WATERTOWN, N.Y. -- The U.S. Military All-Stars is a collection of the nation's best baseball players that also serve their country. The team travels all over the world playing games, and this weekend stopped near Fort Drum to play the Watertown Wizards and this charity softball game.
"It's fun, but it's a lot of work too. As you might imagine, the team turns over quite a bit. With the guys paying all their expenses to do it, it's even more. It's really a second job," Terry Alvord, the U.S. Military All-Stars Manager said.
"It kind of gives us a break from our regular jobs and stuff like that. It's a break, but at the same time it does wonders for us and the communities we go to," Blake Gerlikowski, a left handed pitcher from the Naval Air Station in Jacksonville, Fla., said.
"Because of the patriotism and support that we garner here this is really been one of our best places to come," Alvord added about the team's visit to Watertown.
The team often visits V.F.W.'s, VA's and children's hospitals in the towns they visit.
The U.S. Military is known for having quality football programs. But did you know the armed forces have a very good baseball team as well? The U.S. Military All-Stars, made up of players from each branch of service, was in Watertown this weekend. And as our Brian Dwyer reports, the team does a lot more than just play ball.
But make no mistake, when these guys lace up the cleats, they're playing to win. They played the Wizards Saturday and the game ended in a 10 -10 tie.
"It's really good for us as a team as well. We get to bring a first class organization here and the Fort Drum team here today. It's a just a good event for us to have,” Watertown Wizards General Manager Todd Kirkey said of playing the All-Stars and getting that valuable experience against quality competition.
Sunday was more about fun, the charity softball game and home run derby. Guys were hitting softballs over the baseball fence, some going as far as 400 feet.
"These are some big guys. They obviously know what they're doing over there. It's a lot tougher to hit a softball out of the park,” Wizards 2nd baseman Jake Gorman said.
"We have a lot of fun doing it. We had sponsors here all week who were here helping out. We had employees here helping out. We like to show support for the troops,” Brian Cisco of the Northern Federal Credit Union, who helped put on the event, said.
Also as part of the charity events, there was supposed to be a benefit RE/MAX baseball drop out of a hot air balloon for the Children's Miracle Network.
That unfortunately had to be canceled, but it will take place later this summer at the Wizards Fan Appreciation Night.
Proceeds from the Home Run Derby event go to the AUSA Fallen and Wounded Warrior Fund.