He began playing baseball for clubs in Mattoon and Shelbyville, Illinois, in the early 1910s before he enlisted in the United States Army in 1911.

The deal was instigated by Burlington president Thomas C. Hayden, who also served as a scout for the American League's St. Louis Browns.

[5] At the time of the trade, Baichley had a 2.07 earned run average and a 15-2 win-loss record, winning 15 games in a row before the deal.

Entering the game in the seventh inning in relief of Earl Hamilton, he allowed two runs, one of which was earned, and struck out two hitters as St. Louis lost 7–1.

[19] In May 1917, he left organized baseball to volunteer at an officers' training camp in Fort Sheridan, Illinois, and registered for the World War I draft.

Baichley served in the 363rd Infantry as part of the 91st Division, but was solely stationed in the United States, where he continued to play baseball.

[2]In 1923, illness and a death in his family prevented Baichley from playing until mid-season, when he joined a club based in Canton, Ohio.