Service World Series, 1944 – Hawaiian Islands
The 1944 Service World Series was a seven-game contest that pit All-Stars from the Army against Navy All-Stars to boost morale of the service members stationed around Oahu and for the benefit of the infirmed combat wounded who were recovered enough to attend the games. Scheduled independent of the seven-game series, the teams played two games on the island of Maui and then again at Hilo on Hawaii before concluding on Kauai. The series was a resounding success for the GIs who could witness the games and the Navy handedly defeated the Army, sweeping them in the first four games to claim the championship. The decision was made at that point to continue playing the remaining games despite the Navy’s victory in Game Four. The Army won the final game, 5-3 at Furlong Field.
The scorecards and programs used over the course of the 11 games varied dependent upon venue. All of the games at Furlong Field shared the same design with the only difference being the date printed at the bottom of the front cover. The two games at Hickam shared the same scorecard as both dates, September 23 and 30, are printed on all copies. A 14-page program used for for Game Four at Naval Air Station Kaneohe Bay was the most complex piece that included player photos for most of the men on each roster. The scorecard used at Schofield Barracks’ Redlander Field on September 25 remains the only unknown of the first seven games.
Original Seven-Game Series
| Game | Teams | Venue | Game Date | Attend. | Outcome |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Game 1 – Service World Series | Army All-Stars vs Navy All Stars | Furlong Field, CHA3, Pearl Harbor, T.H. | Friday, September 22, 1944 | 20,000 | 5-0 (Navy) |
| Game 2 – Service World Series | Army All-Stars vs Navy All Stars | Flood Field, Hickam Army Air Field, Pearl Harbor, T.H. | Saturday, September 23, 1944 | 12,000 | 8-2 (Navy) |
| Game 3 – Service World Series | Army All-Stars vs Navy All Stars | Redlander Field, Schofield Barracks, Honolulu, T.H. | Monday, September 25, 1944 | 14,500 | 4-3 (Navy) |
| Game 4 – Service World Series | Army All-Stars vs Navy All Stars | NAS Kaneohe Bay, Oahu, T.H. | Wednesday, September 27, 1944 | 10,000 | 10-5 (Navy) |
| Game 5 – Service World Series | Army All-Stars vs Navy All Stars | Furlong Field, CHA3, Pearl Harbor, T.H | Thursday, September 28, 1944 | 16,000 | 12-2 (Navy) |
| Game 6 – Service World Series | Army All-Stars vs Navy All Stars | Flood Field, Hickam Army Air Field, Pearl Harbor, T.H. | Saturday, September 30, 1944 | 12,000 | 6-4 (Navy) |
| Game 7 – Service World Series | Army All-Stars vs Navy All Stars | Furlong Field, CHA3 Pearl Harbor, HI | Sunday, October 1, 1944 | 16,000 | 5-3 (Army) |
With the departure of Phil Rizzuto and Dom DiMaggio who returned to Melbourne, Australia and Pee Wee Reese who remained on Oahu, the Navy lost some of their potent offense and strong defense which allowed the Army to claim their second victory on October 5 on Maui and tying the Navy at Hoolulu Park at Hilo the next day. The Navy capped the series with their eighth win in the 11th game.
Army vs Navy All-Star Series played Maui, Hawaii and Kauai
| Game | Teams | Venue | Date | Attend. | Outcome |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Game 8 – Service World Series* | Army All-Stars vs Navy All Stars | Maui, HI | Wednesday, October 4, 1944 | 10,000 | 11-0 (Navy) |
| Game 9 – Service World Series | Army All-Stars vs Navy All Stars | Maui, HI | Thursday, October 5, 1944 | 10,000 | 6-5 (Army) |
| Game 10 – Service World Series | Army All-Stars vs Navy All Stars | Hoolulu Park, Hilo, HI | Friday, October 6, 1944 | 7,500 | 6-6 (Tie) |
| Game 11 – Service World Series* | Army All-Stars vs Navy All Stars | Kukuiolono Park, Kauai, HI | Sunday, October 15, 1944 | 20,000 | Navy (6-5) |
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