Team USA heading to meet the President of the United States

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BONITA SPRINGS, Fla.- Hard work pays off! A baseball team made up mostly of wounded war heroes is heading to meet the president.

Last October, Team USA made history representing the red, white and blue on the baseball field and winning over an undefeated Japan.

“We were going over there to represent the United States and wear USA across our chests, it pretty much humbles you,” said the team’s director, David Van Sleet.

Now the United States president is honoring the team for winning the gold during the World Physically Challenged Tournament.

“That hit an ultimate high for me, you can imagine what it felt like for the guys,” said Van Sleet.

Team USA is made up of 10 wounded war heroes and four physically challenged college baseball players. Many of them also play for the Wounded Warrior Amputee Softball Team that plays in Bonita Springs.

“Going over there and winning the gold medal in Japan was one of the biggest highlights of my athletic career in my life,” said player Matthew Kinsey.

Army veteran Matthew Kinsey lost his right foot in Afghanistan.

“I just got in my groove. I think I threw 10 innings, struck out 19, gave up two hits, I just got in the rhythm,” said Kinsey.

Kinsey was named Most Valuable Player in Japan and says he is looking forward to taking a selfie with the president.

“If he says anything about my pitching, I was going to challenge him and say, ‘Hey, you got a pretty big yard back there.'”

The team will meet the president on Thursday. They’ll present him with this custom-made Louisville Slugger baseball bat engraved with his name and a Team USA jersey. Then the team will be honored at the start of the Washington Nationals game against the Chicago Cubs at Nationals Park.

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