MSBL First Responder: Commander Steven M. Needleman, MD, North Texas (Dallas) MSBL

By Steve LaMontia, Director of Communications

Commander Steven M. Needleman, MD is an Anesthesiologist in Austin, Texas and plays in the North Texas (Dallas) MSBL.  He is also a longtime teammate of Greg Schienda on the Connecticut Navigators in the 50-over division of the MSBL World Series.  Steven was recently asked to help in the coronavirus fight in New York City.  This journey is best told by Steven:

“I recently joined the Navy Reserve as they were critically short in my war time specialty three years ago.  I was prior Air Force but left the service in 1998.  I t was my privilege to be called to active duty this week to help the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic in New York City.  Along with medical personnel from all branches I am stationed at the field hospital inside the Javits Center.  Here we work long hours with few to no breaks, admitting COVID positive patients from local hospitals to alleviate their overflow.  Currently I am expected to be mobilized for 30-90 days but am authorized for up to 270 days if needed. 

The saddest part of all of this is there is no baseball (playing and watching).  I have had great memories in my almost 20 years of MSBL.  The two highlights in my baseball career that standout are playing in the Wounded Warriors softball game at Tempe Diablo Stadium during the MSBL World Series a few years back and winning the ring in the Father/Son division of the World Series.”

Thank you and be safe, everyone