USS Yorktown to host minor league home run derby
May 17th, 2012 | Baseball Navy | Posted by Phil Creed
First we had college basketball on aircraft carriers. Now you can get the chance to see baseball — well, sort of — on a massive flattop.
It’s not an actual game, but ten minor leaguers will be crushing balls off the flightdeck of the USS Yorktown as part of a home run derby prior to the South Atlantic League’s All-Star Game in June. The S.A.L. has decided to have the first round of the derby on the ship prior to holding the finals in an actual stadium the following day.
The Essex-class carrier, which served in the fleet from 1943 to 1970, has been a museum in Charleston Harbor in South Carolina since 1975. During its time in the fleet, Yorktown served in the Pacific in World War II, with its aircraft helping to sink the legendary Japanese battleship Yamato in 1945. Yorktown was modernized multiple times after WWII and served off of Vietnam in the 1960s, and it also was one of the recovery ships for Apollo 8 in December 1968.
Harris makes Cardinals debut; people whine
May 1st, 2012 | Baseball Navy | Posted by Phil Creed
The St. Louis Dispatch reported today that Navy Lt. j.g. Mitch Harris made his pro pitching debut yesterday. The right-hander got in for an inning, allowing three hits and one run while striking out one batter, according to the Dispatch’s Birdland blog.
As we blogged yesterday, the Navy has denied Harris early release from active duty to play with the Cardinals. He’s still on leave, and will stay with the team until the end of May before reporting to duty again.
If you do head over to the Dispatch’s site, and I encourage you to, be sure to take a look at the comments under the Harris piece. As usual, some folks seem aghast at the very notion that an academy graduate would leave active duty early to play pro sports. These type of grumpy comments come up every time there’s a story about a service member leaving active duty early, whether it be Harris or Lt. j.g. Eric Kettani or Air Force Lt. Ben Garland.
Generally, these comments are misguided at best, and bitter and mean-spirited at worse. So before folks start screaming about how awful it is that Harris or Kettani or Garland are trying to leave active duty early, it’s worth getting a few facts straight:
1.The DoD has an official policy that allows certain officers with the ability to play pro sports (a tiny minority of service members) to leave active duty early. Read it here.
2. The DoD did not create this policy to give people an easy way out of their service commitments. Rightly or wrongly, somebody in the Pentagon saw a recruiting and public relations benefit to allowing service members with extraordinary athletic talents to pursue pro careers.
3. There are specific conditions in the DoD policy for service members allowed to leave early. These include serving in the Reserve or National Guard and repaying a prorated amount of the cost of the service member’s education. Officers who leave early are also subject to recall to active duty at any time.
4. DoD allows each of the services to use its own discretion when it comes to the policy. For instance, then-Navy Secretary Donald Winter decided in 2008 it was not appropriate to allow anyone to leave early during a time of war. So while Army Lt. Caleb Campbell was allowed to leave active-duty in 2010 to chase his NFL dreams, the Navy did not allow Harris or golfer Billy Hurley (now on the PGA tour) to use the DoD policy.
5. Last year, Navy Secretary Ray Mabus relaxed his service’s policy, at which time Harris again applied for early release.
So if folks are going to get on their soapbox about Harris or Kettani or Garland trying to play pro sports, it seems to me they should direct their energy toward the Pentagon. It is DoD’s official policy that allows service members to leave active duty and play sports. Individuals like Harris, Kettani and Garland are operating within the rules created by the DoD. Why denigrate them for testing the waters?
That’s not to say there aren’t some good discussions to be had on this issue. For instance, there is plenty of room to argue about the recruiting or PR benefits of allowing an officer to play pro sports early. Unless an athlete is a star player in the mold of David Robinson and Napoleon McCallum, does he really give the service that much visibility?
Do certain sports (minor league baseball jumps to mind) allow for better recruiting opportunities than others?
All of the people released under the policy so far are football players. But if someone can’t get off the practice squad of an NFL team, should they be recalled to active duty?
There’s also a question of how the services make their decision — for instance, why was Kettani allowed to leave but Harris (with more time in service than Kettani) denied? Shouldn’t anyone who can get a pro contract (and has served honorably) at least get a chance?
And most important of all: Can the internet survive without ad hominem attacks? Probably not, you big dummy.
Denied again by the Navy, Mitch Harris remains determined to make the majors
April 30th, 2012 | Baseball Navy | Posted by Phil Creed
On the same day the Navy announced it was releasing Lt. j.g. Eric Kettani to pursue a career in the NFL, the service also made a less-public decision about the pro baseball hopes of Lt. j.g. Mitch Harris, a Naval Academy grad who’s spent this spring with the St. Louis Cardinals organization.
