Evening Republican, Volume 18, Number 130, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 2 June 1914 — SOLDIER BALL PLAYERS TO MEET ATHLETICS [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

SOLDIER BALL PLAYERS TO MEET ATHLETICS

Team From U. S. Army Recruiting Station In Chicago to Be Here > Sunday Afternoon.

The. United States army baseball team is coming here to meet the Athletics next Sunday, the game to take place at Riverside Athletic Park.* The team is not from Fort Sheridan, but is composed of soldiers, mostly non-commissioned officers, who are on duty with the recruiting service in the Chicago dis-

triet The team is a good one, and last Saturday and Sunday played at Peru, IH., a city of 7,000 people, winning both games. The Chicago Record-Herald published the box score of the games, which shows that the team is highly rated. * First. Lieutenant F. R. Kenney, Who is in charge of the Chicago recruiting district, (has found that the baseball team is an important factor in securing enlistments to the army, and the playing of the. team has the authority of the war department, and Lieutenant E. R. Harris, his assistant, travel with the team. The .team manager is Sergeant Beebe, who has been in the army for eighteen years. He has tried to bring together a ball team that has no superior among semiprotfessionaJ teams of the country and vigorously proclaims their superiority. He was informed Monday by Manager Kiplinger that his team would have the game of their life here next Sunday/ Sergeant Beebe has prepared a brief history |O< the players, as follows: Corporal W. Johns, pitcher—"Hoss”. During Corporal John’s Philippine service he worked at pitcher for the All Army Team that won the championship of the Philippines. ..He is probably the best baseball pitcher in the 80,000 enlisted men of the U. 8. army. He has been in the service continually since April 9, 1906. Corporal A. ®. Hills, first base.— “Lizzie” Corporal Hills is a Chicago boy, having enlisted at Chicago, 111., April 3, 1911, and was assigned to the 13th Cavalry. He was discharged from the 13th Cavalry on April 2, 1914, with an excellent character. He played ftt 'base with the

regimental team on the Texas border and was offered a contract with the Southwestern League. He re-en-listed tor duty with the recruiting party April 9, 1914. (Private J. Crichton, right fielder. —“Orik.” Crieh ton has just - returned from the Texas border, where he played on the All Star Army team that has been cleaning up everything they played during the last three years. Crichton, hearing of the Chicago team, came here and enlisted May 6, 1914. Corporal W. Smith, catcher.— Captain “Smitie.” Smith served six years in the army prior to 1912 but upon going back to his home in Pennsylvania he was picked up by the Frick Mining League and caught for the team that won the SBOO cup given by the Frick Mining company in 1912. During the sea-

son of 1913 he played second base for the same team and they again won the cup. Smith, like Crichton, hearing of the Chicago Army team, came here May 2, 1914. Corporal Frank Drzevicki, utility. —“DreS.” Corporal Frank, as he is called by his team , mates, played ball in the Philippines during 1911 and 1912. He has been in the army continuously since 1902. . Private L. C. Krueger, second base—“Oom Paul.” Kreuger has played ball with the 11th Cavalry regimental team during his last enlistment, which expired April 27, 1914. He also came to Chicago and re-enlisted for duty with the recruiting party and to play ball. Sergeant H. E. Connors, utility.— “Chuck.” Sergeant Connors is an expert stenographer and during his first three years sevrice in the army was with the judge advocate general’s clerical staff at Fort Slocum, N. Y., where he played ball with the sth Infantry regimental team. - John Kenney, Sergeant Junior Grade. Son of Lieut. Kenney—“Miascot.” Little John is one of the staunchest fans in Chicago, going to the big league games every day except days the Army team plays. Corporal C. L. Nieswender, left fielder.—“ Nice.” Corporal “Nice” is serving his second enlistment with the army, having completed three years’ service with Troop “M”, Bth Cavalry, on Sept. 4, 1913, where he played ball with the. regimental team during his term of enlistment. He has been with' the Chicago recruiting party since Sept. 6, 1913. Corporal J. Kurz, shortstop—- “ Blondy.” Corporal Kurz was the regimental pitcher for the 15th Cav-

airy team, but when ‘he learned of the Chicago team he transferred for duty in Chicago and has played shortstop in all games this season. Private J. H. Waidley, Center Fielder.—“ Jack.” Waidtey was captain of the baseball team in Co. K, Ist Infantry, stationed at Honolulu. This team won the championship of the Hawaiian Islands in 1913. He completed six years service in the army on April 7, 1914, and he being air Aurora, 111., boy, he returned home, but as soon as he heard of the Chicago team he ap plied and was re-enlisted for duty in the Chicago recruiting district May 2, 1914. Private- W. Anners, utility.— “Bill”. Anners was born and raised in Davenport, lowa, the-home of Chas. Comisky, and has been with the army since October 19, 1907.

Sergeant W. J. Pike, pitcher—‘Chop Suey.” It has been said that Sengt. Pike can stand more work in the baseball line than most of the big leaguers. He is a southpaw and played with, the 17th U-. 8. Infantry ball team during three years service th that organization. - . i '

On Decoration day,. 1913, Sergt. Pike climbed a fire escape on South Clark street, Chicago, and wading through the opposition of 100 Chinks, tore down a Chinese flag that was floating above the Stars and Stripes, thereby earning the pseudonym of “Chop Suey.” Sergt. Pike completed nine years continuous service with Uncle Sam on May 17, 1914, but when asked if he intended to re-enilst, his reply was, “Does a duck like water?’’

Corporal W. Fredericks, third base—“ Fritz.” Corporal Fredericks played on the All Airmy team that won the championship of the Philippine Islands in 1912 and captained the team that toured Japan during that year. The teams in and around Chicago that we have played are of the opin ion that we have a big leaguer on third, but “Fritz” has been in the army since 1908, having re-enlisted for duty in the Chicago recruiting district Feb. 3, 1914. Sergeant H. R. Springer—" Top”. Senior Sergeant of the Recruiting District of Chicago. Sergt. Springer has been with the army since June 13, 1905. y

Sergt. Geo. O. Beebe, Manager.— “Sarg”. Sergt. Beebe will complete 18 years of service with Uncle Sam on June 3, 1914. He has been on recruiting duty in the Chicago district since June 4, 1902. >

The Team That Will Meet the Athletics Next Sunday