A Heroic Finale: Mixed Nutts Wrap Up the Season
with a Heartfelt Win at Borman Field!
On Saturday, June 27, Borman Field was alive with community spirit, laughter, and deep gratitude as the Tug McGraw Foundation’s Mixed Nutts took the field for their final game of the season. This wasn't just any game—the theme of the day was "Heroes," dedicated to celebrating and honoring our local service members, first responders, and resilient survivors.
Ceremonial First Pitches & Birthday Celebrations
The pre-game ceremonies set a deeply moving tone for the day, featuring two incredible ceremonial first pitches:
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Winery owner and Army veteran Fred Schweiger, alongside his daughter-in-law Paula Schweiger, delivered a beautiful pitch to Army veteran Frank Peterson.
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Chris Ramirez, an incredible 17-year Glioblastoma survivor, threw out the next pitch. Catching for him was Aruana Morgan, an Air Force veteran and inspiring 10-year Glioblastoma survivor.
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To make the moment even more special, members of the Mixed Nutts team stepped up to deliver flowers to Sally Schweiger (Fred's wife) and Sarah (Chris' mom). Because Chris was also celebrating his 34th birthday, the entire ballpark broke out into an impromptu rendition of "Happy Birthday." To top it all off, Mixed Nutt Gene Burke surprised Chris with a delivery of the famous Bouchon Bakery "Oh Ohs!"
Pancakes and Hometown Rivals
For this final showdown, the Mixed Nutts chose to face off against their favorite hometown heroes: The Dirty Dozen, also known as Yountville's own Station 12 Fire Department. Station 12 is a massive part of the foundation's "Tribe" and can be found supporting the team at every single game. Before the action on the diamond even started, Station 12 firefighter Foxy was busy working the grill, flipping flapjacks for the crowd during the early-game "Pancakes in the Ball Park" feast.
A Game of Crazy Rules and In-the-Park Magic
What makes a Mixed Nutts game an absolute blast is the chaotic fun brought by Coach Tom Parkinson (an Army veteran medic) and his legendary "crazy rules."
The electric atmosphere was fueled by the incredible talents of the game-day crew keeping everyone energized and capturing the memories:
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Elizabeth Boyd (Air Force veteran), serving as the unmistakable "Voice of the Mixed Nutts."
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Wes Hoppe (Air Force veteran), keeping the stadium rocking as the Mix Master DJ.
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John Lew (aka "Yoda"): Our shutterbug Army veteran behind the lens, who has done a masterful job capturing the team's best moments all season long.
It came as no surprise when the Mixed Nutts rallied to defeat the Dirty Dozen in a high-scoring, nail-biting thriller. The game was sealed in spectacular fashion with an incredible inside-the-park home run by Jack Brusstar, bringing the final score to 18-17!
With Gratitude to Our Community
An event this wonderful takes a village. The Tug McGraw Foundation extends a massive thank you to:
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Val and Connie: Our irreplaceable volunteers who are always at the helm, whether they are serving up fresh pancakes or cleaning up the bleachers.
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The Napa Valley Baseball Club: For their tireless work in maintaining the beautiful diamond we are lucky enough to call Borman Field.
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Our Fans: A huge thank you to the local community and the Yountville Veterans Home staff for coming out, packing the stands, and cheering on this heartfelt team.
Ya Gotta Believe
What a perfect end to an unforgettable season! See You in 2027 or perhaps of Fall Game! Keep in Touch!
Vintage Vibes: Gilded Era Base Ball Photos Are Live!
What a spectacular trip back to the 1800s! The photos from our Gilded Era Base Ball Mixed Nutts game are officially posted and ready for viewing. Thank you to Robin and Michele Baggett, the Clarions, Eagles, Justin-Siena, Station12, Tracy Beaver, Newmans, Kelly E Carter, NVBC, DJ Wes, Napa Valley Cruisers, Sirs 149, and everyone who made it a home run!
NEXT MIXED NUTTS GAME JUNE 27 @ 10:30 AM PANCAKES IN THE STADIUM
CLEVE BORMAN FIELD, YOUNTVILLE, CA
The Mixed Nutts Softball Program
Honoring a Legacy of Service and Sport
The Mixed Nutts Softball Program is a flagship wellness initiative of the Tug McGraw Foundation, created specifically for the veteran residents and spouses at the Veterans Home of California, Yountville.
This program holds a deep historical resonance, as it takes place on the hallowed grounds of Cleve Borman Field. Commissioned and funded by the State of California for the sole purpose of providing recreation and joy to its veterans, the field is a testament to the state’s enduring commitment to those who served.
A Field of Dreams for the McGraw Brothers
For the McGraw family, this field is home. It is the very diamond where a young Tug McGraw and his brother, "Uncle" Hank McGraw, honed the skills and the legendary "You Gotta Believe" spirit that would take them to the heights of professional baseball. Today, our veterans walk in those same footsteps, turning the same soil to improve their own health across four vital pillars:
Physical: Enhancing mobility and vitality through active play.
Cognitive: Sharpening focus and mental agility on the diamond.
Social: Cultivating a powerful community support system through teamwork.
Spiritual: Finding purpose, laughter, and renewed hope in the game.
Why Purpose Matters for the Brain and Body
Purpose in Life (PIL) is a research area that focuses on the interactions between mind and body and the powerful ways in which emotional, mental, social, and spiritual factors can directly affect health. It links the belief that your life has meaning and purpose to a robust and persistently improved physiological health outcome. Kaplin, A., Anzaldi L., 2015. New Movement in Neuroscience: A Purpose Driven Life.
Photo: "Uncle" Hank McGraw, Tug's brother was a regular fixture at the Mixed Nuts games. Uncle Hank giving a hug to U.S. Army Veteran, Corpsman, Coach Tom Parkinson after delivering the first pitch. #RIPUNCLEHANK
The Event that Rolled Back Time #BrainBliss
For Our Nation's Veterans, First Responders, and Healthcare Workers
By Janel Andronico, ABC 7 Eyewitness News
Monday, November 7, 2022 1:25PM
YOUNTVILLE, Calif. -- Play ball! Superstars Guy Fieri and Tim McGraw recently joined forces to fundraise for Wine Country Weekend, consisting of food, softball and music! The event raised over one million dollars to benefit brain health and wellness for veterans, first responders, and healthcare professionals.
"Both Tim and I have the same appreciation and admiration for our vets and for active military. And when we started talking about this, it just kept escalating like, 'okay, well, let's have a food wine event. Okay, well, let's have a concert. Okay, well, let's feed the vets,'" explained Fieri.
The event transformed into all of the above plus a softball game happening at Veterans Home of California Yountville.
"I've been here 12 years, and this is the most incredible event this home has ever had in the 12 years I've been here. This is beyond belief," said Gary Sloan Allied Council Chair of the Veterans Home.
"It made me tear up a few times. You see these, these guys come through and you realize what they've sacrificed," said McGraw. "It makes me feel awesome that we're able to do this and they're able to get out and come enjoy a day like this and get to spend some time...seeing something that's appreciating them."