Harris, drafted by the Cardinals in the 13th round in 2008 after graduating from the academy, was denied an early release by the Navy to pursue his baseball career. So for now he’ll finish up his leave with the Cardinals and report to Dam Neck, Va., at the end of May for his next assignment.
Harris said Friday that’s he’s disappointed by the decision, obviously, but understands that it was a possibility all along.
“As of right now it’s kind of just go with the flow and do as I’m told until I figure out what’s next,” Harris said from Jupiter, Fla., where he’s playing on the Cardinals extended spring training squad.
Harris is still looking for more information as to why the Navy denied his request, saying that he’s trying to talk to as many people as possible about his options going forward. So far, he said, he’s heard little explanation from the Navy.
Harris previously had been denied an early release in 2010, but decided to apply again last summer after the Navy loosened its policy on allowing academy grads and NROTC-commissioned officers to pursue pro careers “to showcase their talents on a national stage when in the best interests of the service.”
Making matters more confusing for Harris was Kettani’s release to play for the Patriots. While happy for his fellow Mid to be getting a shot at playing pro football, Harris was unclear what differentiated his case from Kettani’s.
“Eric and I are good friends. I’m pumped for him,” said Harris, who tweeted congratulations to his fellow SWO on the same day he got denied by the Navy. “In the same sense it’s hard, again, it’s been a dream for me [to get a shot at the majors] … I feel like I’m right there.”
Harris is scheduled to pitch his first game of the spring today after working past some arm soreness that slowed him earlier in the spring. Although he could keep in himself in top physical shape while serving on active-duty, keeping his throwing arm strong would be much harder.
“It got a little sore after a week or two,” Harris said. “But I’m back to where I feel like I need to be.”
Harris said he’s fed off the professionalism and work ethic of the more seasoned ballplayers, noting that the atmosphere is a complete change from anything he experienced while playing at the academy.
“You realize it’s not a game anymore. It’s your job,” Harris said . “Every single day when you come to the ballpark, that’s what you do for a living. … You learn how to carry yourself in a professional manner.”
The time spent with the Cardinals has only made Harris more determined to carve out a career in baseball.
“It’s been a challenge. It’s definitely been a motivation to [make the team],” Harris said. “If I just get the chance, I can prove to myself and everyone else that I have what it takes to be a professional baseball player.”
And although his quest is once again on hold, Harris said he’s still optimistic he can appeal the decision and win an early release from the Navy. Ideally, he would like to be able to report to the Cardinals at the beginning of next year’s spring training. Harris believes playing baseball would be a great public affairs and recruiting benefit for the Navy, and he’s hoping the situation may yet be worked out.
“There’s so many ways we can make this great for both sides,” Harris said.
Tuesday link central: National Guard invades Kansas (race track), lots of Air Force football, Navy bowl update
April 24th, 2012 | Air Force Army Baseball Football NASCAR Navy | Posted by Kevin Lilley
The Kansas National Guard assisted in the demolition of the Kansas Speedway track after Sunday's NASCAR Sprint Cup race. (AP photo by Orlin Wagner)
A handful of military-sports links for a Tuesday morning — weekend stuff you might’ve missed, some scheduling notes, and your typical mid-America military invasion (no, not this one):
1. Tank vs. track: When you absolutely, positively have to destroy a race track surface so it can be repaved and ready for a fall NASCAR Sprint Cup race, call in the National Guard. That’s what they did in Kansas on Sunday, using military equipment and know-how to break up the asphalt. As deployments go, you could do worse than the infield of a Sprint Cup race.
2. Falcon left behind: Missing from this video of President Obama honoring the Air Force Falcons football team at the White House on Monday is senior running back Asher Clark, who is not “meeting academy standards” and was not allowed to make the trip, according to this report. Clark stared 40 games over four seasons for the Falcons and is second on the all-time rushing list.
3. Better news from the sidelines: Another one from Frank Schwab at the Colorado Springs Gazette — read this feel-good story about former Air Force defensive coordinator Richard Bell returning to the sidelines at age 74 to help out a high school squad.
4. Speaking of former coaches: Despite years of therapy, Air Force football fans might still remember a 31-30 loss to nationally ranked Tennessee that started the 2006 season with a whimper. Why did head coach and College Football Hall of Famer Fisher DeBerry go for a late two-point conversion instead of playing it safe? He tells all here, and it sounds like he’d do it again.
