Work Or Fight, World War I and Major League Baseball-- Part 1

From Baseball.org.  This Great Game "1918 All Work Or Fight  and No Play."

As the Great War rolls on, the U.S. government presses Major League Baseball to do more for the effort. After a threatened shutdown, they allow baseball to continue on and the Boston Red Sox win their last World Series for 86 years.

The United States declared war on Germany just days before the baseball season began.  Eventually the minor leagues shut down, the majors went forward with their full schedule for 1917.  A handful of players got drafted into the service and few enlisted.

Those who continued to play  took part in token "military" drills to show their support.  Owners  donated a lot of money to the war effort. and even rounded up baseball gear so the soldiers could play when not in their trenches.

Further pressure caused the owners to make changes for the 1918 season.  They cut down on travel, relocated spring training to sites closer to home and reduced the 1918 schedule from  154 games to 140 and, also managed to trim player salaries.

Owners countered with baseball being the National Pastime and  keeping stateside spirits and morale high.

There is a picture of the Washington senators marching in formation with bats taking the place of rifles.

A Bat For the War Effort.  --Cootbat