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  Col. Stephen Yackley, left, Fort Jackson's deputy commanding officer, Pvt. Ariel Gonyea, 369th Adjutant General Battalion, and Post Command Sgt. Maj. Kevin Benson cut the cake to celebrate the Army's 237th birthday. The celebration was part of the...

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  Soldiers reach for a ball thrown into the stands before the start of Saturday's game between the Columbia Blowfish and the Gastonia Grizzlies.

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  Col. Stephen Yackley, Fort Jackson's deputy commanding officer, throws out the ceremonial first pitch Saturday.

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  Fort Jackson Soldiers fill the stands at Capital City Stadium Saturday.

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  Gabe, the former military dog in the running for a national award, and his former handler and current owner, Sgt. 1st Class Chuck Schuck, Drill Sergeant School, take the field between innings.

FORT JACKSON, S.C. -- About 3,000 Fort Jackson Soldiers celebrated the Army's 237th Birthday with baseball, hot dogs and, of course, a birthday cake.

In what has become an annual tradition, the Columbia Blowfish baseball club, in partnership with the Greater Columbia Chamber of Commerce, invited the installation's Soldiers to enjoy a free game last Saturday. The event was part of the celebration of the Army's birthday, which is today.

Soldiers were treated to free soft drinks and hot dogs, a pregame concert and a postgame fireworks show.

In between innings, distinguished veterans took to the field to the applause of the crowd.

On the field, the Blowfish, a Coastal Plain League club, beat the Gastonia Grizzlies, 2-1.