Dodger for a day: Airmen take the field at Dodger Stadium to celebrate Veterans Day

  • Published
  • By Kate Blais
  • 95th Air Base Wing Public Affairs
LOS ANGELES --  Congregating around the home plate batting cage at Dodger Stadium, veterans swayed with the motion of each warm-up pitch as they loosened up for batting practice. But these weren't veterans of Major League Baseball; they were veterans from Edwards and other military installations who gathered for Veterans Day Batting Practice at Dodger Stadium.

Taking in the vastness of the iconic park and sweet smell of the outfield grass, 16 Airmen from Edwards began their Veterans Day with cameras in hand, surrounded by over 56,000 empty seats and excited to have a chance to bat and throw at Dodger Stadium.

Surrounded by memories of baseball legends, Tech. Sgt. Lange Payne, Air Force Operational Test and Evaluation Center Detachment 5, surveyed the newly manicured grass of the nearly half century old ballpark as himself and fellow veterans conversed in small groups scattered throughout center field.

"This is the field where Sandy Koufax and Duke Snyder played," said Sergeant Payne. "I'm just like every other kid who wanted to be Ted Williams and Willie Mays, but we're out here now and it's just outstanding."

Each veteran had a chance to take batting practice at home plate hitting pitches from pros like retired Dodger catcher Steve Yeager. Eager service members stepped into the batter's box to try their hand at connecting with the pitcher's modest lobs.

Casual conversation and jokes were exchanged between military branches, traveling down the line, which began at the bats leaning up against the cage netting and ended at the warning track in front of the visitor's dugout.

"My dad was a huge Dodgers fan," said Col. Joe Torres, 95th Air Base Wing vice commander. "And back then, our version of the remote control was 'Son get up and change the channel.' So if Dad wanted to watch the Dodgers, we watched the Dodgers."

Standing with his hands in his pockets, eyeing each batter, Hall of Fame manager Tommy Lasorda had batting tips for everyone.

"Let your hands do the work," barked Mr. Lasorda. "See the ball, hit the ball!"

No matter how loud or how close to anyone's face Mr. Lasorda yelled his pointers, most of the participants relished in the opportunity to be coached by the Hall of Famer.

"That was an incredible experience getting coached by an icon," said Colonel Torres. "It was intimidating standing in the batter's box at Dodger Stadium with Tommy Lasorda watching your every movement. You also don't realize how far you have to hit the ball to get it over the fence!"

The day continued with guided tours of the team's clubhouse, hitting in the indoor batting cage and throwing in the bullpen. Everyone in attendance enjoyed an abundance of Dodger Dogs, popcorn and Cracker Jacks. Family members of each military participant made themselves at home in the seats behind home plate, snacking on ballpark food and watching their veteran play on a Major League Baseball field.

"I am so glad and honored to be a part of this event and that we can help these veterans and their families relax for a little while," said Ken Landreaux, former All-Star and Dodger center fielder.

This is the first year the Dodgers organization hosted batting practice for veterans on Veterans Day.

"Anyone would want a chance to say thanks," said Josh Rawitch, Vice President of Communications for the Dodgers. "It's our honor. It's the very least we could do."

The event began with opening remarks from Dodger radio announcer Charley Steiner, Dodger General Manager Ned Colletti and Hall of Fame Manager Tommy Lasorda.

"Ladies and gentlemen, it's a great day," began Mr. Lasorda. "I want you to know that I appreciate you and it's always a privilege to tell you that."

The day was completed with a home-run hitting contest. Two members from each Armed Forces branch participated in the event, slugging for four tickets to opening day against the San Francisco Giants next April. Although the Air Force didn't take home the tickets, Tech. Sgt. Brian Gorndt, Air Force Research Laboratory, and Master Sgt. Jermaine Washington, Air Force Flight Test Center, had among the top five longest hits.

As the sun dipped behind the stadium lights and the temperature dropped, the participants made their way back across center field, through the open outfield gate and to the parking lot.

"I've sat in the stands but had never gotten a chance to be on the field," said Sergeant Payne. "For guys like me who love baseball, this is a dream come true."