Navy and Marine Corps Baseball Teams Go Hollywood
Story by JOSN Cynthia R. Smith, Public Affairs Center San Diego
LONG BEACH, Calif., (October 22, 2003) — “Crew off the field and ready the set! Roll cameras, and action! Cut, print and let’s do it again!” Sailors and Marines from the Navy and Marine Corps Baseball teams heard director Bradford May shout this phrase countless times on Wednesday, during the filming of an episode from the hit television series “JAG” in Long Beach, Calif.
Twelve players from the two teams were able to put their acting skills to the test while doing what they love best — playing baseball. The teams were invited by the show to shoot a fictitious all-star game. It was definitely a new and extremely interesting experience for the players.
“This is the first time we have ever done a TV show,” said Harvey Simmons, the team’s general manager. “We did a (San Diego) Padres commercial last year for (this year’s Navy and Marine Corps) All-Star Game (at Qualcomm Stadium), but this is bigger. It has been a great experience for the team, and it is a good way to get our name out there so people know who we are.”
Navy baseball is nearly into its 10th season and has become comparable to College or Semi-Pro Baseball. It was the brainchild of Lt. Cmdr. Terry Allvord, of Tactical Air Control Squadron 12, who was asked to put together a team in 1990, while attending flight school at the Naval Air Station in Pensacola, Fla. He started the Southwestern Baseball League in Pensacola, and it quickly grew to over 10 teams consisting of civilians and military from all services. Midway through the first season an all-star game was played, which just happened to feature a majority of Navy and Marine Corps players on opposite sides of the diamond.
When Allvord was transferred to San Diego, his new commanding officer, who had seen a few games in Florida, asked him to start up a West Coast team. Allvord, then a Lt. j.g., founded the San Diego Military Baseball League (SDMBL) and in August of 1993 active duty and a few retired Sailors and Marines were ready to face off again, this time, on the West Coast.
Allvord called it a chance to give young Sailors and Marines who might have just left a high school or college baseball program, the opportunity to continue to play baseball while in the Navy.
“This isn’t intramural or a command softball team. Navy Baseball is the job of a Sailor or Marine for about three months. We wanted to offer real baseball on par with the All-Navy programs,” said Allvord, who is on temporary assignment with TACRON 12 in Okinawa, Japan.
“I love being a member of the team. I have had a great time and have met many people. It has been a great chance to do something different,” said Fire Controlman 2nd Class Greg Olivier, an instructor at the Fleet Training Command in San Diego and an out-fielder for the Navy team.
The “JAG” episode also included Major League Baseball’s Oakland Athletics starting pitcher, Barry Zito. Zito, the 2002 American League Cy Young Award winner guest stars in the “JAG” episode as the Navy’s starting pitcher. During the show, Zito’s character accidentally kills a Marine batter by hitting him in the head with a pitched ball. The stars of JAG then defend him.
The two teams arrived at Blair Field in Long Beach by 6 a.m., where they were treated to breakfast before their long day of shooting. Once the cameras started rolling, the teams got a taste of what it is like to work on a television set. The teams showed off their on-camera skills by performing their own “stunts” of throwing and catching after taking “action” orders from the show’s director. After filming each scene four or five times, they would move on to the next. Even though the heat and the numerous film takes were hard on the players, the teams never missed their mark.
“I don’t usually get to work with Navy personnel, because I am usually on the set with the actors, but these guys have been very nice and courteous and I have enjoyed watching them,” said John M. Jackson, who plays Adm. A.J. Chegwidden, head of the Judge Advocate Corps on JAG.
For the ball players, who dream of making it to “the show” of baseball, appearing on “JAG” was an honor. However, the chance to perform with a well-known Major League pitcher like Zito was a greater thrill.
“It is such an honor to play with Barry Zito,” said retired Master-At-Arms 1st Class Albert “Papa Smurf” Arbelo Jr., an infielder on the Navy team.
“It’s all been a wonderful opportunity for Navy baseball. It was great of JAG to allow us to come out here and play for them. It gave us a chance to get back together after the season ended.”
Zito had similar thoughts about his Navy and Marine Corps teammates.
“It’s great to be in this uniform, even for a few days. These guys are great ballplayers. I have worked mostly with actors, but these guys actually do the Navy thing. I have great respect for what they do and I am honored to work with the Navy,” said the 25-year-old left-handed hurler.
The Sailors and Marines also had the opportunity to learn about the process of shooting a TV show and the components required to make it all work.
“We never had to explain any of the Navy stuff to them, but we did get to teach them about filming and sound and how it all works together. It’s a great experience for all involved,” said David James Elliott, who plays Cmdr. Harmon “Harm” Rabb Jr. on the show.
“I love working with the Navy. We have such a close relationship. We are always working and shooting on Navy and Marine Corps bases.”
The team’s hard work and dedication to the game was evident to the crew, actors and the director of JAG.
“These guys have done a fantastic job. We couldn’t be happier with their performance. We can really tell they love what they do and that they are good at baseball,” said May.
“They have worked very hard and we are very proud to have them on the show.”
I’m a little confused. The storyline isn’t exactly the same as it was described to me. But we shall see! 😉
