DAV hosts ballgame for injured troops.

Under an azure blue sky, on the manicured green fields of baseball, 14 disabled soldiers and Marines played ball at a professional ballpark on May 4, for most the first time since being wounded in Iraq.

The soldiers and Marines, undergoing rehabilitative therapy at military hospitals, were hosted by the DAV at Prince William County Stadium, the home of the Washington Nationals Class A team, the Potomac Nationals, in Woodbridge, Va.

"It was truly a heartwarming game," said National Service Director Randy Reese. "On the field, they enjoyed the freedom of baseball, our national pastime, for which they sacrificed so much to defend."

The service members played to a 1414 tie. Following the game, they were treated to a hearty lunch at a nearby restaurant.

"The joy they exhibited was exhilarating," said Reese. "They had the time of their lives, and played with abandon, always being careful to ensure that their wounded brothers would not injure themselves."

"It was touching to see amputee Spec. Noe Santos bat, standing on his only leg, and proudly wearing a New York Yankees jersey," said Reese. "When he hit a line drive, catcher Spec. Teddy Woody ran pushing Santos' wheelchair to first base. Santos also played second base while in the chair."

Spec. Tim Taylor, who lost his left hand while serving with the U.S. Army 3rd Infantry Division in Baghdad, played wearing his treasured St. Louis Cardinals jersey. Tim didn't slide into a base because he wanted to keep his jersey pristine.

Professional baseball jerseys were donated by Major League Baseball teams and jersey manufacturer Majestic Athletics, and equipment was donated by the DAV, Rawlings, Louisville Sluggers and the Potomac Nationals.

The game was recorded for DAV's planned new video about the contributions of Major League Baseball players in supporting the wounded veterans of Iraq and Afghanistan.

Sporting the jersey of their favorite Major League teams, the soldiers and Marines clubbed home runs and made sparkling plays. Runners were thrown out, while others stole second base. There were mound conferences, close calls at home, and the occasional dispute and kicking of the dirt over whether a runner was safe or out.

Attended by members of the Prince William County Parks Authority, the Potomac Nationals front office staff and DAV officials, the cheers were commonplace and the applause genuine and heartfelt.

"It was great," said one of the young wounded service members. "Let's do it again tomorrow."