United States Navy Baseball

The modern United States Navy Baseball Club was founded by retired U.S. Navy Commander Terry Allvord in Pensacola, Florida in 1990 before moving to San Diego for the 1993 season. This program is the leader in armed forces baseball in the modern era. Allvord went on to establish over 40 single-service armed forces teams in every branch of the military around the globe. Tryouts are held every year to form the most talented military and first responders team to compete as the U.S. Military All-Stars during the annual "Red, White and Blue Tour" The team features active duty, reserve personnel, Veterans, Delayed Entry Program personnel. The continuation of two wars has limited the availability of armed forces players. As a result, a limited number of professional and sumer collegiate players interested in the military and willing to support the program mission from around the country have recently begun to join the tour. Players pay their own expenses while off-duty to compete against the finest professional, independent and summer collegiate programs in the world.

Mission

To Promote the Awareness of Americans in Support of the Honorable Sacrifices our Armed Forces make at the tip of the spear.

History

The origin of United States armed forces baseball has been traced as far back as the American Civil War (1860-1865). For over a century, military baseball has been utilized as a successful tool to improve recruiting efforts and the morale of both the armed services and the American people.

Following World War I, major league stars such as Ty Cobb and Christy Mathewson served their country while playing on teams overseas and at home. Military baseball reached its peak of popularity during World War II (1941-1945) as baseball legends Ted Williams, Joe DiMaggio, Hank Greenberg and Bob Feller headed the list of major league professionals playing on service teams. Military baseball also served as a conduit to post-war reconstruction efforts and international relations most notably in Japan.

Military baseball support was extremely limited in scope during the Korean War (1950-1952) and finally, the Vietnam War (1965-1974), when politicians began the systematic dismantling of the military infrastructure and force strength. Baseball was slowly phased out and went dormant along with the decline of the armed forces.

Modern Era

In 1990, the United States experienced a renaissance of organized military baseball in the “Modern Era”. Determined re-organization efforts began after a U.S. Navy program was founded in Pensacola, Florida. That initial Navy program launched nearly two decades ago, led to establishing the growth of successful teams in all the armed forces around the world.

With tensions in the Middle East and the current war in Iraq, the Global War on Terrorism continues to be a factor in lives of Americans each day. As a way to capture the same spirit during World War II a historic effort led by the Navy team provided a unique and patriotic arena for Americans to support their armed forces at home and abroad.

Today, [U.S. Military All-Stars] is the largest, fastest growing and most successful organized military program in the world. Over 25,000 personnel have participated with the U.S. Military All-Stars Baseball program since 1990. In 2003, an episode of the CBS television show “JAG” was based on the programs annual Navy-Marine Corps All-Star Game featuring 2002 Cy Young award winner and Oakland Athletics pitcher Barry Zito.

Following the 2008 season, the founder of the U.S. Military All-Stars "Red, White and Blue Tour" retired U.S. Navy Commander Terry Allvord joined forces with Dan Duquette, former general manager of the Boston Red Sox, Buddy Lewis and Jerry O'Connor, executives of Nocona Athletic Goods Company (also known as Nokona) and to create a new ownership group dedicated to providing opportunities for members of our Armed Forces and military academies. The new alignment featured instant growth to five teams at every level of baseball to create a unique "farm System" which include:

American Defenders of New Hampshire of the Can-Am Professional League managed by former Red Sox Brian Daubach, the U.S. Military All-Stars "Red, White and Blue Tour" (Domestic) managed by former major league first baseman Ivan Cruz, the U.S. Military All-Stars "Red, White and Blue Diplomacy Tour" (International) and the newly minted Latin Stars led by Ramssey Ochoa. The U.S. Military All-Stars continued their reputation as a force with an impressive .720 winning percentage built over two decades while delivering the finest patriotic entertainment possible. In 2009, over 20 tour players were offered professional contracts, making it an ideal source for future talent posting a record of 31-6-1 against professional and summer collegiate programs.

The Pittsfield American Defenders, which has a double meaning for the U.S. military (as defenders of America), and a new glove made by Nokona, called the American Defender.[2]In their inaugural season, The Defenders were led by former ABCA Chairman and collegiate baseball legends Dr. Carroll Land and Coach Bob Warn assisted by Coach Ron Swen. Due to the timing of the new partnership and the desire to hold as many spots as possible for players from military schools and service academies the roster was extremely late in taking shape. The military academies had a hard time believing an premier New England Collegiate BAseball League team was interested in dedicating their efforts to provide an opportunity for their players. Add to that, a stadium under construction and at one point submerged under two feet of water and Pittsfield faced every challenge imaginable.

Navy-Marine All-Star Game

For 10 years, the U.S. Military All-Star Game was played each summer immediately following a San Diego Padres contest and dedicated to Pearl Harbor survivor Commander Lawrence S. Jackman, U.S. Navy. The most valuable player award is dedicated to Lieutenant Colonel Daniel Wayne Kidd, USMC, who was killed in the line of duty while stationed at Camp Pendleton in March 1996. The current record for the annual contest is a 9-9 tie between the Navy and Marine Corps. The most recent contest in 2007 was claimed by the U.S. Military All-Stars defeating the Marine Corps 12-1 and played at Tony Gwynn Stadium on San Diego State University.

"HEROES OF THE DIAMOND - RED, WHITE AND BLUE TOUR"

HOW IT BEGAN: During a visit to the Naval Aviation Museum, President H.W. Bush discussed the positive impact baseball had on morale during WWII. His comments initiated the development of military baseball in the modern era. Over two decades later, we are the only program in history to wear camouflage uniforms with historical references to represent all branches of the military and first responders on one team.

WHO WE ARE: Since 1990, more than 25,000 armed forces personnel have represented their service while paying their own expenses with a philosophy of HUSTLE, THINK, WIN! We are the "Globetrotters" of baseball. As the largest, fastest growing and most successful barnstorming team ever created, delivering competitive, exciting "must see" patriotic entertainment enjoyed by millions visiting over 45 states and 8 countries while competing against the some of the finest organizations in the world including the Boston Red Sox.

WHAT WE DO: Established to compete in 100 games annually at all levels while providing direct support to the State Department, Department of Defense and Recruiting while conducting over 350 appearances including international Friendship Tours on behalf of Major Commands, Military Installations and Command Visits to benefit Veterans and Youth charities.

WHY WE DO IT: The historic “Red, White and Blue Tour" delivers unique patriotic events designed to honor America. We conduct a choreographed pre-game that includes "Passing the Flag" and "Walk of Honor" ceremonies to celebrate American history in a moving tribute to those lost in the 9:11 tragedy. Our MISSION: “To Promote the Awareness of all Americans in Support of the Honorable Sacrifices our Armed Forces make at the Tip of the Spear” is based on the prominent yellow ribbon in the shape of an “S” located "front and center" in our distinctive “USA” logo symbolizes "Support" for our Troops and Veterans.

The UNIQUE patriotic events deliver positive media coverage and superb community goodwill. Dates are Limited!

ESPN VIDEO: http://www.mrbritton.com/USMA/ESPN_30_SPOT.wmv

BOOK AN EVENT: We invite you to join MLB, MiLB, Professional and Summer Collegiate organizations to host an event.

RedWhiteBlueTour@aol.com

SUBMIT A PLAYER PACKAGE

http://www.usmilitaryallstars.us

YOUTUBE

http://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=U.S.+Military+All-Stars&search_type=&aq=f