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.

Attendance Worrying UBA Officials

NEW YORK, NY. July 12, 1918 - Official attendance figures were sent to the league office yesterday, and Commissioner Eagan stated, "It worries me, but it's not something that surprises me."

The war in Europe has placed a large number of baseball fans in the service, and their families are too concerned about them to watch a baseball match.

Attendance is down almost 40%, and league owners and officials are very worried about the long-term impact of this year's revenue loss.

June's Best Players Recognized

NEW YORK, NY. July 1, 1918 - It was a tight race between Cleveland second-baseman Cap Cottrell and Reading pitcher Ezra Pulljam, but Pulljam had a great final week of June and has won the United League Player of the Month Award.

The left-hander went 6-1 in 7 starts. He threw 62 innings, striking out 20 and compiling a gorgeous 1.16 ERA.

This year Pulliam has compiled a 16-5 record with a 1.87 ERA in 21 starts.

Over in the Columbia League, Michal Roy was at the top of the hit parade in the Columbia League throughout June. For the outstanding month, the talented Newark second baseman was chosen the Player of the Month.

He compiled a .381 average with 40 hits, no home runs, 18 RBIs and 21 runs scored.

Roy on the season is leading the league with a .366 average. His stats include 49 RBIs and 61 runs scored.

Sanford Excelling with New Club

NEWARK, NJ. June 28, 1918 - Remember when we wrote that all Orson Sanford might need is a change of scenery?

We were right. The 26-year-old Peppers catcher has been on fire through his first twenty games. He's hitting .380 with 8 doubles, 3 triples, and 21 RBI since coming to Newark.

Top United League Clubs Lose Player to Injury

WASHINGTON, DC. June 27, 1918 - In one day, the top two teams battling for the United League Pennant lost key players to injury.

The Washington Grays lost Forest Goldsmith.

"I'm frustrated right now," said second baseman Forest Goldsmith. "I can't help this team by sitting on the bench or in the training room." Unfortunately for the Grays, that's where he will be spending the next 7 weeks. Goldsmith suffered a bruised kneecap inyesterday's game against New York 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."

To date this season Goldsmith is hitting .276 with 1 home run.

The second-place Detroit Wolverines lost their 19-year-old phenom Dee Higgins. While Higgins wasn't expected to make an impact so quickly, he made the opening day roster and has been starting for the Detroit club.

But medical officials from Detroit reported that the club's center fielder suffered inflamed facet joints in yesterday's matchup against the Boston Shipbuilders while making a defensive play. Higgins is expected to miss 3 weeks of action.

Higgins is presently batting .243 with 1 home run, 45 runs scored and 29 RBIs. He leads the league with 30 triples.

Washington, Detroit, and New York Battle for UL Title; Brooklyn, Newark in CL

NEW YORK, NY. June 23, 1918 -

United League Standings
		W	L	GB	G
Washington		45	30	-	75
Detroit		45	32	1	77
New York		45	32	1	77
Reading		38	37	7	75
Cleveland		37	39	8.5	76
Chicago		33	43	12.5	76
Yonkers		32	42	12.5	74
Boston		28	48	17.5	76
Columbia League Standings
		W	L	GB	G
Brooklyn		49	26	-	75
Newark		48	25	-	73
Indiana		41	31	6.5	72
St. Louis		36	42	14.5	78
Baltimore		33	40	15	73
Kansas City		31	40	16	71
Chicago		30	46	19.5	76
Philadelphia		28	46	20.5	74
League Leaders
Batting Average		Michal Roy		0.372	NEW
Doubles		Gabby Elston		42	KC
Triples		Dee Higgins		30	DET
Home Runs		Ezekiel Peel		12	CHI
Runs Batted In		Pierre Fisk		103	BRK
Stolen Bases		Bruce Magee		69	CLE
Earned Run Average		Theo Murrell		1.94	BRK
Wins		Emile Gamble		27	WAS
Strikeouts		Ed Gale		270	NY

Kidder Hurls 2nd No-Hitter of Season

YONKERS, NY. June 22, 1918 - Twig Kidder has pitched his second no-hitter, just one and a half months after his first.

On his historic day at Amark Field, Twig Kidder of Yonkers made good pitches the entire game, fanned 5 and had 1 walk. When the Shipbuilders hit the ball hard, they hit it right at someone for an out.

But that's how you get a no-hitter -- a lot of skill mixed with a little luck.

