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(NORFOLK, Va.) -- The Virginia sun was sweltering when the two minor league baseball teams took to the field. The smell of sizzling hotdogs filled the air, and the vendors were selling peanuts and crackerjacks all around the ball park. As the teams warmed up, the sound of baseballs hitting leather mitts could be heard from every corner and the crack of a bat hitting a ball echoed across the field.
Sailors assigned to the aircraft carrier USS George H.W. Bush (CVN 77) attended a Tides game May 30 at Harbor Park in Norfolk, Virginia. The event was organized by GHWB’s Morale, Welfare and Recreation department which is dedicated to Sailors having a variety of activities for off-duty leisure time.
The game was between two International League baseball teams, the Norfolk Tides and the Columbus Clippers. The Tides have been playing since 1961 and won the Triple-A World Series in 1983. They are currently a farm team for the Baltimore Orioles.
Before the game, a color guard team made up of GHWB Sailors were given the honor of carrying the ensign out onto the field for the singing of the National Anthem.
“It is a very positive thing to be able to come out to the game and be able to support the command as part of the color guard,” said Hospital Corpsman 3rd Class Jerald Pope, from Chicago, Illinois.
The color guard wasn’t the only way Bush Sailors could actively participate in the game. One Sailor got the opportunity to participate in a baseball time-honored tradition.
“I was selected as Senior Sailor of the Year, and I was asked to throw out the first pitch of the Tides game,” said Boatswain’s Mate 1st Class, Paris Unique Freeman, from Clarksville, Tennessee. “It means a lot just being out there in front of everybody, knowing that my command has enough trust in me to be able to do something this awesome and honor the United States Navy. It was an awesome experience.”
Events like this are an all-hands effort, and are only possible with the support of dedicated volunteers. One of these volunteer groups from the Aviation Ordnance Association took charge of a hotdog stand.
“It’s a great service to the command,” said Aviation Ordnanceman 1st Class Winston Daniels from Douglass, Kansas. “We’re honored as association members, and we are proud to do it, especially for the community.”
The Tides and Clippers finished the fourth inning tied 4-4. In the fifth inning, the Clippers began surpassing the Tides, going on to win 12-5.
MWR continues to provide Sailors with opportunities to purchase discounted tickets to baseball games and other local events. Visit your command Morale, Welfare and Recreation department to purchase tickets and find out more information.
| Date Taken: | 06.03.2019 |
| Date Posted: | 12.11.2019 16:23 |
| Story ID: | 355346 |
| Location: | NORFOLK, VA, US |
| Web Views: | 23 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, High Tide, by PO2 Michael Flesch, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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