Researching & Archiving Arkansas' Baseball History

Charles Hodge

Charles A. Hodge, born about 1876 in Laramie, WY¹, was a professional baseball pitcher from 1896-1899. Hodge was reported to be from Coal Hill², Pine Bluff³ and Little Rock, AR⁴.

Biography

Hodge pitched with Plaquemine, LA in 1895⁵⁶⁷.

Early in the 1896 season, Hodge became part of a controversy. The Densison, TX team claimed Hodge had agreed to terms with that club. Hodge refuted this by saying that he had simply rather agreed to discuss terms⁸.

Excerpts

"Pitcher C. A. Hodge is an Arkansas boy. He stands 6 feet tall, weighs 170 pounds and is just 20 years old. Hodge is a most promising young pitcher and has plenty of speed and good command. It is claimed that he can hit a ball with certainty and hard too."⁹

"Pitcher Hodge was born 20 years ago. Although a boy in years he can hold his own in any company. He tips the scales at 170 pounds all of which is bone and muscle." ¹⁰

"There are likely to be serious complications over the signing of Pitcher Hodge, and the National League will be called in to decide the case. The Denison Club, of the Texas League, has raised a howl and demanded that President Powers ship the twirler at once to the soil of bucking bronchos and wild steers. But Mr. Powers simply laughs in his sleeve and invites the Texas people to take the "hayseed." The Texas people claim that Hodge accepted terms, as well as a ticket, before signing with the New Orleans team. However, Hodge opens his square jaw and shouts "Lie, lie" to the assertion. Mr. Powers questioned him regarding the matter and produced a telegram, showing that the business he had with the Texas people was of a nature that was not binding. He claims that while he was digging rocks in Coalhill [sic], Ark., he received an offer from the Texas people, giving terms. His reply was that he would talk finances on his arrival provided a ticket was sent him. But during all this he was dragged into the little net which Powell throws out after the close of every season, and when the ticket reached him he sent it back, saying that he would rather play with New Orleans. Now President Nick Young, of the National league, will have to worry his brain to decide the case, but in the meantime the Pelicans will claim the wonder of the twentieth century as their own. Hodge is the man who pitched against Powell's team in Plaquemine last year, and his performance there was, indeed, creditable. Whether he will hold his own in such fast company as the Southern League or not forces a different story."⁵

"Pitcher Hodge arrived yesterday from his home at Pine Bluff, Ark., [to] join the rest of the boys in [the camp] this morning. He was considered [?] pitcher in the Arkansas league, [?] semi-professional clubs. [Bill] Kemmer was in that league the latter part of the [?] he speaks in favorable term of Hodge."³

"Hodge, the country boy, whose claim for recognition was given no attention two years ago by [New Orlean Manager Abner] Powell, after he had gotten the youngster from Little Rock, was at his best: he seemed to bear a little dislike for the Pelicans, and took a pride in beating them."¹¹

"Chas. Hodge, who will divide honors with Jake Volz as slab performer for the Bronchos this year, is an all-around athlete as well as a ball player. He is an aerial artist as well as acrobat and has made a number of balloon ascensions and parachute leaps. The fact that Mr. Hodge makes it his business to go up into the air ought to enhance his value as a twirler, for he will be at an advantage when the opposing batsmen are dissecting his curves. Instead of making an involuntary aerial excursion, as is common among pitchers in a state of bombardment, Mr. Hodge can postpone his balloon ascension until after the game. This will be Hodge's sixth season as a pitcher. His first engagement was with Little Rock, Ark., in 1894 and 1895. In 1896 he was with New Orleans and in '97 he was again with Little Rock. Last season he was with Houston. He was born in Laramie, Wyo., 23 years ago and lacks half an inch from being a six-footer."¹

"The [San Antonio] team will line up as follows: . . . Charles Hodge, right field . . . The homes of the players are as follows: . . . Hodge, Little Rock, Ark."⁴

Stats

1896 Statistics at Baseball-Reference.com.