The Lake County Corn Dogs fought for victory on their home turf, winning 13-0 against the U.S. Military Wardogs in their first-ever match-up, which was aptly deemed the “Battle of the Dogs.”
Fans filled the stands Thursday evening at Legacy Fields in Crown Point to see their home team face off against the U.S. Military WarDogs, a team of veteran and active-duty service members who travel across the country playing for “Forever Not Forgotten,” an organization that serves veterans.
Casey Lee, WarDogs manager, said this marked game 12 of 18 for the season as they made their way going west to east, all traveling in a van together across the country.
Lee, of Susanville, California, said the team is made up of 10 to 12 players from throughout the U.S., some of whom end up getting deployed during the season. The night before the Crown Point game the team played in Chicago, with their next game set in Fort Wayne.
“We’re trying to raise as much money as we can to support nonprofits that provide service dogs to veterans, and also to honor veterans and those who gave their lives through ceremonies for fallen soldiers and their families,” Lee said.
American Legion posts throughout the region pledged donations to help veterans receive service dogs. Kevin Dvorak, commander of American Legion Post 20 in Crown Point, organized the efforts, coordinating with other groups. As of Thursday evening, the funds were still being tallied, but their goal was to donate a total of $10,000.
“It’s been a great opportunity for Post 20 to get involved in something different for the community,” Dvorak said. “This is a military all-star league. Everything fell into place so they could be here tonight.”
Corn Dogs majority owner Ralph Flores said the Corn Dogs pledged 20% of the game’s gate receipts to support the WarDogs’ cause. When Flores learned of the military team, he reached out to the WarDogs to see if they could come play in Crown Point.
“We are always trying to give back and our motto is ‘Building Community Through Baseball,’ and this is a part of that,” Flores said.
“Crown Point has been awesome,” Lee said. “The owners, the whole team, and American Legion Post 20 have been fantastic. They’ve all been so welcoming.”
Lee said the team has come together through the season, highlighting catcher Ruger Beck, an Army veteran; team captain and shortstop R.J. Vaughan, an active-duty Navy member; and pitcher Ken Breuder, a Navy veteran.
“When I was looking at the schedule and I saw the Corn Dogs written in and saw their mascot, I marked it on my list that I wanted to make sure I grabbed a hat or a T-shirt before the night’s over.”
This marks the third season playing for the WarDogs for Vaughan, of San Diego.
“It’s really about coming together with our brothers in arms,” Vaughan said. “I’ve known this guy to my left (Beck) for three weeks and I’d take a bullet for him. Traveling together, sharing hotel rooms. It’s about that sense of brotherhood.”
Breuder has played with the WarDogs since 2015 when he was stationed in Japan. For him, it’s the cause that keeps him coming back.
“If having a service dog provides any peace or comfort to a vet in their home, it’s an honor to be able to help,” Breuder said. “I’m now a vet so I can relate to some of the things they deal with after service. To just be able to give back- that’s what it’s all about. Baseball is just the secondary thing, the icing on the cake.
Colleen Tibbs, CEO of Patriots Training Service Dogs based out of Cedar Lake, said she has seen firsthand how a service dog can change a vet’s life.
“One good example of that is one of our first vets to graduate from the program. He could not even go out to a grocery store during the day, but after getting his service dog, everything completely changed,” Tibbs said. “Now he is living the best life he can.”
Tibbs said it is a lengthy training process that takes years, in which they seek out dogs from rescues and shelters to become service dogs. She said veterans and anyone wishing to donate can reach the organization at P.O. Box 103, Cedar Lake, IN 46303, or by calling 352-456-1106.
“Every dollar counts and helps us continue this,” Tibbs said. “Donations are the only way we can survive. We have volunteers that come every week to give their time without pay. Our payment is veterans’ happiness. Seeing them go out to live life to the fullest.”
Richard “Butch” Fortner, commander of the DAV Chapter 80 in Crown Point, said events like these spread awareness of veterans’ issues and the organizations that aid them. His organization is one of many that collaborated for donations.
“I’ve known other vets who have had service dogs, and you would be amazed what that has done for them,” Fortner said. “It protects them in a way, keeps them comfortable and feeling safe. It also brings them out of their shell and exercising and going for walks.”
Fortner said fundraisers like their annual golf outing in September have led to being able to donate thousands of dollars to local veterans every year.
“The need here is very high,” Fortner said. “Every veteran, at some point in life, doesn’t need a handout, they need a hand up. It’s very important we help them get that hand up.”
Anna Ortiz is a freelance reporter for the Post-Tribune.
