OOTP Developments Forums - View Single Post - Baseball In The Tar Heel State: A Fictional Experience

AZTarHeel · 04-08-2009, 12:48 PM

3200 Clement Blvd. SW
Hickory, N.C. 28601

Mr. and Mrs. Clint Hartle
5105 Centreville Farms Road
Centreville, Va. 20120

July 23, 1918

Dear mom and dad,

Greetings from the western North Carolina town of Hickory. Thank you for your encouraging letter that I received a few weeks ago, and yes I miss both of you very much, as well as sis. Glad to hear the weather has been good this spring and summer, and that things look good for the harvest this fall.

Yes, it is true that I suffered a serious shoulder injury in a game back in late May. I'm on the mend, but the doctor I see here in Hickory tells me this is going to be a long process before I can play ball again. I may or may not be ready for the start of next season, should the club decide to keep me around.

I hope they will. I was starting to be one of Hickory's top producers before I got hurt. They had me batting in the "clean-up" spot, which means I'm the No. 4 hitter in the order. That means they are relying on me to drive in runs. I had hit three home runs in our first 35 games and recorded 24 hits in all. Against Statesville, I made three hits in three at-bats on May 10.

My average wasn't great, they tell it was .233, but I was starting to feel more comfortable at the plate and at third base. It was neat to have people around town stop me on the street and know who I am. "Hey that's Chris Hartle, Hickory's third baseman!" That really motivated me to play hard for the Rebels.

Now, of course, everything is on hold while I heal up. I'm staying busy helping the team in any way I can. A number of us ball players are living in a boarding house of sorts, owned by a widow that everyone calls Miss Dee. She cooks for us and does our laundry (thank goodness), while we in turn help her with what needs to be done at her house and small farm. I'm doing a lot of the paperwork for her since I can't do a lot of lifting.

If all goes well, I should be back home in time for Labor Day. I can't promise I'll be much help bringing the crops in but I'll do what I can. Hopefully, I'll be back in Hickory (or maybe even Asheville!) ready to play ball by February or March 1919, Good Lord willing.

Be sure to tell my good friend Jeff that I said hello. Has he returned from Arizona yet? I'll bet he's got some stories to tell from that adventure for sure.

Can't wait to see everyone again. All my love,

Your son,
Chris

04-08-2009, 12:48 PM	#70 (permalink)
AZTarHeel All Star Starter Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: North Carolina Posts: 1,488 Thanks: 9 Thanked 9x in 8 posts	3200 Clement Blvd. SW Hickory, N.C. 28601 Mr. and Mrs. Clint Hartle 5105 Centreville Farms Road Centreville, Va. 20120 July 23, 1918 Dear mom and dad, Greetings from the western North Carolina town of Hickory. Thank you for your encouraging letter that I received a few weeks ago, and yes I miss both of you very much, as well as sis. Glad to hear the weather has been good this spring and summer, and that things look good for the harvest this fall. Yes, it is true that I suffered a serious shoulder injury in a game back in late May. I'm on the mend, but the doctor I see here in Hickory tells me this is going to be a long process before I can play ball again. I may or may not be ready for the start of next season, should the club decide to keep me around. I hope they will. I was starting to be one of Hickory's top producers before I got hurt. They had me batting in the "clean-up" spot, which means I'm the No. 4 hitter in the order. That means they are relying on me to drive in runs. I had hit three home runs in our first 35 games and recorded 24 hits in all. Against Statesville, I made three hits in three at-bats on May 10. My average wasn't great, they tell it was .233, but I was starting to feel more comfortable at the plate and at third base. It was neat to have people around town stop me on the street and know who I am. "Hey that's Chris Hartle, Hickory's third baseman!" That really motivated me to play hard for the Rebels. Now, of course, everything is on hold while I heal up. I'm staying busy helping the team in any way I can. A number of us ball players are living in a boarding house of sorts, owned by a widow that everyone calls Miss Dee. She cooks for us and does our laundry (thank goodness), while we in turn help her with what needs to be done at her house and small farm. I'm doing a lot of the paperwork for her since I can't do a lot of lifting. If all goes well, I should be back home in time for Labor Day. I can't promise I'll be much help bringing the crops in but I'll do what I can. Hopefully, I'll be back in Hickory (or maybe even Asheville!) ready to play ball by February or March 1919, Good Lord willing. Be sure to tell my good friend Jeff that I said hello. Has he returned from Arizona yet? I'll bet he's got some stories to tell from that adventure for sure. Can't wait to see everyone again. All my love, Your son, Chris __________________ AzTarHeel's dynasty works: The Arizona League 3.0: Historical players in the Grand Canyon state Tall Tales: The Andrew Zarzour Story Baseball In The Tar Heel State: A Fictional Experience Win At All Costs: The 2004 Boston Red Sox The Arizona League: Real Players. Fictional Teams Last edited by AZTarHeel; 04-08-2009 at 12:50 PM.