And not at A ball. Harris has been ordered to start serving his five-year military commitment. Harris will first report to the amphibious ship Ponce in Norfolk.
"He will report to his ship as ordered," Cmdr. Jeff Davis, a Navy spokesman, told The Associated Press.
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"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," Davis said.
According to Baseball-Reference.com, there has been only one Annapolis grad to play in the majors. Nemo Gaines pitched in four games for Washington in 1921.
Unlike the NFL, which is allowing a recent West Point grad to go to camp and play if he makes it, rather than go lead a platoon in Iraq or Afghanistan.
I'm not sure what the punishment for a commissioned officer is, but he can always smoke some pot, get 45 days in the brig, 45 days on restriction, and a dishonorable discharge.
I think it might be different if he were actually a prospect. I'm guessing he went in the 13th round because he's really not that good (but I could be wrong, I have no idea what kind of player he is).
The academies are accomodating when the player is really good, and will be good PR for them. If they let him play, he'll likely languish in the lower minors for a while before quitting. That doesn't help the Navy.
Mixed feelings about this, I have.
Then, he can play all the baseball he likes.
The academies are accomodating when the player is really good, and will be good PR for them. If they let him play, he'll likely languish in the lower minors for a while before quitting. That doesn't help the Navy.
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