The globe-independent. (Hagerstown, Md.) 1943-19??, 1947-03-20
BEHIND
HOME PLATE
BY DOUG STEWART

noon, the Legionnaires meet the
Baltimore Bullets and the Cabineers
take on the City League All-Star
team. These are the final games of
the season and should draw the big
gest crowd of the year.
The big game in the City League,
between Uncle Johns CabineerS and
the Saddle Pals, originally scheduled
for Monday night, has been post
poned until next Monday, as the
CabineerS were playing in the Tri-
State Tournament in Martinsburg,
w. Va, on Monday night
Baseball
Mr.. Sterling write me that seven
more Owls have signed their con-
tracts since l published the list last
week Of those signed up to that
time Here they are:
Pitchers: Ed Curtis, Marty Mino-
que. Barney Schultz; catchers, Dick
jackson and Peter Kantor; Infield-
ers, Ted Policy; Outfelders, Richard
Williams.
Last week I promised to publish
Tony Matarazzos letter to Mr..
Sterling so here it is. After you have
read it I think you will agree with
the statement l made last week -
that Tony is a gentleman, if there
ever was one, both on and off the
playing field, and a real credit to
the game.
March 5, 1947
My Dear Mr.. Sterling:
When 1 left Hagerstown last year
I was undecided if l would be re-
turning. Well after a good season
like l had last year and one of my
best seasons in all my years of pro-
fessional baseball. I know I am not
going to get any place at my age
now Mr.. Sterling, so it is best l
gave it up and hold on to a full
time and all-year- round job. You
see I could not get leave of alb
Sence from the job l now hold. 1t
is not like my old shop, where
when spring came rolling around, l
gave my boss two weeks notice so
as he could replace me- This last
time I left it seems l was replaced
for good and found myself out of
a job when I came home after the
AS season. 1t took me some time
to break in on this new job, get my
self into the union hold on to my
seniority rights, so as 1 will be en-
titled to all the union benefits. l
like this job I now hold and would
not think of leaving now. About
ball playing, I guess I will do a
little of it about the city.
Ihave enjoyed playing for you Mr..
Sterling, and for all of the people
in Hagerstown who, can say, made
me feel at home the two years I've
been with the club For the sports
writers who did a swell job in
keeping the fans we'll informed on
the progress of the home team and
in getting both the players and the
fans well acquainted Also for the
two managers who have helped me
a great deal-last season Mr.. John
Grifiths who. was the kind of man.
ager I like to play for always, and
the AS season manager, Dutch"
Dorman, who did wonders with the
team after the season got well I'M
der way. These memories I will
cherish throughout the coming
years, for they may have been MEM
orable ones.
Now, Mr.. Sterling, I will ask a
favor of you which will be a help
to your AT club if he makes good.
would like you to get in touch
with this young man who has had
some minor league experience. He
has just been discharged from the
service and would like a tryout
with the club. He has played with
the Erie BIC Club of the Pony
League in IA at second base, and
the AS, As seasons found him in the
army I told him I would recon-
mend him to you as you could get
in touch with him. His name is
Dominick Chiola, of 416 East 116th
Street, New York City. think he
deserves a look over by Skipper
Griffiths, who has had many years
of experience as an infelder. He
loves to play ball as I know, be-
cause we played on the same club
before the war, around the city.
So there you have it, Mr. Sterl-
ing, I guess you never expected to
receive an answer like this when
you mailed me the contract. I do
hope this letter finds you and the
family in the best of health. My re-
cards 70 Mr. opd MIRO Tobn Crif