Chuck's baseball career ran from 1940 - 1952 and he played for both minor and major league teams, finishing up his career with the Pacific Coast League Los Angeles Angels.  Los Angeles was the perfect stepping stone to his next career as an actor. Even during his military service (1942-1945) Chuck played both basketball and baseball on weekends.  During the winter of 1949 Chuck played baseball on the American Team in Cuba and was chosen for the All Star team.

Chuck's baseball career wasn't without some injury.  In 1940, Chuck broke a finger and only played a few games because of it.  In 1948, he was hit in the mouth with a ball and needed 5 stitches.  Then in 1949, he was hit in the head, knocked unconscious and had to be carried off the field.  In March 1952, he hurt his right hand and in April he tore muscles in his left shoulder.  In July of the same year, Chuck injured his right shoulder in a play at 3rd base. When Chuck announced he would retire from baseball in February 1953, he stated that his back muscles that were badly injured in 1952 hadn't completely healed.

Those injuries didn't stop Chuck from loving baseball.  While filming the movie Geronimo, a baseball game was organized to raise money for a children's charity in Mexico.  The Apaches played in their costumes as did their opponents, the U.S. Cavalry.  The ump might have been a little taken aback at having Geronimo dispute a call.  Chuck played hard even for a charity game, he cut his knee open sliding into base and had to have stitches.

                                                                                                          

                                             

Chuck enjoyed sports and was an excellent golfer and organized charity golf tournaments for 15 years to raise money for children's charities.  He also participated in many other tournaments as well.