So far through the seven UBA seasons, there have been four no-hitters. But this is the first time two have occured in this same season, and it could be a long while before we see two in the same season from the same pitcher!

This year Kidder has made 19 starts, thrown 153.2 innings, fanned 47 batters and walked 33. His won-lost record is 9-10 with a 2.05 ERA.

Philadelphia Have Lost Last 15 Games

PHILADELPHIA, PA. June 21, 1918 - In a stunning display of ineptitude, the Philadelphia Centennials have gone 2-22 in the last 24 games, and have lost their last 15 straight.

Before their last 24 games, the Centennials were in great shape with a 26-21 record. Now, they are 28-43.

Cherry Pitches Complete Game Shutout in First Game Back

BOSTON, MA. June 12, 1918 - On the 19th of last month, Clay "Graveyard" Cherry sprained his ankle while on the mound and has been out since.

But yesterday, he pitched a complete game shutout in his first game back.

Facing Washington, Cherry threw a 4-hit, 1-walk, 7-K game and led the Shipbuilders to a 3-0 victory. Unfortunately, the team is 25-40 and sitting in last place.

Sanford Shines in Debut

NEWARK, NJ. June 5, 1918 - In his first game with the Peppers, Orson Sanford impressed Newark fans by going one-for-two with 4 RBI. His hit came in the 4th inning with two on and no outs. He ripped one into the gap for a triple.

His other two RBI came on sacrifice flies. The first-place Peppers beat the second-place Brooklyn club 7-5.

Newark, Chicago Deal Made

NEWARK, NJ. June 5, 1918 - The Newark Peppers are in first place and want to stay there. Yesterday, they announced a deal that will upgrade their team significantly.

The Newark Peppers have sent 20-year old catcher Douglas Judd, 20-year old catcher Bruce Bridges, 21-year old closer Jerry Gass, 24-year old starting pitcher Soloman Eastman and 19-year old starting pitcher Tuck Hanks to the Chicago Whales for 26-year old catcher Orson Sanford.

So far this season Sanford is batting .213 with no home runs, but historically has been a much better player. The 26-year old is in his 5th UBA season. His first two were spent with the St. Louis club. After the 1915 season, he was traded to Chicago, and he broke out there.

In his first season with the Whales, he hit .295 with 40 doubles and 6 home runs. Last year, his power improved, hitting 10 home runs.

This season, however, he was hitting just .213 and his team was in dead last at 19-39. Newark took a chance and certainly hope he gets back on track. Maybe all he needs is a change of scenery.

May's Top Players

NEW YORK, NY. June 1, 1918 - Each league announced their monthly awards yesterday, and here are May's recipients:

In the United League, the award was given to Hermann Howland, the first baseman of the New York Gothams. He hit .336 with 37 hits, 4 home runs, 20 RBIs, and 15 runs. Unfortunately, the third-year player tore an ankle ligament and will be out for the next 5-6 weeks.

The defending champion Gothams lead the United League with a 35-22 record.

In the Columbia League, the award went to 22-year-old pitcher Juan Longstreet. The Chicago native went 6-1 in May with a 1.48 ERA. He held his opponents to a .236 batting average.

Longstreet is 9-4 with a 1.99 ERA so far this season. His club, the Newark Peppers, are 1.5 games up on last years pennant winners. Newark has never finished higher than 5th place and Peppers fans are hoping they can keep the lead in the standings.

Whittington Names Chicago Ballpark

CHICAGO, IL. May 25, 1918 - The ballpark formerly known as O'Connor Park officially received a new name today.

The Orphans, now owned by popping corn magnate Pinch Whittington, will now play at the Windy City Grounds. Whittington stated that he wasn't looking to advertise his name or his popping corn business with the stadium moniker, but wanted to honor his "favorite city in the world."

New York, Newark Top Standings

NEW YORK, NY. May 24, 1918 -

United League Standings
		W	L	GB	G
New York		30	18		48
Washington		28	20	2	48
Detroit		27	22	3.5	49
Cleveland		23	24	6.5	47
Chicago		22	25	7.5	47
Yonkers		20	26	9	46
Reading		20	27	9.5	47
Boston		20	28	10	48
Columbia League Standings
		W	L	GB	G
Newark		28	18		46
Brooklyn		28	21	1.5	49
Indiana		24	22	4	46
Philadelphia		24	22	4	46
Baltimore		22	24	6	46
St. Louis		24	26	6	50
Kansas City		21	24	6.5	45
Chicago		17	31	12	48