Story Category: Defense »

On Saturday, July 11, The Southern Maryland Blue Crabs hosted a marquee baseball event where the US Military All-Stars Baseball team played the Latin American All-Stars to help raise money for Project Healing Waters Fly Fishing.

Project Healing Waters Fly Fishing was created to help the physical and emotional rehabilitation of disabled active duty military personnel and veterans. The organization uses fly fishing and fly tying education and outings as part of the rehabilitation process.

“Speaking for the Project Healing Waters organization, we are most grateful for the enthusiastic support that the Southern Maryland Blue Crabs have extended to our project by hosting this July 11 benefit ballgame,” said President Ed Nicholson, a retired Navy Captain.

Tickets to the game were only $8 and a full $4 of each ticket went directly to Project Healing Waters Fly Fishing. To top off the fun, tickets for active duty military personnel were free for the event.

The U.S. Military All-Stars and the “Red, White, and Blue Tour” are currently celebrating their twentieth season by visiting over 40 states and eight countries, competing against nearly 100 professional and summer collegiate teams, including the Boston Red Sox earlier this spring.

The team is comprised of baseball players serving in the Air Force, Army, Coast Guard, Marines, National Guard and Navy. It’s fitting that there is a Marylander on the U.S. Military All-Stars team, considering Project Healing Waters Fly Fishing, despite its nationally renowned reputation, has such strong local ties.

“When our organization incorporated as a nonprofit we did it in Maryland and chose our headquarters to be in La Plata. We are now a national organization with over 70 programs in operation at VA hospitals and other military posts, but our roots remain here in this area,” said Nicholson.

The game was close all evening, with the Latin All-stars getting out ahead early 4-2.  The US Military All-stars battled back to tie the score 4 -4 by mid game, but the Latin All-stars would score another two runs and hold of the US team in the end. 
 
The All-stars players didn't let a fan go home that wasn't happy, as they signed baseballs, bats and whatever else was brought to them.  They even spent their time in the dugout singing balls for kids throughout the entire game while they waited to bat.  The team even raffled off a jersey during an intermission.