thedrifter
05-09-08, 08:20 AM
Clearwater Marine wages baseball comeback in Iraq
Camp Taqaddum, Iraq - It's been almost ten years since Marine Lance Corporal Scott Halisky threw a pitch in pro baseball. The dream of doing it again has just begun in Iraq.
"Baseball is one of my favorite passions," Scott tells me in an interview from his post at Camp Taqaddum, about 50 miles west of Bagdad.
After a brief minor league career shortened by injury, Scott joined the Marines. But last summer, he pitched for fun, and the comeback was on for the 30-year-old Mortuary Affairs Specialist.
"Right now, trying to throw between 40 and 50 seperate throws a day," says Scott, a right-handed pitcher.
His quest has energized his fellow marines, who actively help him train.
Says LCpl William Perkins, who supports Scott's quest: "I'd definately rock a major league baseball jersey with 'Halisky' on it, just 'cause he's my friend."
Cpl Robert Rens adds, "It's quite possibly the second most fulfilling thing that's going on out here," says Robert. "You know aside from the overall theme of preserving freedom and trying to establish a democratic government out here in Iraq. It's got to be very high to the second most fullfilling thing that we're doing out here."
"If anything, it makes the time fly by a little faster, having something that reminds us of home," adds Scott. "I'm having a blast."
When he gets back here to the states this fall, Scott plans on playing in a wooden bat league. That's actually the same way he was signed the first time by the Orioles. Whatever it takes, Scott says, to get a scout to come out and watch him play.
"They might say I'm old," says Scott. "But I'll come right back and say 'why don't you wait and see what I can do first then make your decision.' If I can't do it, fine. I'll still play ball in other leagues, but if I can perform, then I should be given a shot."
In the meantime, a strong faith, family, and friends keep Scott working for that diamond dream.
"Contract with the marine corps for another year and a half so I still have to honor that contract," says Scott who's in the Reserves, "(I'll) just continue playing and see where it goes."
Scott grew up in Clearwater, one of 11 children, and plans to return to the area for a long visit this fall. His home military base is in Anacostia, D.C.
Ellie
Camp Taqaddum, Iraq - It's been almost ten years since Marine Lance Corporal Scott Halisky threw a pitch in pro baseball. The dream of doing it again has just begun in Iraq.
"Baseball is one of my favorite passions," Scott tells me in an interview from his post at Camp Taqaddum, about 50 miles west of Bagdad.
After a brief minor league career shortened by injury, Scott joined the Marines. But last summer, he pitched for fun, and the comeback was on for the 30-year-old Mortuary Affairs Specialist.
"Right now, trying to throw between 40 and 50 seperate throws a day," says Scott, a right-handed pitcher.
His quest has energized his fellow marines, who actively help him train.
Says LCpl William Perkins, who supports Scott's quest: "I'd definately rock a major league baseball jersey with 'Halisky' on it, just 'cause he's my friend."
Cpl Robert Rens adds, "It's quite possibly the second most fulfilling thing that's going on out here," says Robert. "You know aside from the overall theme of preserving freedom and trying to establish a democratic government out here in Iraq. It's got to be very high to the second most fullfilling thing that we're doing out here."
"If anything, it makes the time fly by a little faster, having something that reminds us of home," adds Scott. "I'm having a blast."
When he gets back here to the states this fall, Scott plans on playing in a wooden bat league. That's actually the same way he was signed the first time by the Orioles. Whatever it takes, Scott says, to get a scout to come out and watch him play.
"They might say I'm old," says Scott. "But I'll come right back and say 'why don't you wait and see what I can do first then make your decision.' If I can't do it, fine. I'll still play ball in other leagues, but if I can perform, then I should be given a shot."
In the meantime, a strong faith, family, and friends keep Scott working for that diamond dream.
"Contract with the marine corps for another year and a half so I still have to honor that contract," says Scott who's in the Reserves, "(I'll) just continue playing and see where it goes."
Scott grew up in Clearwater, one of 11 children, and plans to return to the area for a long visit this fall. His home military base is in Anacostia, D.C.
Ellie