The Region's Team Of Northwest Indiana

MONDAY’S GAME:
U.S. Military All-Stars
at Northwest Indiana Oilmen (16-13)

July 22, 2019 • 7:10 p.m. • Whiting, Ind. • Oil City Stadium
Broadcast: Oilmen Broadcasting Network (Facebook Live) 

For one day, the baseball is secondary for the Northwest Indiana Oilmen. The U.S. Military All-Stars will provide the opposition on Monday for a stop on the team’s Red, White & Blue Tour as they continue the mission of promoting awareness and support for the honorable sacrifices our armed forces make. The team is comprised of active duty servicemen from all branches of service around the world. The gates are slated to open at 5:30 with pregame ceremonies beginning at 6:30 before the 7:10 p.m. first pitch.

Game Notes

• The U.S. Military All-Stars lead with honor, recognizing all men and women who have worn a uniform in defense of our freedom. They will hold a pregame ceremony, evoking emotion and pride in military personnel.
• The U.S. Military All-Stars have been in existence since 1990 as the original, largest, fastest growing and most successful military barnstorming team to date. They deliver competitive, exciting “must see” patriotic entertainment enjoyed by millions, visiting 45 states and 12 countries.
• Local singing sensation Jessica Lopez Schmidt will perform the National Anthem. A member of Pink Floyd Tribute Band Echoes of Pompeii and Mr. Funnyman, Jessica was born and raised in Whiting. A graduate of Columbia College of Chicago with a degree in music, she has taught piano at the Community Center and Studio 659 for six years. Along with teaching at the studio, she has served as the Vice President and founded/hosted the Whiting Idol for three years. In the spring, she opened “Region Escape Room” with her partners Justin and Rachel in downtown Whiting.
• The ceremonial first pitch will be handled by Don Porter, the manager of BP’s Whiting refinery. He has close ties to Northwest Indiana and played a key role in helping the Oilmen bring the U.S. Military All-Stars back to the Region. 
• A powerful moment will occur after the fifth inning on Monday, as the Oilmen will join Indiana Fallen Heroes in honoring those who have lost their lives in battle since Sept. 11, 2001. Everyone in the ballpark will stand to honor the fallen soldiers. Indiana Fallen Soldiers founder Paul Rosenwinkel will be in attendance for Monday’s game as the Oilmen recognize his cause, which has taken on a life of its own after beginning as a school project at Boone Grove Middle School.
• This will mark the fourth time the U.S. Military All-Stars have visited Oil City Stadium to play the Oilmen. The prior meetings occurred in 2012, 2013 and 2016. Although the scores of the game are a footnote compared to the true intent of the event, we’ll tell you anyway. The Oilmen fell 9-8 in 2012, won 9-6 in 2013 and fell 4-3 in 2016. The most recent matchup, which occurred on Independence Day 2016, saw the U.S. Military All-Stars put together an improbable rally after trailing 3-1 with two outs and nobody on base in the top of the ninth. A go-ahead double by Ryan Robb helped them win 4-3.
• RHP Brandon Laux is the probable starting pitcher for the Oilmen on what figures to be a staff day. The team will get as many pitchers and position players involved in the game as possible to allow them to experience this unique event.