5. Book your tickets: If Navy wins six games this year, it’s booked to play in the Kraft Fight Hunger Bowl, which will be held Saturday, Dec. 29 at AT&T Park — formerly Pacific Bell Park, formerly SBC Park … it’s safest just to go with “The Field Where the San Francisco Giants Play Baseball.” The game will be broadcast somewhere on the ESPN family of networks and is scheduled to include a team from the Pacific-12 Conference as well as the Mids.
6. Baseball milestone: The Army Black Knights, thanks in part to a Saturday no-hitter by senior southpaw Logan Lee, rank 30th in the nation in the National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association poll — a first for the program. Army (33-9) is a perfect 16-0 in the Patriot League and will face Marist on Wednesday.
Academy sports update: Wojcik’s new job, Army baseball sweeps Navy, football schedule strengths
April 2nd, 2012 | Air Force Army Baseball Basketball Football Navy | Posted by Kevin Lilley
Naval Academy standout (and former assistant coach) Doug Wojcik will take over the top job at the College of Charleston this season. (US Presswire photo by Marvin Gentry)
Three quick academy sports hits to start your week:
1. Back on the bench. Doug Wojcik, who set a variety of Navy assists records while playing alongside all-everything center David Robinson and later served as an assistant coach with the Mids, was hired by the College of Charleston over the weekend to take over for retiring head coach Bobby Cremins. Wojcik was fired last month after seven seasons at Tulsa, compiling a 140-92 record but never reaching the NCAA tournament. Speaking of all-everything college players, Wojcik will be replaced at Tulsa by Kansas assistant Danny Manning.
2. Four-game sweep. There weren’t 90,000 fans in attendance and CBS didn’t carry the contests on network television, but it’s still an Army-Navy rivalry — only this time, the Black Knights can claim some serious bragging rights. Army started its Patriot League baseball season by sweeping a two-day, four-game series at Annapolis by scores of 2-0, 6-2, 9-5 and 7-2. Sunday’s opener went nine innings (college doubleheader games are scheduled for seven), but Army senior Zach Price’s two-run triple keyed a four-run rally to give the win to the Black Knights (19-7, 4-0 Patriot League). One of the Black Knights’ hottest bats belongs to freshman Harold Earls, who’s riding a nine-game hitting streak and has reached base safely in 23 straight contests. The losses dropped Navy to 11-16 on the year (0-4 Patriot League).
3. An “Army Strong” schedule? Over at the Colorado Springs (Colo.) Gazette, Frank Schwab points us to strength-of-schedule rankings released — and immediately ridiculed — by college football guru Phil Steele. In his post, Steele reveals Navy ranks dead last among the 124 Football Bowl Subdivision schools in SOS as measured by the NCAA, with Air Force at No. 121 and Army way, way up there at No. 35. But Steele only passes along the official figures so he can explain how inferior they are to his yet-to-be released power rankings because the NCAA bases its numbers on last year’s records; top recruiting classes or departing superstars aren’t factored in. Curious who’s playing who when? Bookmark these here sites, presented weakest schedule first.
He’s hoping for the call
March 6th, 2012 | After Action Baseball Navy | Posted by Sean Smyth
Former Navy pitcher Mitch Harris teaches the finer points of bunting during a 2009 baseball clinic in Panama City, while on the U.S. Southern Command Partnership Baseball Tour. (Navy photo)
Almost four years after getting drafted, former Naval Academy pitcher Mitch Harris is getting onto the field with the pros.
Lt. j.g. Harris, who served as training officer aboard the guided-missile frigate Carr last year, is taking advantage of time between deployments to join the St. Louis Cardinals’ minor-leaguers at spring training.
Harris, drafted in the 13th round in 2008, is hoping the Navy will give the OK to pitch in the minors this year. He has one year left on his service commitment.
You can read more on Harris’ story here (for recent developments) and here (how things shook out in 2008).
Army 2B Zach Price up for national award
March 1st, 2012 | After Action Army Baseball | Posted by Sean Smyth
U.S. Military Academy second baseman Zach Price was recently named one of 30 candidates for the Lowe’s Collegiate Senior CLASS Award, according to the Pensacola (Fla.) News Journal.
Price, a senior at Army, is a native of Cantonment, Fla., and one of the Black Knights’ captains. He entered March hitting .303 after his first six games of the 2012 season.
A major in systems engineering, Price started the season with a .318 career batting average.
