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sports

Veterans help bolster young American Legion team

By Justin Feil spring workouts. Ryan said he has enjoyed being
“Justice wanted to come back out around the major league hopefuls. His
The wins might have not come fre- and give us his all,” said Post 314 man- own dream growing up was to make it
quently enough, but just getting the ager Mike Ryan. “He’s a hard worker. to play college baseball. He’s done that,
chance to play baseball this summer The opportunity to have another year of and now he’s seen the next level up
was appreciated by Justice Jones and baseball was there and he hopped on it.” close.
Tristan Ryan. Mike Ryan’s son, Tristan, is using “It’s given me a new perspective,”
Both Jones and Ryan are one year the Mercer County American Legion Ryan said. “The players are so much dif-
removed from high school, and they League season to get back into the ferent than what I’ve seen. They are so
provided a veteran presence on the swing of things. good. I get privilege of watching them at
youngest team that the Ewing Post 314 He was to supposed to play on the practice.”
American Legion team has had in five team at Immaculata University, but a Jones and Ryan are also helping to
seasons. dislocated shoulder on his non-throwing shape Ewing High’s future. They are
Jones, who played last summer after arm forced him to miss his Freshman the only two players who are a year out
graduating Ewing High School, wanted season. He was cleared to return mid- of high school, and another three Ewing
to come back and play again in what will way through and with the help of physi- players graduated this year.
probably be his final year of organized cal therapy he was ready to go when “The previous season, we had older
ball. “I knew this would be the end of Legion began. guys,” Ryan said. “The first year we
the road for me,” he said, adding that he “It helped me a lot get back in the played, we had all the older guys. Now I
also wanted another opportunity to play swing of things,” Ryan said. “It’s got- Injury kept Tristan Ryan from have to watch out for the younger guys,
with Ryan and his coaches. ten my confidence up. These guys need playing his first season at make sure they’re doing the right things
“He’s like a brother to me, and the someone to lead them. It’s a fun situa- Immaculata University, but and teach them to play the game the
coaching staff are all like my dads,” said tion to be a part of.” he was ready in time to play right way.”
Jones. “It’s like my second family. I said, Ryan won’t ever get too far from a American Legion Baseball. The other 13 players on the Post 314
‘I have to come back, I have to have as baseball field this summer. In addition roster can return to Ewing High to play
much fun as I can in the summertime.’” to playing, he also is working as a mem- next spring.
Jones had options to play in col- ber of the grounds crew for the Trenton bullpens every day. You make sure the The other players on the team’s ros-
lege out of Ewing High School, but he Thunder, the Double-A affiliate of the mound is perfect. You make sure the ter included Henry Hutchinson, Jake
started working to help support his fam- New York Yankees. lines are crisp, and you have to do it fast. Storer, Jacob Basich, Mirone Miller,
ily. He worked to stay in game shape by “A lot more goes into it than I You get an hour to have the field ready John Ulrich, Tyrique Alston, Dominick
participating in the team’s winter and thought,” Ryan said. “You have to fix the after batting practice.” Salvatore, Cole McKeon, Daniel Guth-

Sat Aug 5, 7:00PM Thu Aug 17, 7:00PM Thu Aug 24, 7:00PM
Altoona Curve Akron RubberDucks Richmond Flying Squirrels
Military Appreciation Night Beach Night at the Ballpark Hockey Night
Join us as we honor local Military Check out the Thunder as they wear special Celebrate your favorite Hockey team at
personnel in our community with a beach-themed jerseys during the game. Hockey Night at ARM & HAMMER Park.
special pre-game on-field ceremony. Thirsty Thursday Thirsty Thursday
Post-Game Fireworks Ages 21 and over. Ages 21 and over.
Musiusical theme based on a FAN
M Post-Game Fireworks Post-Game Fireworks
Musiusical theme; Beach Boys.
VOTE! M M
Musiusical theme; NICKELBACK!
Presented by: NJEA
Sat Aug 26, 7:00PM Sat Sep 2, 7:00PM Sun Sep 3, 7:00PM
Richmond Flying Squirrels Reading Fightin Phils Reading Fightin Phils

Post-Game Fireworks Post-Game Fireworks Post-Game Fireworks
Lucy (and her diamonds) won't Take in the awe-inspiring What's better than a fireworks
be the only thing in the sky majesty of our post-game spectacular on Thunder Road
during our fireworks fireworks spectacular after the set to music by The Boss
spectacular set to music by game set to a musical theme himself, BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN?
THE BEATLES! based on a FAN VOTE! Nothing, that's what.
P Presented by: Macy's P Presented by: Floor & Decor

24Ewing Observer | August 2017