Spending spring break at Camp Darby with Major League Baseball

By Ms. Joyce Costello (IMCOM)April 14, 2009

You're out
1 / 4 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Matt Chodzko, first baseman from Ramstein Air Base, Germany, records an out against the Italian junior national baseball team during a tournament hosted by the Major League Baseball Italian Academy. The American team, consisting of high-school-age pl... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
It's a line drive
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Make that two outs now
3 / 4 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Shortstop Cavan Cohoes, from RAF Lakenheath, England, prepares to glove a throw as member of Italian junior national baseball team heads to second base. Cohoes was one of 33 U.S. military family members who spent their spring break vacation at Camp D... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Pitching to the big leagues
4 / 4 Show Caption + Hide Caption – (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

LIVORNO, Italy - For 33 youth from RAF Lakenheath, England, and Germany's Ramstein Air Base and U.S. Army Garrison Stuttgart, spring break provided an opportunity for a week of training at the Italian Baseball and Softball Federation Academy in Tirrenia.

It was also a chance for the young Americans to test their skills against the Italian national team and the Germany Bavarian junior national team as members of Major League Baseball observed.

Bill Holmberg, the Chicago Cubs international scout, and a member of the Minnesota Twins attended the games, and such exposure is a "once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for these kids," said coach Gary Harrington, who organized the team of youngsters from U.S. military bases. "Additionally, there were two coaches from the Cuban national team ... who helped with batting and fielding."

Matthew McDonald, a shortstop and pitcher for the Ramstein Royals, was appreciative to play competitive ball against the European 20-year-olds.

"At first I was nervous pitching against the Italian national team, but then it began to feel like a regular (game)," said McDonald, who has been playing since he was 5. "Last year, the guys talked about great it was to play here; I knew I had to come.Aca,!A?

Justin Phelps, a pitcher for the Stuttgart Panthers, said a friend's dad, who was once stationed at nearby Camp Darby, knew about the camp and suggested that it would fine tune them for the ongoing high-school baseball season.

"Pitching against the Italian national team, I had two strike outs in two innings and we beat them 9-5," said Phelps. "It was the best spring break ever."

Cavan Cohoes, shortstop for the RAF Lakenheath Lancers, added that the special coaching, extra practice and tougher completion will certainly help him.

Cohoes' parents, Chris and Darbie, also traveled south of the Alps to watch Cavan play.

"In England, youth that want to play at collegiate level and get recruited are at a huge disadvantage," said Darbie. "We know there is nothing else our son would rather do then play baseball and get scouted by members of MLB."

"We believe it's the parents' responsibility to support their children's dreams," added Chris.

This is the second spring break that Camp Darby has hosted players from youth programs on U.S. military installations.

"I'm especially glad for the help (provided) by the parents and Ramstein's Youth Services (for helping) make this dream a reality," said Harrington. "Next year, it's my goal to see if MLB can partner up with DoD Dependent Schools for youth baseball tournament."