US Military Vs. Cape League All-Stars Was A Display of 'Transcendent Americana'

Anyone in attendance at either game staged last weekend between a collection of Cape League ballplayers and the United States Military All Stars was treated to a beautiful evening of baseball in an atmosphere of transcendent Americana.
      The two game exhibition series, played Saturday night (June 9) at Chatham's Veterans' Field and Sunday night (June 10) at Eldredge Park in Orleans, signaled the return of Cape Cod League baseball. Regular season action in the nation's finest amateur summer league begins this evening, ( Friday, June 15) with a full slate of games across the Cape. With many of the nation's best college ballplayers just arriving on the Cape this week, and with some yet to arrive, last weekend's games against the Military All Stars showcased some of the 'temporary' players striving to win a coveted roster spot.
      Perhaps more importantly, the games served to showcase the efforts and outstanding character of the men and women of the United States Armed Forces.
      The United States Military All Stars, a combined forces team representing all the armed sevices, visit 23 states during their 18th annual Red, White and Blue Tour of America.The players participate during off-duty time, while on leave; cover their own expenses and decline government funding.The Cape is one of the favorite stops for these players. "I've been hearing and reading about the Cape League for years," said SPC Javier Garcia of the U.S. Army after Saturday's game. "It's an honor to play here." Equally honored were Cape baseball fans who showed appreciation for the keen competitive efforts of both teams, knowing that the final scores,( 3-1 and 8-1 victories for the Cape Leaguers), were not what these games were about. These two nights were all about celebration: a celebration of America and the men and women who defend it; a celebration of baseball and of community pride.

     Entering Veterans' Field in Chatham on Saturday evening, my breath is taken away by the stunning visual beauty of it all. Each of the Cape League ballparks has its own charm. In a recent survey, Baseball America chose Eldredge Park in Orleans as the nation's finest summer collegiate ballpark and Sunday night's game would confirm for me that the title is richly deserved. However, Chatham's ballpark takes a backseat to none and deserves equal billing. An immaculately manicured verdant field is viewed from a cozy grandstand nestled on a small surrounding hillside. A vintage wooden pressbox,sporting a fresh coat of green paint overlooks a scene replete with red, white and blue bunting draped all about. An old New England church steeple pokes above the trees over my right shoulder. A spiffy twin engine firehouse sits across the street from the centerfield fence. All of this with a Main Street address and all of it bathed in the beautiful golden-tinged hues known to painters and photographers who try to capture it as 'Cape light.' Ray Kinsella's diamond in an Iowa cornfield has nothing on this place.
      On the field, my eye is first caught by the arresting sight of baseball players in camouflage uniforms. I quickly decide the Military team's uniforms are pleasing and fitting to the occasion and purpose.
      They offer a nice contrast to the colorful variety of the Cape Leaguers' uniforms. A quick glance at the team rosters reveals another contrast. The average age of the Military players seems to be about 27 or 28. The Cape League players are of course, college undergraduates, average age about 20. The Military roster lists past college, and for some; pro affiliation. This reminds me that most of the military players at one time harbored baseball dreams similar to the dreams now being pursued by the Cape League players. The men of the Military team, have for the most part, set aside those dreams for a calling. A call to duty, honor and country.
      The estimated crowd of 1,100 are townsfolk and tourists, summer residents and daytrippers, young couples on dates and seniors holding hands. Old friends renew acquaintance and share stories of family. Lots of kids roam about, many waving little American flags. Summer on Cape Cod has now truly begun and the town of Chatham puts its best face forward.
      The pre-game ceremonies are quite moving. Veterans of World War II and Korea comprise one of two honor guards presenting colors. A local 12-year-old boy, Dylan DeSilva, is honored for his extraordinary efforts in founding and running a non-profit organization, Cape Cod Cares for Our Troops. With the help of family and friends, Dylan sends weekly care packages to our soldiers in Afghanistan and Iraq.
      During the game, I share some time with Bob from Medway, a retired schoolteacher who had taken up his customary position in a beach chair behind the net backstop. "I had been coming down to the Cape for many summers before I ever went to a Cape League game. Finally I went to a game and I've been hooked ever since. I came down this weekend supposedly to work on my house, but here I am." Bob leaned back with the contented smile of a man enjoying life just as it is.
      In the ninth inning, a native Cape Codder takes the mound for the military team. Ensign Brian Higgins of Centerville and the USS Hawaii throws a 1-2-3 inning with a strikeout to the delight of the crowd. As a teenager, Brian worked as a statistician for the Cape League and always hoped to play in it. After a baseball career and graduation at Washington and Lee University, he recently earned a commission as a U.S. Naval officer. He was allowed a small window of opportunity to play in one game before reporting for his first ship duty. It must have been an emotional homecoming for Brian and his family.
      Brian's short stint with the Military team is not that unusual. The competitive brand of baseball this team plays is very commendable considering that over 100 players are cycled through the roster during the year due to their calls to duty. Some players are on the team for months, some for weeks, some for one game, all at the whim of command. "What a privilege it is to be here," said Javier Garcia, the burly shortstop who is stationed at Guantanamo Bay. "It's tough duty and I have to go back next week."
      In beautiful Eldrege Park the next night, as the rematch unfolded before an enthusiastic crowd lounging on a grass terraced hillside, I took a walk down the leftfield line and found a park bench just beyond the foul pole that gave me a nice perspective on the game and a chance to talk to Sgt.Patrick Lavey, USMC,( First Battalion, Eighth Marines), and tonight working as bullpen catcher. Sgt. Lavey's unit was the first into Faluja a few years ago during Operation Phantom Fury. "I've been with the team since April and I am going to be able to finish my tour of duty playing ball. I'm so thankful to my commanding officer. Being here on Cape Cod is like a slice of heaven." After four years service, Brian will be leaving the Corps for civilian life on August 20th. He looks forward to finishing college at Coastal Carolina and to a career in the hotel industry.
      Toni Tyler is a native Cape Codder, although you would never guess so, listening to her southern belle accent. "I spent the first seven months of my life on the Cape," she said, while watching her second Military game in as many nights on Sunday." My dad was stationed at Otis AFB, so without the military, I wouldn't be here. We moved to MIssissippi when I was seven months old and that's where I grew up. I spent most of my adult life in Tennesee until two years ago. That's when I came up here for a six month stay and I'm still here." Toni helps manage the Hawthorne Inn, which hosted two of the Military team members. "It is such a privilege to host them. We are enjoying the freedom of a baseball game on this beautiful night because of what they do."
      Kayleen Rosato is a born and bred Orleans native and a former star athlete in three sports at Nauset High. The gentleman trumps the reporter in me and I don't ask her graduating class, although she looks as if she could still easily finish a triathlon, another sport in which she excelled. She and her family are hosting pitcher Sean Maguire of the U.S. Navy for this weekend as they await assignment of which Orleans Cardinal they will host for the summer. It will be their eighth season as a host family. Their Cardinal of last year, Eric Surcamp, is trying out for Team USA.. "We stay in in touch with our former players and follow their careers and their lives as friends. It's been a lot of fun for me and the kids." Tonight, her daughter Heather is having a lot of fun as batgirl for the Military Team.
      Speaking with Lt. Ron Stahl, Navy pilot and Officer in Charge of the Military All-Stars after Sunday night's game it is easy to see why those who host young men such as this are so impressed.
"Playing here on the Cape is a lot of fun. The people are great and it really is an honor to compete against these players. This is our job. But it's all about the love of the game."