Baseball, desire to serve lead Stephenville graduate Ben Martin to Air Force Academy

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Ben Martin, a 2015 graduate of Stephenville High School, has received an appointment to the United States Air Force Academy where he will play baseball and be trained to become an officer in the Air Force following graduation. || Courtesy CHET MARTIN

By BRAD KEITH

TheFlashToday.com

(February 25, 2016) — Ben Martin, a 2015 graduate of Stephenville High School, is headed to the Air Force Academy.

Martin a multi-sport athlete at Stephenville who is currently playing baseball at Navarro College in Corsicana, says playing Division I baseball has always been a dream while the opportunity to serve his country is an honor.

Ben and his mother, Gina Martin. || Courtesy CHET MARTIN
Ben and his mother, Gina Martin. || Courtesy CHET MARTIN

“It’s a great institution with the opportunity to finish school and have a great career as an officer in the Air Force. It’s an honor to know I’ll get to serve my country and help protect and defend the freedoms we all enjoy,” Martin said. “It’s also a chance to fulfill my dream of playing Division I baseball in the Mountain West Conference, which is a really tough baseball conference.”

Martin says the year he is spending at junior college has been beneficial in his transition from home life and high school sports and studies.


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“There is a big difference between life and baseball in high school and playing college baseball while living away from home,” he said. “This has been a good step for me to understand those differences and learn how to handle them.”

Martin helped Stephenville to the state semifinals twice in football, qualified for multiple regional track and field meets and was instrumental in baseball playoff runs to the regional final, two regional quarterfinals and the area round.

Ben with his father, Chet Martin. || Courtesy GINA MARTIN
Ben with his father, Chet Martin. || Courtesy GINA MARTIN

“Playing baseball at Stephenville helped a lot, especially with the success we had the last couple years,” Martin said. “It definitely helps at the college level to come from a good high school program that teaches you the right way to play the game.”

Just like growing up in Stephenville helps with whatever life may bring his way, in the service or beyond. Martin is the son proud parents Chet and Gina Martin, both lifelong residents of Stephenville.

“Growing up in Stephenville you know you have the whole community behind you and everyone comes together when they need to,” he said. “There are great opportunities and great people in Stephenville. It’s a great place to grow up and call home.”

Ben Martin, a 2015 graduate of Stephenville High School, has received an appointment to the United States Air Force Academy where he will play baseball and be trained to become an officer in the Air Force following graduation. || Courtesy CHET MARTIN
Ben Martin, a 2015 graduate of Stephenville High School, has received an appointment to the United States Air Force Academy where he will play baseball and be trained to become an officer in the Air Force following graduation. || Courtesy CHET MARTIN

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1 Comment

  1. Thank you for this write up on Ben Martin. Ya’ll do a fantastic job, especially with your human interest stories. We hear so much about all the bad stuff kids are doing these days. Nice to know there are young people like Ben in our community.

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