Evening Republican, Volume 19, Number 220, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 16 September 1915 — SCHALK PLAYS “JOKE” ON “NEMO” LEIBOLD [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

SCHALK PLAYS “JOKE” ON “NEMO” LEIBOLD

Ray Schalk is tickled because Nemo Leibold is with the White Sox. The two players were on the Milwaukee Club of the American Association some years ago. They roomed together and were the closest of pals. They went around together, knew the same crowd of girls in Milwaukee and wore each other’s neckties. As time went on, Schalk was purchased by the White Sox and Leibold went to the Cleveland Naps. This did not interfere with their friendship, however. Except during the progress of a ball game, they still were chums. One -day, with Jim Scott pitching, the White Sox got into a jam. With two out, the Naps had the bases full. Nemo Leibold was sent up to bat in the pinch by Manager Birmingham. Schalk decided to play a little joke on his former “roomie” and, incidentally, get Scott out of a hole if possible. Leibold sauntered to the plate, swung his bat and waited for Scott to pitch. Schalk gave the signal for a groove ball and then asked Nemo if he had

received a letter from Mary recently. The Nap player turned half around. “No, Ray; she hasn’t written in weeks. Wonder what’s the matter?” Scott had shot a ball through and the umpire called “Strike one!” “That’s funny,” replied Schalk, ‘I thought she wrote at least once a week.”

“Guess she’s too busy to write,” said Leibold, glancing around again. Another ball shot across. “Strike two!” yelled the umpire. The two coachers on the lines frantically tried to give Leibold the signal. They couldn’t understand why he stood there as if in a trance. “Well, I heard from Helen,” exclaimed Schalk. “She’s going to Michigan on a two weeks’ trip.’' “Gee, that’s great,” answered Leibold, keeping his bat on his shoulder. “She’s certainly a dandy girl.” “You bet she is,” grinned Schalk as the third strike whizzed across. “Batter out!” snapped the umpire, and Nemo walked to the bench.