There are plenty of reasons why players arrive mid-season to the CCBL. Some are recovering from a 50+ game college season. Some are in the transfer portal and exploring new opportunities. Some are even playing for their national teams. Almost never is it because a player is taking part in exercises with the United States Marine Corps. But for Aidan Healy (Navy), that was the case.

For the last month or so before arriving on the Cape, Healy was stationed in Quantico, V.A. for Marine Corps training at the US Marine Corps Installation. There, he spent a couple days per week in the field and was training consistently. Even though he is a student athlete for the Midshipmen, Healy is still obligated to do summer training like all students at the Naval Academy. Healy found the experience to be really interesting, and enjoyed getting involved in the Marine Corps culture with fellow Midshipmen during his time at the installation.

“The relationships that you build with the people you’re with is easily one of the best parts of the experience,” Healy said. “But getting immersed into the Marine Corps culture and doing stuff with the basic school in Quantico was also cool, I got to see a taste of what the future could hold.”

The pitcher out of Malverne, N.Y. joined the Kettleers on July 17, and has already made two appearances out of the bullpen.

While he has struggled a bit to start — posting a 9.00 ERA in the short sample size — a lot of those struggles can be attributed to the fact that he had only thrown a baseball a couple times between his season ending in May and arriving on Cape. During his stay on the base, Healy was working out but was not able to get his normal baseball work in and only ramped up in the last couple weeks.

Healy has had an interesting journey during his time with the Midshipmen. He barely played his freshman year, making just four appearances for a total of two innings before getting banged up. The next year, he missed the entire season due to getting Tommy John surgery.

One quirk of being at the Naval Academy is that athletes can decide to transfer out before the start of their junior year and not have to fulfill their military service obligation. With that little playing time in two years, many athletes in Healy’s spot would be inclined to find a new institution. However, Healy decided to return to the Midshipmen for his junior year.

The decision to come back to the Naval Academy was two-pronged. Firstly, Healy wanted to bet on his ability and knew that he could carve out a bigger role in the Midshipmen’s bullpen. In that respect, he was correct as his appearances tripled from his freshman year and his innings increased fivefold. Healy also held opponents to just a .216 batting average.

However, the second and more important reason is that Healy wanted to honor his commitment to serve and cares deeply about serving his country. He chose to attend the Naval Academy out of high school knowing he wanted to serve his country, and did not want to give up on that goal.

“I am so proud to be from the Naval Academy and to go there. I have a lot of loyalty to our coaching staff and everyone at the academy…” Healy said. “I never really had a thought of leaving and so staying on for the next two years and my five or more years in the service after was a no brainer.”

As for what Healy wishes to take from his college experience onto the Cape, he said he wants to bring the work ethic and determination the academy instilled in him onto the team. His teammates and coaches have already noticed, and respect how hard he works day in and day out to improve his craft.

“I absolutely love being around the kid, he works so hard all the time,” Coach Rob Cooper said. “I think we’re all better for having guys like that in our midst.”

Baseball is a great game, but it is also a privilege. A big part of why Americans can enjoy the nation’s pastime is because of the sacrifices our troops make every day to keep the United States of America safe. Healy is a part of that sacrifice, working to become the best midshipman he can be knowing that he will be protecting over 340 million people back at home when he finishes his career. That in itself is more honorable than any championship or personal achievement that could happen on the field.

“What [Healy has] signed up to do and will be doing this time next year is why we all get to do what we do,” Cooper said. “We’re really fortunate a guy like that gets to represent Cotuit.”