Navy pitcher to be on deck of ship, not diamond

Annapolis (Map, News) - Navy pitcher Mitch Harris struck out in his attempt to pursue his dream of playing professional baseball.

Harris, a newly commissioned ensign and Naval Academy graduate, has learned Thursday he must serve a five-year active duty commitment following a ruling from Navy Secretary Donald C. Winter. Harris, a right-hander drafted in the 13th round by the St. Louis Cardinals, is set to report Monday to the USS Ponce, which is based in Norfolk, Va.

Harris, a native of Ocala, Fla. native who played high school baseball in North Carolina, understands the decision, considering the country is at war. But he also was hoping a compromise could be reached that would have enabled him to fulfill his military commitment and play baseball.

“I’ve got no reaction right now because I know what the Navy's policy is regarding these situations,” said Harris, who is already in Norfolk. “I'm not surprised. I’m just ready to report and begin my military career.”

Harris, who went 20-13 with 291 strikeouts and 2.51 ERA during his career at Navy, is part of a controversy surrounding athletes at service academies. Army has allowed its athletes — namely safety Caleb Campbell and fullback Mike Viti — to pursue an professional sports careers as part of its Alternative Service Option policy.

The policy allows those with “special talents” to pursue professional opportunities and are assigned to recruiting centers near their workplace. Winter has suspended the navy’s policy while the country is at war.

"Bottom line is, we're a nation at war and as a nation at war we believe it is inappropriate for Navy and Marine Corps personnel to be released from service obligation to play sports at a time other sailors and Marines are carrying out their service obligations," Cmdr. Jeff Davis, a Navy spokesman, told The Associated Press.

Harris believes the policy need to be reexamined so it is consistent among all Navy, Army and Air Force — the nation’s three major service academies.

“It’s obvious they need to keep looking at the policy,” said Harris, a weapons officer. “None of that’s up to me. I’m just going to report to the Ponce as planned. But I haven’t given up me dream of playing baseball again one day. That’s the goal of anyone who ever plays baseball.”

Chet Gladchuk, Navy’s athletics director, said expectation for every Midshipmen is to graduate, become and officer and fulfill their service commitment. But he also doesn’t understand how Army and Navy cannot have the same policy.

“I expect these policies to continue to be reviewed,” Gladchuk said. “Army’s interpretations of these rules are eventually going to be detrimental to our athletic program.”

rsnyder@baltimoreexaminer.com