Last modified Wed., April 02, 2008 - 04:41 PM
Originally created Thursday, April 3, 2008

CNATTU chief to coach Military All-Stars

By AEC Raymond Derrick, CNATTU Jax PAO

STGC(SW) Jason Mauloni (left) meets former baseball player Bob Feller at a Baseball for Kids charity dinner in Tampa, Fla. After the Pearl Harbor bombing, Feller a Cleveland Indians pitcher (1936-1956), was the first major league baseball player to enlist in the military. He served the Navy four years on board USS Alabama in the gunnery department advancing to the rank of chief petty officer (CPO) before returning to baseball. He is the only CPO in the Baseball Hall of Fame. Photos courtesy of CNATTU Jax

STGC(SW) Jason Mauloni, command career counselor for the Center for Naval Aviation Technical Training Unit Jax has been selected as the assistant head coach of the 2008 U.S. Military All-Stars baseball team.

U.S. Military All-Stars is an organization that was started by former President George Bush in 1990. Bush envisioned giving armed forces personnel a once in a lifetime opportunity to showcase their professionalism while delivering highly competitive and exciting entertainment to Americans in support of our troops. Since then, 30 all-military teams in all branches of the armed forces worldwide have been established and featured by numerous media outlets.

The U.S. Military All-Stars Baseball Team is entering into their 19th annual Red, White, and Blue Tour of America. The team will travel to 35 states and six countries during the tour playing the area's top teams.

Although new to the coaching side of baseball, Mauloni played on the All-Navy Baseball Team, as it was named then, in 1992-94, 1996 and 2003 as a starting pitcher. As a coach, he will be responsible for selecting the 25-member joint armed forces team at open tryouts held on bases around the world. "I am thrilled to have been given this opportunity to coach. I've been involved with the organization since joining the Navy in 1991 and this will give me a chance to give something back," said Mauloni. "It seems different to be a coach rather than a player but I guess I am getting a little older."

STGC(SW) Jason Mauloni (left) talks with Bob Feller (right) during the 2008 Major League Baseball Legend Charity Game in Clearwater, Fla. Feller, 89, pitched the first inning of the game. "I throw the ball as hard as I ever did, it just takes longer to cross home plate," said Feller.

"Only the very best earn the right to wear the famous 'USA' camouflage uniform and represent

their service branch. The mission of the team is to promote the awareness to all Americans in support of the honorable sacrifices our armed forces make at the 'tip of the spear,'" he added.

The team receives no funding from the federal government and operates solely on donations. The scope of responsibility the team has far exceeds the games played. A major recruiting tool, the team attracts more than 25 million spectators a year to their games and captures worldwide media attention.

Spring training for the 2008 team will be held at the University of North Florida April 1-19. For more information about the U.S. Military All-Stars and a complete schedule for the Red, White and Blue tour, visit www.usmilitaryallstars.us.