All-Star Village becomes center stage for military family members

PHILADELPHIA -- Youth from military families took over Deer Park Diamond at All-Star Village on Saturday. From 11 a.m. to noon ET, the field was handed over for a specialized clinic hosted by Blue Star Families.

Founded in 2009 by military family members, Blue Star Families has grown into the largest nonprofit serving and representing military and veteran families, reaching more than 1.5 million family members annually. Saturday’s clinic was designed around the organization's core mission: creating vibrant communities of mutual support and connecting military families with their neighbors.

The kids were split into two teams -- the yellow cones and the orange cones -- for a fast-paced game on the diamond. Coach Ballgame served as the main MC, keeping the energy moving from the microphone with help from Bianca Peart.

The defense on the field featured some familiar faces, as Cubs mascot Clark the Cub and Red Sox mascot Wally the Green Monster took over duties at first and third base. Every single child got their turn at bat and a chance to run the bases, channeling their favorite MLB stars for the day.

The rules of the game came with a few custom twists. If a player hit a single, the coaches dubbed it a “bicep single,” prompting the entire field and the stands to flex in unison. If a kid cleared the bases for a home run, the field tapped into a bit of military tradition -- forcing all the coaches, along with Clark and Wally, to drop to the ground and pump out 10 push-ups on the spot.

The teams traded places after every batter took a turn, keeping a steady rotation of kids sprinting on and off the diamond. The clinic wrapped up with a final closing salute, as the entire group came together on the field to yell "Play Ball!" to close out the morning.