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USO and Navy to face off in Tacoma

A day of fun and games coming to Cheney Stadium, Saturday

The home of the Tacoma Rainiers will host a softball game, Saturday, pitting the Navy against the Marines and Coast Guard. Photo courtesy Tacoma Rainiers

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For this game, fans won't just be sitting in the stands, cheering. They'll also be out playing.

On Saturday afternoon at Tacoma's Cheney Stadium, fans will get to cheer for their favorite team in a softball game featuring Navy and the Marines/Coast Guard. Fans will also get a chance to roam the field, playing games.

Gates open at Cheney Stadium for family fun at 2:30 p.m. Then at 5 p.m., the softball game begins.

The USO and Tacoma Navy League teamed up to put on this fundraiser.

"It is so much fun when you get different branches going against each other," said Karen Getchell, who is the community liaison with Tacoma's Navy League. "We're hoping it becomes an annual event."

On the field, there will be games for the family that include wiffle ball and a fast pitch booth. There will also be a family play area and a home-run derby that goes from 3 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. For the quick of foot and the young plodders, there will also be an opportunity to run the bases.

And it's all very affordable. Tickets are only $5 and parking is free.

The game and afternoon of fun is more than a fundraiser. It's also a way of reminding people of the military's commitment to peace.

"We've still got people out there, they're still deployed and they need assistance," Getchell said. "So our goal with this fundraiser is to help them."

The game is a way of bringing awareness of the task of the military and to be able to support them. The fundraiser goes to supporting families when a spouse is deployed, bringing care packages. And it also goes toward welcoming home gatherings and events at change of commands. It all goes to saying "thank you."

"We don't sign on the dotted line that we'll give up our lives for our country," Getchell said. "When you do that, in my opinion, you deserve all the support you can get from those who don't."

In addition to the family fun and the game, there will also be cheerleaders and singers coming from local high schools, adding to the fun. The cheerleaders will be from Wilson High School and Curtis High School.

The Foss High School choir will also be there to sing a couple of baseball traditionals - "Take Me Out To The Ball Game" and "God Bless America."

"It's going to be a fun day," Getchell said.

Curtis will be cheering on the Navy team because their ROTC is Navy. Wilson will cheer on the Marines because their ROTC is Marines.

Getchell has been impressed with the open-arm reception they've gotten from the Tacoma Rainiers. Since USO gets one-day use of the field, there's no charge for using Cheney Stadium. They'll also run the scoreboard, and when a batter goes to plate, they get their walk-up song and a head shot on the big screen.

"I'll tell you what," Getchell said. "The Rainiers have been amazing to work with. They've gone over the top to work with us to support these guys."

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