Official U.S. Navy website - Commander Naval Surface Force, U.S. Pacific Fleet

Portland, Maine – Precommissioning unit (PCU) Stockdale (DDG 106) Fire Control Officer Lt.j.g Jeffrey Lange threw the first pitch for the Portland Seadogs baseball team at a game against the Altoona Curve Aug. 14.

“I always dreamed of pitching in professional baseball so when I got the opportunity to throw out the pitch at Hadlock Field, I was honored,” said Lange. “It was a great experience!”

Lange, who was a Division I starting pitcher at the U.S. Naval Academy, threw a perfect pitch from the Hadlock Field mound to begin the game.

“When our ship was invited to throw out the first pitch, Jeff Lange’s leadership and operational achievements made him the perfect choice to represent Stockdale,” said Cmdr. Fred Kache, Stockdale’s commanding officer. “The fact that he was a NCAA starting pitcher was just a bonus.”

Stockdale is the 56th Arleigh Burke class destroyer. The ship is currently being built by Bath Iron Works and is scheduled to be delivered to the Navy in early 2009. Stockdale will be homeported in San Diego, which is where the Stockdale family resides.