 As we continue to honor the sacrifices made by our fallen heroes, it's essential that we also recognize the tireless efforts our players give, taking a unique approach to giving back to our military veterans and active duty warriors. Through our program, the we bring together elite players from our local teams on a national tour, competing against collegiate league and first responder teams.
One of the shining stars of this program is Jared Pensa, a Navy veteran who served honorably. Jared continued to serve by sharing his passion for baseball with others, he’s been playing the game all his life, from age 4 to present day, and now uses it as a platform to spread a positive message and serve those who came before him. Our players are not just athletes, they're ambassadors of hope and resilience. Jared Pensa, a shining example of this, has used his passion for baseball to spread positivity and serve those who have served before him. By sharing his story, he's inspiring others to do the same, creating a ripple effect of kindness and compassion that transcends generations. Through the Wardogs program, our players are not just competing on the field, they're building bridges between communities and honoring the sacrifices made by our fallen heroes.  Stepping Up to Serve As we celebrate our nation' heroes, it's easy to overlook the unsung heroes who serve our country with quiet dedication. At the heart of this mission is Jacob Vanek, a young athlete from Sparks, Nevada, whose father served in the Air Force for 21 years. Inspired by his dad's service and commitment, Jacob wants to do his part to support those who have served. And he' found that baseball is the perfect way to make a difference.
As an assistant coach at Lassen College and head coach of the Susanville Renegades, American Legion High School team, Casey Lee is also now leading the charge for WarDogs. With his passion for coaching and commitment to giving back, Lee is making waves on and off the field. As we salute Jacob Vanek and all our nation's heroes, let us remember that there are many ways to be a hero on and off the field. May their stories inspire us to come together and support those who serve. In partnership with our brothers and sisters at Operation Encore. You can view our schedule and tour dates HERE  From Combat Zones to Coaching As we celebrate our nation’s heroes, it’s easy to overlook the unsung heroes who serve our country in quieter ways. One such individual is Casey Lee, a dedicated coach and veteran of the United States Army. With 11 years of service under his belt, Lee has seen it all from deploying to Afghanistan to recruiting in Reno, NV.
But after leaving the Army in October 2020, Lee discovered a new passion: coaching baseball. As an assistant coach at Lassen College and the head coach for the Susanville Renegades, American Legion High School team, he' found a way to give back to the military community while pursuing his love of leadership and the game. Lee’s story is a testament to the power of sports in bringing people together and providing a sense of purpose. As someone who has struggled with PTSD, he knows firsthand the importance of community and camaraderie. Through his work with the WarDogs organization, Lee hopes to use baseball as a tool for healing and giving back. As we salute Casey Lee and all our nation’s hero’s past, present, and future, let us remember that there are many ways to be a hero on and off the field. May their stories inspire us to come together and support those who serve. In partnership with our brothers and sisters at Operation Encore. You can view our schedule and tour dates HERE  Pitch Perfect Blend of Service and Sport As we pay tribute to our nation's heroes, it's easy to forget about the unsung heroes who serve our country in quieter ways. One such individual is Joshua Soske, a dedicated member of the WarDogs organization and a proud sailor in the United States Navy.
Soske's journey began when he was just three years old, picking up a baseball bat for the first time. He never put it down, playing continuously throughout his childhood, college years at Gray's Harbor CC, and even professionally with independent teams in Portland, Oregon. His passion for the game only grew stronger as he entered the Navy, where he's been serving for six years. While stationed in Spain Soske has had the privilege of participating in humanitarian missions like Continuing Promise 2022, but it was his experience playing baseball with the WarDogs in Spain that sparked a new sense of purpose within him. He joined the organization to combine his love of baseball with giving back to veterans in any way he could. As we salute Joshua Soske and all the men and women who serve alongside him, let us remember that there are many ways to be a hero on and off the field. May their stories motivate us to come together as a nation and support our heroes in every way possible. In partnership with our brothers and sisters at Operation Encore. You can view our schedule and tour dates HERE  A Patriot's Story As a nation, we often think of our heroes as those who serve on the battlefield, but there are many unsung heroes who have dedicated their lives to serving our country in other ways. One such individual is Michael Livesey, a veteran Navy Operation Specialist and current member of the WarDogs organization. Michael's story begins like that of many young Americans with a love of baseball. Growing up, he played Wiffle Ball with his friends, eventually transitioning to travel and high school teams. But after taking five years off from the game, he found himself reconnecting with his passion for baseball through the WarDogs organization. Michael has spent much of his time at sea, serving on the USS Mobile Bay and later at Tactical Training Group Pacific. When he eventually transitioned to shore duty, he discovered the San Diego WarDogs, a team that allowed him to combine his love of baseball with his desire to give back. The WarDogs organization is dedicated to spreading their mission statement through baseball, playing games across the country to raise awareness and support for active-duty military members, their families, and all veterans. For Michael, joining the WarDogs was a way to stay connected with his fellow service members and find purpose in his post-military life. But, Michael's story is more than just one of personal fulfillment it's also a testament to the transformative power of baseball. Wardogs baseball brought me happiness and joy when I was in my darkest days In a world where too many veterans struggle with mental health issues and feelings of isolation, Michael's story serves as a reminder that there are organizations like the WarDogs out there, dedicated to supporting those who have served our country. So let us raise our caps in salute to Michael Livesey and all the men and women who serve alongside him. May their stories inspire us to come together as a nation and support our heroes in ways big and small.
