Wounded Warriors take on Lee County first responders on ballfield

BONITA SPRINGS, Fla.- A group of brave men went head to head with Lee County first responders on the softball field.

The Wounded Warrior Amputee Softball Team kicked off their 2015 season Sunday. These brave American heroes have a lot of heart when it comes to the game.

“These guys are tough, they are competitors,” said Lt. Jeffery Dektas, Lee County Sheriff’s Office.

The Wounded Warriors took to the field, ready to take on a fierce battle against the Lee County Sheriff’s Office and the Bonita Springs Fire Department.

“We’ve all got a common ground, everybody has served, everybody is injured,” said Sgt. Justin Feagin.

These American warriors have traded in their military uniform, for a softball uniform and have gone from the battlefield to the ball field.

“Being on this team brings a lot of camaraderie you have in the service,” said Feagin.

Feagin did two tours of duty overseas, one to Iraq and one to Afghanistan.

“I was confused as to what life was going to hold for me in the future.”

Just six months after he got to Afghanistan, his life would be forever changed. He lost one of his legs when an IED exploded. Feagin’s partner didn’t survive the blast.

“First thing that went through my mind was, ‘can I stand up?'”

Every member on the team has lost one or more of their limbs during their service. Watching them on the field, you can tell these players are no different than professional ball players, if not better.

“The prosthetics we use on the field, I don’t say they hinder us at all, there may be some limitations.”

The Wounded Warriors played the Bonita Springs Fire Department once before and came back for round two.

“We came out to play and we always usually lose, but that day we were on and won,” said veteran Jim Lamb.

Lamb served in the army and is now part of the Bonita Springs Fire Department.

“We’ve done a lot of stretching, we are getting ready for them this year,” said Lamb.

Jeff Dektas with Lee County Sheriff’s Office pitched multiple innings of the game.

“It’s going to be tough to get those nerves calmed down and get the ball over to the plate and get them hitting.”

The Sheriff’s Office beat the Wounded Warriors 15 to 14, BSFD won 18 to 12, and earlier today, LCSO and Bonita Springs Fire played ball against each other. LCSO took that win too.