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No limbs, no problem as Wounded Warriors throttle Tinker senior leadership, 30-9

  • Published
  • By Brian Schroeder
  • Tinker Public Affairs
TINKER AIR FORCE BASE, Okla. --  Beating the 102 degree heat was much easier for Team Tinker than beating the Wounded Warrior Amputee Softball Team July 22 at Championship Field. Despite suffering a devastating 30-9 loss, the more than 26 senior leaders that comprised Team Tinker walked onto the field the same way they left -- with smiles on their faces.

After their pregame chant of "One, two, three, body parts!" Wounded Warriors were first to swing the bats. Nick Clark led off by slamming a triple into a gaping hole in center field. The next two batters, Josh Wege and Matt Kinsey followed with a single and double respectively, driving in the first two runs of the game.

After a pop-up to third base and the game's only strike out to start the bottom of the first, Team Tinker eventually got into the swing of things with Capt. Chuck Baker knocking a double into the outfield. Chief Master Sgt. Kevin Vegas then drove Baker home with a single shot down the third base line.

The teams battled back and forth over the next two innings to keep the score close. In the top of the fourth inning with one out, Wounded Warrior Mike Meinen hit a double, driving home one run and leaving runners on second and third. Two batters later, Nate Lindsey, who suffered an amputation below the elbow on his right arm while serving in Operation Iraqi Freedom, stepped up to the plate and drilled a shot to deep centerfield. He made it all the way around the horn for an inside-the-park home run, giving the Wounded Warriors a 9-4 lead. However, Team Tinker answered with three consecutive singles that were brought home by a triple delivered by power slugger Col. Stephen Wood, bringing the score within two.

During the next two innings, Wounded Warriors scored 15 unanswered runs with every Warrior touching home plate at least once in the sixth inning. With only two outs, the Wounded Warriors graciously took the field to give Team Tinker a chance to respond. However, their reply was silenced with zero hits in the fifth inning and a stunning double play at the mound by Wege in the sixth.

In the top of the seventh with one out and a runner on first, Brian Taylor, who suffered an amputation on his right leg below the knee, hit one to the fence in centerfield for the second inside-the-park home run of the afternoon for Wounded Warriors. Team Tinker rallied in the bottom of the seventh inning with Chief Master Sgt. Marion Driggers driving home one run with a line-drive triple to center field and later scoring on a single by Col. Michael Mahon. This last-ditch effort was quickly halted with ground-outs delivered by the next three batters, ending the game.

Wood said it was an honor for him to play in the friendly game with Wounded Warriors. He said despite this being Team Tinker's first outing on the diamond, he was thrilled with the turnout of Tinker senior leaders.

"Any time you get an opportunity to honor our heroes, you have to take advantage of it," Wood said. "This is not something senior leaders get a chance to do every day. Those who gave part of themselves in defense of our country certainly deserve our recognition."

The event was part of the WWAST tour and was the second game in the Oklahoma City area for the team. The previous day, WWAST were pinned against the U.S. Men's Softball Team at the American Softball Association Hall of Fame Stadium in Oklahoma City.

Taylor, who was a U.S. Army sergeant with the 1st Armored Division prior to his injury, played baseball in high school and said Kinsey told him about the Wounded Warrior Amputee Softball Team. He said he joined the team to take a break from class at the University of West Virginia and to enjoy his first summer after the Army.

"I never thought being in competitive sports again would be possible," Taylor said. "I was looking at getting into boxing just because I wanted that wining feeling again. Win or lose, it's awesome being able to compete again. I try to push myself past my own boundaries -- push through the pain and just do it."

Members of the WWAST are veterans and active duty servicemembers who have all sustained severe injuries resulting in amputation while serving in war. Through extensive rehabilitation, the servicemembers have become competitive athletes. According to their website, "their armor now includes prosthetic legs and arms, along with extreme perseverance and attitude."

Their goal is to "raise awareness through exhibition and celebrity softball games, the sacrifices and resilience of our military and highlight their ability to rise above any challenge ... and perform the sport they love."

The team began spring training in March and their opening game was held in Washington, D.C. The team has visited four cities thus far, and left Tinker with a 5-3 record.

After the game attendees were treated to hot dogs, watermelon and drinks. Donations and support for the game was provided by Midwest City Chamber of Commerce, Cornerstone Church, Red Bull, Hudiburg and Balfour Beatty.

"Having people come out and sit in the heat to watch us play means tons to us," Taylor said. "We try to let them know that the best we can, but it really means a lot to have all of these people out here today."