Evening star., 1944-09-27
baugh Is Given Choice
OF Ranch or IA by
Texas Draft Board
By LEWIS F. ATCHISON.


Sammy Baugh probably will pitch
hay instead of pigskins this season
apparently read into involuntary re-
tirement by last nights action OF
his Sweetwater (TexD Draft Board
which voted unanimously to con-
tinue him in q &c classification
with the provision that he remain
on his ranch.
That left the next move up te
Sammy, but the rangy Redskin star
indicated last week he would give
up football if directed to do so by
his draft board. Baugh, who had
been granted permission to play in
exhibition games through October l,
could not be reached early today for
a statement.
Caleb r. Simmons, chairman OF
the board, told The Star over the
telephone that the group acted only
after thorough consideration of
Baugh's case. Sam appeared at last
nights hearing, he said, but made
no special plea for permission to
play football
Sammy Just Curious.
He stopped by to find out what
we were going to do with him. Mr..
Simmons said I'VE think the world
of Sam-everybody down here does,
but we felt We couldn't change his
classification.
Baugh, originally scheduled to
return to Washington today, is not
expected back until tomorrow, but
Redskin officials said he would re-
turn, and will leave with the squad
Friday for Chicago, where the Tribe
will play the Bears on Sunday in the
last OF six exhibition games. Barring
any unforeseen developments that
will be Sammy's swan song for the
season.
Baugh's loss would be a serious, II
not fatal, blow to the Redskins
championship aspirations. His dead
ly passing has been the modus oper-
andi by which the team hoped to
capture its third consecutive Eastern
division title and around which the
newly adopted T formation was
fashioned. His arm has been reck-
oned the most formidable weapon
in the teams attack.
News of the boards action left the
wigwam clouded in gloom. 1t plainly
was realized his loss would drop the
team from its current status OF CO.
favorite with the Philadelphia Eagles
for the Eastern title into the nebu-
lous role of merely another con-
tender. 1t also added to the i'm
portance of the signing Monday OF
Frank Filchock, medically dis
charged naval ofncer, and a Red
skin star before entering the service
two years ago. On Filchock will fall
the burden of filling Baughs pass
ing role if Sam Is lost.
He Still Can Play.
Baugh can play football If he
cares to, but 1t would mean auto
matte reclassification to la, de-
spite the fact that he is married and
has two children. Mr.. Simmons
would not comment on any possible
future happenings in the case, but
said the board was guided solely by
its Interpretation of the National
Selective Service Act. He said he
knew OF no provision that would
permit Baugh to play football If he
spent eight months on his ranch, as
had been suggested earlier. Baugh's s
present classification was based on
his occupation as a cattleman, he
said.
Whether Sans retirement would
be permanent was purely conjec-
tural today, but around the Red
skin office the idea was scoffed at.
AS long as he can whip the leather
in his usual style, and he has shown
no sign of losing the touch, he can
play football. 1t was pointed out.
and Tribe officials expect to have
him eventually back in harness.