Sailors from the reactor department of the aircraft carrier USS George Washington (CVN 73) have a unique way to blow off steam: playing softball.

Electronics Technician (Nuclear) 2nd Class Alexander Kersey, reactor department's Morale, Welfare and Recreation representative, started the departmental team, the "White Owls," five weeks ago.

Kersey played baseball throughout high school and is now the team's captain.

"It's a pretty good morale-booster," said Kersey. "In reactor we spend all day in the bottom of the ship working. So we can get out here and actually play softball and have some fun."

The team has played six games so far, and even designed their own jerseys. Different teams from other ships come out to play, bringing some friendly competition to the field.

"It's a great way to blow off steam," said Electronics Technician 3rd Class Zackary Fowler, a White Owls teammate. "Working in reactor can be very stressful and it's nice to come out here, run and sweat a little bit, and have a good time."

They start by warming up for about an hour before the game, tossing softballs back and forth. Some players grab bats and practice their swings.

About thirty minutes prior to the game, Kersey checks the lineup card and makes sure everyone knows where they need to be. He relays the strategy to his teammates and shares words of encouragement.

A few minutes before game time, families and friends of the White Owls arrive and sit in the stands. They have cameras ready in hand for the upcoming game.

Once it begins, they all start to work as a team and communicate with each other.

"We come out here, and we form a team, aside from being a division," said Fowler. "It builds more of a friendship, more camaraderie."

Although the team is intently focused on the game, everyone remembers it's all in good fun.

"We're not worried about winning," said Kersey. "We have a lot of new people. It's good times."

The fields are located across the street from Pierside Lanes, on the corner of Virginia Avenue and B Avenue. The schedule of the games varies, so Sailors can contact Kersey for dates and times. Everyone is welcome to come out and support the CVN 73 White Owls.


For more information, visit http://www.navy.mil, http://www.facebook.com/usnavy, or http://www.twitter.com/usnavy.

For more news from USS George Washington (CVN 73), visit www.navy.mil/.