. Only three of his op-
ponents reached first base, and these
got bases on balls.
Ruth Gets Two Singles
Bill Piercy, who started in the box
for the Hustons, also flashed some
midseason twirling. He yielded three
hits, two of whi.n were singles by
Ruth In addition Piercy registered
five strike-outs in four innings. In the
fifth, after French had reached first
on Mitchell's error, he retired the side
on strikes, tanning Gault, Ferguson
and Christensen in succession.
Jack Clifford, who succeeded Piercy
in the box, did not fare as we'll as his
predecessor and was plastercd for four
hits in the sixth inning and three in
the seventh. Jess Doyle took up the
pitching burden for the Rupperts in
the fifth and held his opponents hitless
for two more innings. He was found
for q pair of singles in the seventh
and one in the eighth
Ruth came to bat for the first time
in the second inning and lined out a
screeching single to center field. He
sprinted for second, but was out on a
close play.
Chick Fewster deprived the Rupperts
of good opportunity to score in the
fourth inning when he was caught off
first base on a throw from Piercy after
he had singled to center. The Babe
followed with another single to the
same field, but Mcmillan, the next
batter, struck out
Ruth's chance came in the sixth in
ming. Christensen got on as result
of McNally's low throw to first Agnew
moved him along to second with a
sacrifice. Fewster bounced one off
Clitford's glove for single. putting
Christensen on third. The stage was
thus set for Ruth and he responded
with his drive over the fence.
Illusions Make Game Fight
The Illusions made game effort to
overtake their rivals in the seventh,
but they fell one run short of tying
the score. Munson led off with the
first hit for his team, a scratch single
through French. McNally rolled one
down to French, but both runners were
to second. Hawks forced Munson at
third. Devormer famed, but Clifford
came through with a single to left,
which sent McNally and Hawks across.
Four more regulars, Wallie Schang.
Bo1 Shawkey, Wallie Pipp and Bobby
Roth, reached camp at noon to-day.
There are now four veterans to report.
They are rip" Collins, Roger Peckin-
paugh, Bob Meusel and "Homcrun"
Baker. The Trappe Mauler will not
reach here until the end of the week,
but Peckinpaugh and Meusel may ar
rive tomorrow. Collins is still hold
out
In addition to his home run in the
practice game. Ruth clouted two balls
over the fence during batting practice.
One went over the wall in right center
field, while Tom Sheehan was on the
mound, and the other over the right
field barrier, with Gramley in the bcx.
Carl Mays also clouted three long
drives over the right field wall in the
morning workout.
Ping Bodie broke into the game for
the first time this afternoon and COW
cred second base for the Illusions. He
went hitless in four times at bat.
The line -up-Rupperts Christensen,
c. f.; Agnew, |. f.; Fewster, I'd b.;
Ruth, 1st b.; Mcmillan, Sd b.: Skinner,
T. f.; French, S. s.; Gault, c.; Ferguson,
Hustons:r : Connolly. c. f.; Mitchell.
s. s; Bodie, I'd b.; Wingo. |. f.; Mon
son, r. f.; Ward. Sd b.; McNally, Sd b.:
Hawks, 1st b.; Devormer, c.; Piercy, D.;
Clifford, p.
The score by innings:
Illusions .......o 0 O o ? %
Home rur-Ruth. Stolen base-French.