Greencastle sailor plays ball for the military
By PAT FRIDGEN Echo Pilot

Ridge

"I joined the Navy to see the world and get educated," said Mike Ridge, formerly of Greencastle.

He did that and more, as his love of baseball accompanied him into the military and earned him a spot on a traveling team.

Ridge, the son of John and Debbie Ridge, is a member of the U.S. Military All-Stars. The team is comprised of members from the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines and Coast Guard.

The team traveled the East Coast and the Midwest this summer, playing foreign, collegiate, semi-pro and scout team opponents. In its 18th year, the squad has amassed a 567-211 record.

While the players like to win, the purpose of the team is to increase America's awareness of honorable sacrifices the Armed Forces make each day at the 'Tip of the Spear', according to organizers.

Ridge, 28, is stationed at Norfolk, Va. He missed tryouts for the team, but his reputation preceded him.

He had just returned from four months in the Persian Gulf aboard the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower, where he was a nuclear engineer. He is now an operational test director in a stateside job assignment.

"The head coach knew how I'd played for the Navy. There was a letter waiting for me at my new command."

His boss gave him orders to join the Red, White and Blue Tour of America for three months.

Ridge was the number two starting pitcher. When the team was 6-1 after two weeks, he took credit for the loss.

"I was good for three innings and then got tired," he said. "It's been eye-opening for me. I'm still getting back in shape."

The team then faced 19 games in 21 days.

The season has provided some memorable moments. Ridge has been impressed with the sentiments of the public.

"The fans tell us what we do in the military means so much to them," he said. "On TV there is so much anti-war propaganda. In the communities we find out how much people actually support what we do."

One highlight was the two weeks in New York City. They were there during the Navy's Fleet Week in May and played against the Fire Department of New York and the New York Police Department.

They visited the Statue of Liberty and Ground Zero. Half the team was in military uniform, half in baseball uniform.

"People came up to get autographs and pictures."

The team was given a personal tour inside the fences of Ground Zero by a survivor.

John and Debbie Ridge are happy their son had this opportunity.

"It's a reward for what he's been through," said Debbie.

Indeed, the organization reports that 95 percent of the players have been deployed. They cover their own travel expenses so that government funds can be directed to the troops.

Communities tend to sponsor picnics and meals for the players. Host families provide lodging. Fans and companies donate supplies in appreciation for their services.

Ridge received a special pair of shoes designated for pitchers.

"Michael was tickled," said his mother. "He's like a little kid at Christmas."

Ridge graduated from GAHS in 1997 and from Penn State in 2001 with a degree in Civil Engineering. He married the former Anita Hawbaker, a 1995 grad. They live in Chesapeake, Va., where Anita is a teacher.

A lieutenant, Ridge will be in the Navy until 2009.

"This is my last tour," he said. "I'd like to get back to Pennsylvania and raise a family."

When the baseball season is over, he will return to his new job testing weapons and equipment prior to purchase by the Navy. When he becomes a civilian, he hopes to work as a civil engineer or in construction management in a metropolitan area.