Miami Chapter
est. 2018

How Our Chapter Started

Our inaugural chapter has its roots in the July 4, 2016 game between the Marlins and the Braves, held at Ft Bragg, NC. It was, to the best of our knowledge, the first MLB game held at an active military base. While watching that game, filled to capacity, the light bulb went off. How can we get veterans to baseball games to fill the many unused seats at most weekday games? It took more than a year of learning, planning and working. Vetbaseball was the result.

Our first trip was May 17, 2018, with two busses from the Alexander Nininger VA Nursing Home, located in Pembroke Pines, FL. Since then, we have hosted just over 2,200 Veterans to Marlins games, and expect to host another 500 this 2025 season.

To date, the Miami Chapter has provided a game day experience to over 2,000 veterans!


Our inaugural chapter- here is where it all started. We depend on dedicated volunteers to make our trips safe, comfortable, and enjoyable. Thank you one and all!

Miami Chapter Founding Volunteers

Ray Palecek, Coordinator, US Army Veteran
Tamika and Nigel Anderson
Rudy Horak
, US Air Force Veteran
Pat Caruso
John “Drew” Gregg
Patty Whetzel Copalko
Denise Sandstrom
Bob Chilton,
US Air Force Veteran
Pete Connolly,
US Army Veteran