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RED DEVILS EXHIBITION GAME IN THE NEWS |
 Nottingham
Takes To Baseball
Nottingham Guardian, Monday, May 29th, 1944
(courtesy of Nico Jongeneel) |
Notts County football ground had one of its biggest
attendances yesterday, when a baseball challenge match was played
between the Red Devils and The Panthers, two American Army teams.
True, there was no charge for admission, and not even a collection;
but there could be no doubt about the crowd's interest in the match. It
is also true that most of those present had only a vague knowledge, if
any at all, of the rules of the game. Many of them probably had
quite wrong ideas about it.
But it was not in fact necessary to know much about this match to
enjoy it. It was played with extraordinary vigour, and the was
spectacular hitting, some magnificent catches, and many exciting
incidents when the ball was fielded and thrown in. The crowd was
particularly pleased when one batsman hit a ball right over the top of
the grandstand on the other field.
Red Devils Favoured
It probably appeared to |
Americans present at the match that the English spectators
were not at all enthusiastic; but that was because they were not used to
English crowds, and did not realize that the frequent and prolonged
clapping over what appeared to be a bit of clever play was almost
riotous enthusiasm as compared to that shown at average cricket match in
England.
The was an indefeasible commentator who, by means of loudspeakers,
explained the game as it went on, and was extremely helpful, and
at times very amazing. He invited people to send him written
questions, and got several very strange results.
The crowd, for some quite unknown reason, gave their favour to he
Red Devils. The commentator, on the other hand, seemed to fancy
The Panthers, and the crowd enjoyed itself by showing it backed the Red
Devils.
The result was a big win for the crowd's favourites. They won
by 18 to nil, ort zero as the commentator had it. |
 Letter
of Appreciation
dated 29th May 1944, written to the editor of the Breese Journal,
hometown newspaper of Sgt. Adolph Warnecke. Similar letters were
probably sent to the local newspapers for each team member. They
were undoubted timed to arrive along worth the press releases (see
above).
(courtesy of Nico Jongeneel) |
F. W. GRAY & CO.
WAREHOUSEMEN
GREYHOUND STREET, LONG
NOTTINGHAMThe Editor
Breese Journal
Breese
Illinois, USA
Dear Sir,
It is with
much pleasure that I write to you as Chairman of the Nottingham
Anglo-American Committee concerning the great occasion in our city on
Sunday 28th May, when thousands of our citizens came together to witness
the first Base Ball Match ever played between rival Americans teams in
Nottingham. What a thrill for us all to see your boys thoroughly
happy in our City. In fact it is but fair to inform you this event
is typical of the atmosphere of the City of Nottingham in these
days when [censored] American boys are here and many of them are coming
to this city on official and unofficial 48 hours an d 7 days leaves of
absence. |
Nottingham is very proud indeed, not only to welcome your
fine boys but also to assure you of its intense hopes that the bonds of
friendship in these may be symbolic of the days to come. Be quite happy
in the knowledge that your sons are in a most friendly city and country
and know that anything we can do during their sojourn with us will be a
great joy to us all. Why am I so
enthusiastic? I will tell you. As an official in Rotary
International I have many happy memories of visits to your country, when
your kindness to me was most unstinted and at times overwhelming.
In fact I have informed my fellow citizens on several occasions that my
personal debt to American can never be discharged.
In conclusion may I express the
hope that when conditions permit you will come over and see the city
which was for a short period home away from home for many boys from
America.
The Lord Mayor of our City is a member of
my Committee and wishes to be associated with the whole of my sentiments
expressed in this letter.
With every good wish to you all,
Yours Sincerely.
/s/ Frederick Gray |
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