Boys of Summer: Tinker Rangers to kick off ’07 baseball season
John E. Banks - Staff Writer
As the winds die down, diamonds will be soon be filled with baseballs, aluminum bats, chatter on the field, fans in the bleachers, and the 2007 version of the Tinker Air Force Base Rangers.
“We have been practicing for several months and are looking forward to our upcoming season,” said Rangers head coach, Stephen Escalante.
The mission of the Tinker Rangers is to further the image of military service through its play and conduct throughout the country. By participating in the highest levels of competition, they demonstrate a commitment to excellence and further the illustration through a professional attitude while producing a high caliber of ball player second to none.
In addition to the mission, the purpose of the Tinker Rangers is to bolster morale by offering natural competitors the opportunity to compete in the sport they love. The Rangers will participate in the Oklahoma City National Adult Baseball Association league and throughout the country in tournaments.
Through local competitions and community involvement, the persona of the U.S. military can be gleamed. The Rangers will act as ambassadors by giving a professional view of the armed forces and portray the commitment to excellence on and off the field.
The Rangers will begin their 2007 season with a weekend series against a traveling team from Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Ariz. on April 22 - 23 at the Oklahoma State Fairgrounds baseball complex.
“We will see just how our training and practice will pay off in this matchup,” said Escalante.
“Our teams consists of players from the Air Force, Navy, Marines, Department of Defense civilians and Coast Guard military members,” Escalante said. Individual players range in rank from enlisted to officers and varied military career fields.
“Our breadth of military and baseball experience is large. The uniqueness of the Rangers is that we have a variety of experienced players who have played at all levels of baseball from high school to Division I college baseball.”
The 2007 Tinker Rangers roster includes coach Escalante, Blake Pomeroy, Christopher Brooks, William Nystrom, Michael Coats, Richard Skidmore, David Vaught, George Wiggins, Marcus Rivers, Jeffrey Moore, Caleb Cosmi, Kenneth Berry, James Campbell, Bradley Konz and John Scherer.
For more information, visit the Tinker Rangers Web site at www.leaguelineup.com/welcome.asp?url=tinker.
