Almost immediately after the US entered the World War I in April of 1917, the Commission on Training Camp Activities (CTCA) a federal agency established by President Woodrow Wilson, along with other programs like the YMCA, Jewish Welfare Board and the Salvation Army worked to raised funds to buy and supply recreational equipment to US military training camps. The main equipment that was procured was baseball bats and balls. As a result, the WWI “Bat and Ball Fund” was created and was boosted by Washington Senators owner Clark Griffith, who helped in raising the necessary funds to make the program successful. The equipment that was supplied by the CTCA had a “War Department Commission on Training Activities” stamp.

      Offered here is an official American League baseball manufactured by Reach, between 1913 and 1917. This war-time relic comes in its original box and features many key differences from the Rawlings balls used today. For instance, the south specs panel reads “9 in 5 oz” instead of “5 oz 9 in”. This ball was in use during the tenure of American League President Ban Johnson and is in mint condition. The ball features alternating blue and red stitching and is stamped “Pat’D Aug 31 09”. This baseball also has the the "War Department Commission" stamp on the side panel.

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