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Cadets play ball

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Kevin Williams
  • 20th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
SHAW AIR FORCE BASE, S.C. --  He steps to the plate, knocks the dirt off his cleats and stares down the pitcher. The pitcher looks to his catcher for the sign with one thought going through his head -- "get this guy out." The pitch is delivered. He steps into the pitch keeping his eye on the ball. In one swift motion, using every muscle in his body, he swings and drives the ball past the infield for hit. Earlier that day, he was learning how to become an Air Force officer.

Two U.S. Air Force Academy cadets serving their 3-week "Operation Air Force" tour at Shaw, not only have an opportunity to become Air Force officers, but they also play in a baseball league during their off duty time.

Cadets Tyler McBride, second baseman and outfielder, and Alex Truesdale, pitcher, play for the USAFA Falcons baseball team. Since their college season is over and they are serving their 3-week tour at Shaw during the summer break, they are currently honing their skills by playing baseball for the Columbia Blowfish of the Coastal Plain League -- a collegiate summer league.

"This is something the academy baseball team put together," McBride said. "They wanted to send us to bases where we could play in collegiate summer leagues. Most of the upper classmen are in similar situations."

In fact, they will have a chance to play against some of their Falcon teammates as the season progresses. Two of their Falcon teammates play for the Fayetteville Swampdogs while serving their time at Pope AFB, N.C.

"They've been talking a little bit of trash to us," said McBride with a laugh. "The two guys (at Fayetteville) are pitchers and said they are going to throw at me. But I think I can take them."

Since they joined the Blowfish after the CPL season began, they have only been given a few opportunities to play. They said they expect that to change as they become more familiar with the team.

"So far, we only got to play a little bit in our last game," Truesdale said, who recently pitched a complete inning. "The coach is letting us get our feet wet. Hopefully, (in the future) we'll get in there more often."

One of the biggest differences between the CPL and NCAA is the use of wooden bats. The purpose of the bats is to familiarize collegiate players to the same bats professionals use as opposed to the aluminum bats used in the college game, which can be quite a challenge, McBride said.

"It's definitely different," he said. "It takes a lot of 'pop' out of the ball."

Since the Blowfish feature players from 17 different colleges, they said getting the feel of the team has been an adjustment.

"It's different than baseball at the academy," said Truesdale. "From my perspective, the academy team was more controlled -- the coached picked the pitches for you and everything is done for you. Here, it runs on a system of how the players play together. It seems a little more relaxed."

"Everyone is playing to improve their skills," said McBride. "At the same time, it is a summer league ... everyone is more relaxed, but they all want to win and play to the best of their ability."

Since they don't attend a "traditional" university, the cadets encounter a lot of questions about their school from inquisitive teammates.

"Most of them are interested," McBride said. "They ask what the academy is like. When we tell them, they seem surprised about how different it is."

One of the early highlights of their time with the Blowfish was how star-struck kids are when they meet them.

"They had 'Play Catch with the Blowfish' and about 200 kids showed up to play catch with us," said McBride. "They all wanted our autograph ... it was pretty cool. We signed their hats, bats and gloves ... a few of them asked for my batting gloves, which are my only pair."

Truesdale is slated to play with the Blowfish through June and McBride plans to play throughout the rest of the season. Both cadets are on course to graduate from the academy in 2010.