Evening Republican, Volume 22, Number 65, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 18 March 1919 — UNCERTAIN AS TO SOLDIERS [ARTICLE]
UNCERTAIN AS TO SOLDIERS
Major League Players May Not Be Released in Time to Get Back for Spring Practice. There is still much uncertainty about the prospects for getting back in time for spring practice all of the major players now in the military and naval service. One theory was that General March intended to discharge soldier players as soon as might be, irrespective of the demobilization- of their units.' The other theory was that General March would do no such thing. Tie had- recommended baseball so highly as a sort of semi-public utility that many thought he Would make exceptions for the athletes in the army, but that is beginning to he doubted, and no man can say at present precisely what material the clubs will have; when they count noses. ft might he' mentioned, by the way. that the Eighty-ninth division, in which is the artillery regiment containing Clarence ftfftchell and Chuck Wal'd of the Superbas, and Grover Cleveland Alexander of the Cubs, has left its former camp on the old battle line, and has joined the troops ad" vancing into Germany. As this army of occupation and garrison will probably be the one& which will be kept most intact, the prospects are not bright for its share of ball players being discharged.
