Legion baseball ceremony honors soldiers, players (video)

The 2015 American Legion Baseball season began with a ceremony to honor veterans, newly enlisted soldiers, and the players competing on Saturday at the Copper Sky Recreation Complex.

The new recruits were brought onto the field as a group, and one by one they were called to be honored at home plate. Members of The American Legion, Maricopa Mayor Christian Price, Maricopa City Manager Gregory Rose, Maricopa Police Chief Steve Stahl, Pinal County Attorney Lando Voyles, and Pinal County Sheriff Paul Babeu were among the dignitaries in attendance to honor the soldiers.

The ceremony began with the “National Anthem” and presentation of the colors. Dignitaries placed their right hand over their hearts, and the veterans and soldiers in attendance saluted as the anthem echoed through Copper Sky.

“The city is a proud partner with you all in doing this, and we’d like to do this for many, many years to come,” Price said. “Thank you to our veterans and our new enlistees who will soon fight for our country and keep this flag flying high.”

Stahl summarized the afternoon: “It’s a very humbling experience to be before our past, our present and our future.”

Despite the ceremony starting a baseball season, each speaker was focused on honoring those who have served in the past, and those who will serve in the future.

“Our freedom is purchased,” Babeu said. “It continues to be purchased with young men and young women just like yourselves who stand up and say, ‘Yes,’ and embrace that challenge to serve and defend our country.”

This sentiment was echoed by Voyles: “Anybody who believes that freedom is free hasn’t seen what you all are seeing and will see.”

***ADVERTISEMENT***Voyles and Babeu also stated Pinal County had donated $30,000 in repossessed money from their RICO funds. The money had been confiscated during raids and repossessions of criminal activity, and put toward something positive for the community.

After the speeches, all that was left was baseball. Babeu, Voyles, and American Legion Commander Andy Jaime threw out the ceremonial first pitch, and the players took the field.