In partnership with our brothers and sisters at Operation Encore. You can view our schedule and tour dates HERE  Where Purpose Meets ServiceAs a Sergeantt in the United States Army, Ruger Beck has dedicated his life to serving our country with distinction. But Ruger's story is not just one of service; it is also a testament to the transformative power of baseball. Growing up in Fort Worth, Texas, Ruger was immersed in the game from a young age, playing select ball and even competing in the Jr. League World Series (the older version of Little League). Baseball wasn't just a game for Ruger; it was a way of life.
However, Ruger's journey took an unexpected turn when he suffered a collarbone injury during his freshman year of college, requiring two surgeries. Despite the setback, Ruger persevered and continued to pursue his passion for baseball. But as he looked around at the sacrifices made by those who served, including his grandfather, uncle, and cousins, Ruger realized that there was more to life than just playing ball. Ruger's desire to give back mixed with his love of baseball led him to join the WarDogs organization. With a passion for serving others, Ruger has worked as a personal trainer, coach, served in the Army, and now works as a Construction Manager for Habitat for Humanity. His decision to join the WarDogs was an easy one , it allowed him to combine his love of baseball with his desire to give back. In Ruger Beck, we find a shining example of what it means to be a true American patriot. His story is one of service, sacrifice, and purpose – a grand slam for giving back, if you will. So let us raise our caps in salute to this remarkable individual, and to the countless men and women who serve alongside him. For Ruger Beck, and for all those who have served before him, we say thank you. In partnership with our brothers and sisters at Operation Encore. You can view our schedule and tour dates here Swinging for the Fences Evan Viers has grown up with a deep appreciation for the sacrifices made by those who serve our country. His passion for baseball is what truly sets him apart. Growing up, Evan looked up to his dad and brother as role models, and it was only natural that he would follow in their footsteps. He played baseball all the way through high school, where he excelled and honed his skills. But it wasn't until he heard about US Military Wardogs baseball from his brother that he truly found his calling. The spark of passion ignited by his first game with the Wardogs has driven Evan to dedicate countless hours to training and perfecting his craft. His commitment is evident in every swing, every catch, and every pitch, and at the heart of it all is a sense of camaraderie that only comes from being part of a team. In Evan Viers, we see a young man who embodies the values of dedication, hard work, and teamwork. His story serves as a reminder that, even in the midst of chaos, there is always time for passion and purpose. As he continues to excel on and off the field, we can't help but be inspired by his unwavering commitment to being part of something bigger than himself.
In partnership with our brothers and sisters at Operation Encore. You can view our schedule and tour dates here ->Events As we celebrate the spirit of service and sacrifice, we honor Eddie Ihnken. Eddie's journey is one of passion, perseverance, and purpose. As an Aviation Maintenance Technician with the US Coast Guard, he's spent 10 years serving his country, from counter-drug deployments to search and rescue missions. But it's his love for baseball that has brought him a new level of fulfillment. From playing T-ball at age 4 to playing at The Collage of New Jersey and beyond, Eddie's heart remains in the game. When he discovered the US Military Wardogs National Team, he knew he'd found his calling. As one of four captains on the national team, he's led by example, using his skills to help build the organization from the ground up I knew from the day I met the staff and players, who I know consider brothers and family, that this was something I wanted to be apart of for the rest of my life and showcase to my children the importance of honoring the military members that came before us. As Director of Local Teams, Eddie has helped establish WarDogs chapters across the country, bringing together veterans and civilians alike in a shared mission of honor and remembrance. His story is a reminder that US Military Wardogs are more than just a team. It brings people together, creates new opportunities, and pays tribute to those who have served before us. Eddie Ihnken is living proof that with every swing of the bat and every toss of the ball, we can make a difference and honor those who have given their all.
In partnership with our brothers and sisters at Operation Encore. You can view our schedule and tour dates here ->Events A Home Run for a Higher Purpose As the crack of the bat echoes through the air, SFC Bryan Witt's eyes light up with a sense of purpose and passion. For this Army veteran, playing baseball is not just about hitting home runs or winning games; it's about serving something greater than himself. When Bryan joined the US Military Warogs, he was already a seasoned athlete. Bryan had always loved playing baseball, but it wasn't until he donned the uniform of the WarDogs that he felt truly fulfilled.
A Leader on and Off the Field: Brandon McCoy's Unwavering Commitment to Service and Baseball Meet Brandon McCoy, a 15-year veteran of the military who has served with distinction in both the Navy Reserve and Army Reserve. Currently, he serves as a recruiter in Wichita, Kansas, where he is dedicated to inspiring others to follow in his footsteps. But what may surprise you is that Brandon's passion for baseball is just as strong as his commitment to service. From playing tee-ball at 5 years old to walking onto the University of Houston-Downtown team in 2009, Brandon has been a ballplayer at heart. He's continued to play throughout leagues in various cities, including Houston, San Antonio, Northwest Arkansas, Kentucky/Indiana, and South New Jersey. In fact, Brandon was part of the MSBL World Series in Phoenix in 2018, and he even had the privilege of playing with the U.S. Military All-Stars in 2019. His experience with the All-Stars was a blast, but when they went dormant, Brandon didn't let that stop him from continuing to play baseball while representing the Army.
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