The award is presented each year to the outstanding senior NCAA Division I Student-Athlete of the Year across 10 different sports, according to the award’s website. To make the cut for the award, candidates must have notable achievements within the community, the classroom, their character and on the athletic field.
The Black Knights are 3-3 through their first six games, and they open at three-game set at Maryland-Baltimore County at 5 p.m. Friday.
One-armed soldier makes sweet snag at Yankees game
June 27th, 2011 | Afghanistan Army Baseball | Posted by Phil Creed
Congrats to Staff Sgt. Michael Kacer, an Army National Guardsman who lost his left arm in Afghanistan, who’s getting plenty of attention after catching a foul ball with his hat at a New York Yankees game on Friday. Read this story to learn more about Kacer’s remarkable story, and watch the SportCenter interview below to hear it in his own words.
My favorite part of this whole episode might be Kacer immediately giving the ball to his nephew. This soldier is a class act all-around.
Note to grown men who still bring gloves to MLB games: If this doesn’t shame you into stopping that nonsense, then you simply have no self-respect.
Marine lieutenant colonel offends gentle sensibilities of Phillies fans
June 22nd, 2011 | Baseball Marine Corps | Posted by Phil Creed
Some members of the notoriously polite and refined Philadelphia Phillies fanbase are outraged — OUTRAGED! — that a Marine O-5 would dare joke about using a tank to stop pitching ace Roy Halladay. Saying something like this is terribly insensitive because, as we all know, tank attacks on major league pitchers are an epidemic that should never be joked about. The nerve of this guy!
Anyway, here’s how this mess got started: Lt. Col. Shane Tomko, the Marine in charge of Marine Week St. Louis, was a guest in the booth last night as the Phillies played the hometown Cardinals. While talking about the week’s festivities, he appeared to give a compliment to Halladay in the form of an awkward joke.
“I’ll tell you what, with that M1A1 Abrams we got across the street, if Halladay keeps on pitching well, we can fix that with one round pretty quickly,” Tomko said.
I know, I know. Somebody go get the smelling salts. So outrageous.
The announcer seemed caught off guard by the joke (granted, it was awkward and hardly laugh-out-loud funny), saying, “I’m sure you could. I don’t know if we should say that, but you just did.”
Tomko then said, “I can say whatever I want because I’m a war fighter, and this is the Cardinals Nation the last time I checked.”
That last comment caught the ire of the Crossing Broad blog, which has video of the incident. Most fans weighing in in the comments section have hammered Tomko.
A writer for PhillyBurbs.com also took exception to Tomko, calling the Marine a “TV tough guy” and saying “[Tomko] should keep that smack talk in the barracks. Or better yet, Colonel Tomko should dress down to his civilian duds, take a walk down to the Phillies clubhouse and say it to Doc’s face. Let’s get that awkward exchange on camera.”
Marine Corps Times writer Dan Lamothe has more about the incident at our Battle Rattle blog.
Submarine horn replaces Natstown HR fireworks
April 26th, 2011 | Baseball | Posted by Mike Hoffman
The Washington Nationals have scrapped fireworks this year and begun celebrating homeruns and wins with a submarine horn. Makes sense for a baseball team whose stadium is not much further from the Washington Navy Yard than a Jayson Werth throw from right field.
The Washington Post’s intrepid reporter Dan Steinberg has the story. Steinberg is incredible at tracking down the back story on most lingering sports questions you and a buddy might debate in the stands or sitting at a bar watching a game.
“Wait, didn’t they used to have fireworks last year? What happened? Now, all I hears is this bloody horn,” one Nat diehard says to another sitting at local watering hole Lola’s.
“Maybe you’ve just had one too many Dogfish Heads tonight,” the other Nats diehard responds.
But Steinberg doesn”t settle, and as usual, he got to the bottom of this pressing story.
Here’s the quick brief of what he found out: The Nats front office wanted to provide a unique quirk for the stadium’s Navy Yard location. Hence, the submarine horn, which is hooked up to the stadium’s sound system, because, well, submarine’s are pretty freaking sweet. Even a Zoomie can admit that, although that same Zoomie would rather not spend six months at a time without seeing sunlight, but we digress.
The Nats didn’t nix the fireworks because of budget issues like some Natstown residents suspected considering the 7-year deal the Nats gave to Werth to snatch him from the slums of Philly. They did it to add the unquestionable coolness of a sub’s horn. We at After Action commend the move as Military Times’ resident Nats fans.