The day started out overcast and rainy at Harbor Park, but the sun came out long enough for USS Kearsarge (LHD 3) Sailors and their families to enjoy "Kearsarge Night" with the Norfolk Tides baseball team, Aug. 11.

The Morale, Welfare, and Recreation (MWR) sponsored-event gave Kearsarge Sailors and their families the opportunity to enjoy a picnic and a great game as the Norfolk Tides batted against the Durham Bulls.

Aviation Boatswain's Mate (Handling) 1st Class David Brown, leading petty officer for MWR, said events like these show appreciation to the crew and their families.

"MWR is all about the crew," Brown added.

As part of the event, Capt. Larry Getz, Kearsarge's executive officer, made his way to the pitcher's mound and threw the opening pitch.

"It was a great honor and I really appreciated a chance to throw the first pitch," said Getz.

The Kearsarge color guard then took the field, as Hospital Corpsman 3rd Class Kimberly Whitfield sang the national anthem to get the game started.

"It is nice to be here at Harbor Park," said Logistics Specialist 2nd Class Patrick Cronan. "It's a blast to be here with friends and family doing stuff we normally don't do. We're eating watermelon and free hot dogs. You can't ask for much more. It's American!"

At the end of the game, the Norfolk Tides walked away with a 3-1 win.

Kearsarge is scheduled to deploy this fall to the 5th and 6th Fleet areas of responsibility.

For more news from USS Kearsarge (LHD 3), visit www.navy.mil/