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Popular Army-Navy clash set for Saturday at Citrus

By KEVIN JOHNSON (Contact)

Friday, February 23, 2007

There’s no mistaking how much Citrus Park loves its softball.

With 26 teams, two diamonds and a ton of energy in the infields and outfields, softball reigns as the king of sports at the Bonita Springs 55 and over community.

"It’s a softball community," said Virgil Christian.

And it’s a community that doesn’t forget its veterans.

The annual Army-Navy day, which Christian first organized nine years ago, is Saturday at the park’s field on Trost Boulevard in Bonita Springs. A ceremony will be at 9 a.m. followed by the first of three games featuring the park’s war veterans at about 9:30.

The ceremony will include player introductions, a moment of silence, a flag-raising tribute, the National Anthem and Taps. Also, for the first time, service music will be performed by the park’s new Second Wind band.

Christian, a Korean War veteran from Centerville, Ohio, who served in the Marine Corps, said he got the idea for an Army-Navy competition after attending a memorial service on the softball field. He saw veterans lined up that day and later decided to see what kind of interest would be generated in playing a friendly game amongst each other.

"I polled a couple of key guys, one from the Army and one from the Navy. They were best of friends and couldn’t wait to do that," said Christian.

The event has emerged as one of the most popular on the park’s calendar.

Jim Batchelor, an Army veteran from World War II who founded the softball league at Citrus 21 years ago, will play Saturday. The first game will also feature Silver Star and Purple Heart recipients J.R. Ayers and Clarence Martens. Martens won’t be able to play, but is expected to serve as co-manager on the Army side with Ayers.

Nine years ago filling the rosters with World War II veterans was not a problem. But the ranks have thinned each year as age and deaths continue their toll. In Saturday’s first game, 13 World War II veterans will play, eight on Army and five on Navy. Korean War veterans will fill the remaining spots.

The second and third games will feature veterans from the Korean and Vietnam wars. All military branches will be represented.

Christian said the biggest growth at the park these days among veterans is from those who served in Vietnam.

Following the games, players will head to the rec hall for a luncheon, no doubt swapping stories along with a drink or two.

"There’s a lot of friendly chiding," said Christian.