7th UBA Season Comes to a Close

NEW YORK, NY. August 16, 1918 - The war in Europe was the backdrop to this interesting season. In the middle of July, Secretary of War Newton Baker ruled that baseball players were not exempt from the "work or fight" rule, and that the season would need to end September 1.

Commissioner Eagan decided to end the season on the 14th of August, in order to keep the Presidents Cup Series from being canceled. Tomorrow, the series will begin, pitting the Washington Grays against the Brooklyn Titans.

In 1918, we saw Twig Kidder of the Yonkers club pitch two no-hitters within a two month period. We saw Rip Boyce of Detroit hit his 999th hit, the most in UBA history and just one away from a milestone. We saw 24-year-old Michal Roy of Newark hit .365, breaking a record set in the league's first season by Wash Teal who hit .356.

We wish all of you well in these tough times. Here's hoping that the 1919 season will bring better times.

United League Standings
		W	L	GB	G
Washington		72	49		121
New York		73	51	0.5	124
Detroit		63	62	11	125
Reading		61	62	12	123
Cleveland		60	62	12.5	122
Yonkers		59	62	13	121
Chicago		56	66	16.5	122
Boston		46	76	26.5	122
Columbia League Standings
		W	L	GB	G
Brooklyn		89	35		124
Newark		69	50	17.5	119
Indiana		63	56	23.5	119
Kansas City		56	63	30.5	119
St. Louis		57	68	32.5	125
Philadelphia		52	70	36	122
Chicago		52	73	37.5	125
Baltimore		48	71	38.5	119
League Leaders
Batting Average		Michal Roy		0.364	NEW
Doubles		Orrin Seeley		29	KC
Triples		Snooks McKay		17	NY
Home Runs		Ezekiel Peel		9	CHI
Runs Batted In		Pierre Fisk		82	BRK
Stolen Bases		Bruce Magee		59	CLE
Earned Run Average		Ezra Pulljam		1.99	REA
Wins		Thomas Moyer		23	BRK
Strikeouts		Ed Gale		168	NY

Washington Wins United League Pennant!

WASHINGTON, DC. August 15, 1918 - In a 4-0 win over the Cleveland Maroons, the Washington Grays have clinched the United League Pennant and will play a best-of-nine game contest with the Columbia League's Brooklyn Titans.

Brooklyn Wins Columbia League Pennant, Tight Race in United League

BROOKLYN, NY. August 8, 1918 - It was a tight race throughout the season, but the Brooklyn club has really played well in the last few weeks and have clinched the Columbia League Pennant.

In the United League, New York has won eight of their last ten and now sit just 2.5 games behind the first-place Washington Grays.

Brooklyn's Gough to Miss Season, Titans Take Big Lead

BROOKLYN, NY. July 28, 1918 - "I'm frustrated right now," said Brooklyn second baseman Mat Gough. "I can't help this team by sitting on the bench or in the training room." Unfortunately for the Titans, that's where he will be spending the next 5-6 weeks. Gough suffered a torn ligament in his thumb in today's game against Newark while colliding with a player at a base. "Believe me," he said, "I won't be out a day longer than I have to be."

A look at his 1918 stats shows Gough with a .311 average, 2 home runs, 38 RBIs and 55 runs scored. He has played in 99 games.

The Titans will miss him, but have been playing extremely well. They have overtaken the Newark Peppers and now have a 10 game lead over the second place club. They've won eight of their last ten.

Baker Gives Baseball Until September 1 to Find Work

WASHINGTON, DC. July 27, 1918 - After a request was made to allow baseball leagues to finish their current seasons, Baker denied the request but did allow the leagues to stay open until September 1. At that time, players would need to fight or work in an essential occupation.

Commissioner Eagan, upon hearing the ruling, announced that the regular season will end on August 14, in order to allow the Presidents Cup Series to be played to completion.

Baseball Teams Must Go to Work

WASHINGTON, DC. July 20, 1918 - Organized baseball suffered a severe blow which will deprive it of the services of all it's "stars" when Secretary Baker ruled today that baseball was a non-essential occupation under the recently declared "work or fight rule."

The ruling was made in the case of Eddie Ainsmith, catcher for the American League's Washington club. Baker's ruling effects all draft-age baseball players from every league.

Commissioner Eagan announced that a press conference will be held in the next few days to discuss the future of the league.

Grays Calhoun Out of Action

WASHINGTON, DC. July 14, 1918 - Eli Calhoun of the Washington Grays was injured in today's game against Detroit and had to be helped off the field by the trainers. The initial diagnosis is a sprained ankle and he is expected to be out for up to 4 weeks. It happened while Calhoun was stealing a base. "It hurt a lot, to be honest. I just hope it heals soon and I can get back on the field."

So far in 1918 Calhoun is hitting .298 with 4 home runs, 39 RBIs and 63 runs scored. He has 98 hits and played in 91 games, helping Washington lead the United League with a 55-37 record.