For the past few v^eelcs there has been the lull in ath-^
letic games that is annually sandwiched between the end of the
basket ball season and the beginn^ig of the,favorite summer
pastime, baseball. Of course most of the high schools that
go in for the gbr.Q of baseball have already begun their sch^
edules of garaes. As those of you who hail from Lawndale know,
^ ^ _ ‘t'hs students of the Piedmont School do not enter into the
fPl2.ying of baseball v/ith the . zest'that is exhibited v;hen
' / >' basketbal], is involved« Then too, normally'the rural schools
of Cleveland County close, too early to permit the placing of
much emphasis on baseball® .
As matters now stand the. big handicap here at Piedmont
in so far as baseball is concerned is the lack of a suitable
play-ground. Our play-]ground might do veiy v;ell for'a giime of marbles or of horse
shoes, But it is simply too small for real baseball. To specu3.ate on what-might
happen to a baseball when batted on our miniature diamond is ^t least amusing, ' If
.fouled it might go throu^ a vdndow in thejaigricultural^jDuilding and perchance be bi-
■'sected by a ripsaw, A second baJ.l, provided one can be rounded up, if fouled irdght
•'/•force its way through a windov; in the Home Ec, buildiiig .and land in the middle of a
'■'pudding. Even if the ball should be driven into the right field in fair territory it
could land in a briar patch, or if hit a little harder, would likely fa 11 tvithin the
confines of the school's septic tank, A long hit to centfcrfield could conceivably
end up by the ball*s rolling into Maple Creek or First BTOad River, B^inaHy,. a long
clout into left field would like3y me^in that the o^.d ball 'Wduld botind from oqik tree
to' oaJc tree, then crash through a windov/ in the science l^boratqry, roll across the
stage, pass on through the auditoriimi and wind up in the' prin.cipal*s. office,. The
.ball WQiil'd^then be placed behind the door and the be.U rung for the'beginning of the
; next peri6(^l* ; v..' , ■. ' , , ?■ y
, ^ Yet';despite the fe?/ minor handicaps- referred to above, our boys have actually
played'three games with'othe r schools. Two of these contests v/ere with Belwood#
Piedmont .won both games,. A third gsme was played vdth Shelby, Here Shelby was the
vjinner« No doubt the few games that are being play'ed will do something toivards gett
ing those Piedmont boys in shape who have their eyes focused on American Legion base
ball during the , coming summer c
. As we walk down from the Piednaont Hill to the company store and the original
Hoover’Rail we observe that the fajiiiliar summer game of checkers is.getting, off with
a..bang. It may seem to you fellows who ai-e m service a little, Nearly forjiliis, but
this,has been an'unusually early spring. The urge has been tqo great to.^
be tr\ken lightly*. VJhy, a chccker tourna^nt is already progr^ess,
And a; great deal of enthusiasm is being manifesjt^iij-^
•«* // \
We are certain tliat you will be interested in f/
leading the familiar names of those persons (I /'''
ivho are taking part in the- above mentioned tour‘"*.i:i:'^'
namejat. The -participants are as follows; Forest Walker, Jack
Eskridge, Jake Vfard. Tom Forney^ Shannon Blanton, Ezra Wease,-
Summie Eaker, J. .H. Brackett^ Horace licKee, Ray Williams, •
Buck Southards.^ Sam Jeffers, Yatos Lee, Aldon Eaker,
Dewey Dixon,; and Lefty Blanton, It is hoped that a
y/ihnei* will be determined by J’one 1st, Tlie latest! (y^
reading of the bulletin board showed that Summie EakeV had four wins against one loss,
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