SAN DIEGO -- For 19-year-old Pfc. Carr R. Stockdale, deployment to a foreign country is a big move -- especially because most of his friends haven't moved out of their parents' house yet.
So it's not unlikely that a Marine his age would have a case of predeployment jitters.
To calm such jitters, Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron 369 took Stockdale and other gunfighters Aug. 11 to see the San Diego Padres play the New York Mets at PetCo Park - for rest and relaxation before their upcoming deployment to Afghanistan.
"They deserved it, they worked hard," said 1st Lt. Richard H. Witt, HMLA-369 pilot.
The Camp Pendleton-based squadron loaded two busses with Marines wearing sports jerseys and baseball caps.
When they got there, some Marines got hot dogs and cold drinks to cool them off from the San Diego sun.
Some Marines took their seats near legendary women's baseball player Alice "Lefty" Hohlmayer, unbeknownst to them.
And although the Marines didn't know she was there, Lefty knew they were there.
"It's good to have them here -- I do believe it relaxes them in a way," Lefty said.
When the gunfighters finally found out Lefty was just a few seats away, their baseball caps raised off the brim of their brow.
"What! She's here?" whispered Lance Cpl. Tim Blinde, an air framer for HMLA-369.
However, the attention shifted to center field when Carlos Beltran and Mike Cameron, two outfielders for the Mets, violently collided trying to catch a fly ball from Padre's David Ross in the seventh inning.
The Marines then snapped to attention as if standing in Monday morning's formation, while others there gasped, stunned from the clash.
"Did you see that?" could be heard among the Marines and heaps of poised people there.
After the announcer assured the baseball fans that the players would receive proper medical attention, crowds clapped as the two were carried of the field.
The Marines quickly turned their attention back to the game, their beverage of choice and the relaxing atmosphere.
"It's (just) good to have a day off and go out with the rest of the guys in the squadron," said Stockdale, also an HMLA-369 air framer.
"(And) the Padres defeating the Mets 2-1 was just a bonus," added Gunnery Sgt. Jeff P. Wilfong, HMLA-369 ordnance noncommissioned officer-in-charge.