The Waterbury Democrat., 1943-05-06
Baseball Via The
 Small Town Under Wartime Conditions

The shortage of baseball talent In the small towns during the lat ter stages of this Second World War is especially noticeable, espe- cially to the followers of baseball One who was not up on sports in general, however, would not even know or be able to ascertain the difference in the sporting world in general. Of course, when 1 make this statement 1t seems a bit funny when I look back over the entire Home Front. On the production line men are being taken right and left. but the women seem to be able to man the job capably. But when 1t comes to some of the more vigorous sports such as baseball and football, 1t seems to your writer that the women just don't seem to click, as some will put 1t. Perhaps some Of you women patriots will ask, if the women can man all the other wartime posts on the home and on the battle fronts, why can't they hold down the vital posts on the sports front2 Well, the answer Is not simple one, but, nevcrthe- less, there is one and that is that same old story, baseball and foot ball and many others of the many sports were just made for the men, But that reason alone would not con- vince myself as well as many other readers. one very substantial rca- son, however, in our favor Is that the men have a head start on the women, by this mean they have gone in for 1t in a bigger way and have practically made it profess sion. Besides this they have estab- liShed records and have developed more great players down through the last 100 years of baseball than the women will be able to establish in 50 wartimes. And that reason alone plus the fact that the game of base ball is a profession, proves conclus- ively that baseball is mans game, 1t is vital to the war effort, there fore, certain classifications should be accorded to those established in the field Of sport, as they are to those classed essential to the war effort in other industries and pro feSSionS.
 The problem stated above is no new idea or particle for you to null over, but 1t is a problem of vital necessity to the United Nations, because there are three things that will give the fighting man the things he needs to win this war. They are: 1. Guns to fight with; 2. Money to pay for the guns to fight with; 3. And last but not least, morale that is Spurred on by sports and others of the vital wartime programs.
 After reading this article you will probably say what has this national problem got to do with the small town game of baseball? Well, will tell you. When the soldier boy comes home and sees his brother or fellow townsman engaging in a game of ball 1t returns him back to the determination of fighting all the harder, and winning this war all the quicker. Furthermore those older men and women who have to man the Home Front need their relax ation more now than ever, and if baseball in the small town is wiped out by too many short sited regu- lationS. the result to the Allies as one or as whole will be disastrous now and forever.
 By the way, 1t looks now to me, the majority Of the baseball leagues and teams will be through for the duration in the small town, If some classification is not established for the participants, or some program worked out. This program, what ever it may be, is In the hands of the people as well as the hands of the legislators.