Summer Baseball Update From Mitch Brown
6/19/2007 12:00:00 AM | Baseball
June 19, 2007
Editors Note: Several former and current Air Force Falcon baseball players are in summer baseball leagues throughout the world this summer. From time to time, several of the players will be writing for www.goAirForceFalcons.com to shed a light on the summer baseball experience for cadets and graduates of the Air Force Academy.
This week, 2007 graduate Lt. Mitch Brown gives us an update on his experience with the U.S. Military All-Star Baseball Team.
Dear Falcons and Falcon Fans,
Just one month ago I finished my four years as a baseball player at the United States Air Force Academy. Those four years were truly a blessing. When I was asked to continue my baseball career by playing this summer with the U.S. Military All-Stars, it was an opportunity that I certainly could not give up.
When I met up with the team just two short weeks ago, I immediately realized that our duties go far beyond playing baseball. We have been working hard on the baseball field but even harder off the field with the local communities. Its a great feeling to be with such a wonderful group of guys and be able to represent the military the way we do.
In my two weeks on the team I have had the privilege of playing ball with members of every branch of the military and nearly every rank within them. I take every day as a learning experience.
On June 8th while playing baseball in the famous Cape Cod Baseball League, I got a call from my best friend Karl Bolt letting me know that he was taken in the 15th round by the Phillies. Karl is an amazing baseball player and an even better young officer. I just want to take this time to let the Falcon Nation know that our support of him will be crucial as he chases this dream.
Karl now has the unique opportunity to chase two dreams, playing pro baseball and serving his country as an Air Force officer. I am very proud of what the Falcon Baseball Class of 2007 has already accomplished with Karl playing pro ball, Joe Peterson ready to head off to Japan for his first assignment, Geno Salazar on his way to casual and then pilot training and I will head off to Barksdale Air Force Base after I finish this tour with the U.S. Military All-Stars.
As far as what has been going on with the Military All-Stars: I had the opportunity to throw in relief against the Cape Cod All-Stars a couple of weeks ago. Playing in Cape Cod has been a dream of mine since I was a little leaguer! Karl and I both wanted to play in the Cape Cod League during college. That did not become a reality but I feel blessed that I finally got to fulfill that dream.
I threw two innings giving up one hit and no runs. With that outing I worked my way into the starting rotation and I have had two starts up to this point. I carried a no-hitter into the sixth inning during my first start and retired the first 16 hitters last night. I am just glad to be able to keep my team in these ball games and give us a chance to win.
Many of my teammates have just returned from overseas or will be making the trip after this tour, so they certainly deserve the opportunity to win some ball games!! The team has recently voted and named 1st Lt. Reid Lamson our team Captain (USAFA grad class of 2005). Reid has been a great leader and continues to perform well on the field.
We will continue our Red, White and Blue Tour of America until July 6th at which point the team will head back to their respective assignments. I ask that your thoughts and prayers be with this team as we travel the country playing this great game.
LT Mitch Brown USAFA Class of 2007
