Marlins' annual troop visit set for December

MIAMI -- Reaching out to the troops has become an annual event for the Marlins.

Once again, the organization is sending a contingent of players and team representatives overseas to visit those in the armed services.

The difference this time is the visit is taking place earlier than in the past.

n cooperation with Armed Forces Entertainment (AFE), the Marlins will be traveling to see troops stationed around the world from Dec. 1-15. The tour will include military bases in Japan, Guam and Hawaii.

Three players will be making the trip -- catcher Brett Hayes, and outfielders Mike Stanton and Bryan Petersen.

Vice chairman Joel Mael, vice president and general counsel Derek Jackson and game presentation and events supervisor Luis Dones also will be part of the group.

Also on the tour will be team mascot Billy the Marlin, as well as Ashley, Jackie and Stephanie of the Mermaids dance squad.

"It's definitely an honor and a huge opportunity to go out and visit those who are risking their lives for us," Hayes said.

In years past, the Marlins went overseas beginning in late January or early February, and the visits became a lead-in to the start of Spring Training.

In 2010, the Marlins became the first Major League Baseball team to take active players to visit those serving in the United States military.

The first group visited military bases in Iraq and Kuwait. Chris Coghlan, John Baker and former manager Fredi Gonzalez were part of that tour.

In February, Logan Morrison, John Buck and front-office staff traveled to Bahrain and Germany. In a separate visit, Gaby Sanchez and Chris Volstad made a visit to Guantanamo Bay, Cuba.

"It's something really special," Hayes said. "I'm glad to represent the Marlins. I think this is amazing. It goes a long way."

As part of the tour, the players, Billy the Marlin, the Mermaids and front-office staff will participate in activities such as baseball clinics, dance clinics, meet and greets, participate in a softball game and tour Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, and Hiroshima, Japan.

The latest visit actually is a bit longer than in the past, when the contingent was away ranging from a week to 10 days.

In recent years, Hayes has traveled to Europe twice. During his second stop, he spent time with a friend at a military base in Germany.

"We were able to see the base there," the catcher said. "We saw the jets and all the cool stuff.

"This is an official Armed Forces Entertainment-sponsored event. But if it is anything like I've experienced before, it's going to be amazing. I look forward to it. It's nice to go over there and give them a little piece of home. It's the least I can do for what they do for us