Four years ago, Matthew Ritenour would have been thankful to walk, much less play baseball.
In 10 days the former U.S. Army staff sergeant and Huntley resident is penciled in to be the first baseman for Team Salute Inc. at the Chicago White Sox Fantasy Camp in Glendale, Ariz.
White Sox Fantasy Baseball Camp site Ritenour, 36, is a presidential Silver Star recipient and one of a group of seven wounded military veterans given the opportunity to attend the White Sox Fantasy Camp, courtesy of the White Sox, Salute Inc. and the Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago.
On Sept. 4, 2007, Ritenour and his unit fought against 180 Taliban fighters who attacked their base in southern Afghanistan. Although he was shot in the head and partially paralyzed during the battle, Ritenour fought on, encouraging nearby soldiers and using a radio to call in mortar fire on the enemy.
