<p>Air Force denies waiver for baseball star, Phillies draft pick
By Gene Rector - <a href="mailto:grector@macon.com">grector@macon.com</a></p>
<p>WARNER ROBINS --
A top Defense Department official has ruled that an Air Force Academy graduate, originally ticketed for assignment to Robins Air Force Base, must serve at least two years before pursuing a professional baseball career.</p>
<p>The decision denies 2nd Lt. Karl Bolt's request for waiver or modification of his active duty commitment. Bolt was drafted in the 15th round by the Philadelphia Phillies.</p>
<p>The Stockton, Calif., native, a spring graduate of the academy, could not be reached for comment Tuesday, but he previously told The Telegraph that two years away from the game can be a lifetime for a baseball player.</p>
<p>"You're pretty much done from a skills standpoint," he said in an interview in June. "Plus, by then I'd be 23 and interest from Major League Baseball will be gone."</p>
<p>The 6-2, 215-pound power hitter said he would be willing to fulfill his military commitment in a number of ways - during the off-season, after finishing a professional baseball career or by extended time in the reserves.</p>
<p>The decision to deny the waiver was handed down by Dr. David Chu, the undersecretary of defense for personnel and policy.</p>
<p>Defense Department spokesman Lt. Col. Jonathan Witherton said the decision was based on current policy guidelines.</p>
<p>"As you can appreciate, we are a nation at war and Dr. Chu disapproved the officer's request for waiver," Witherton said in an e-mail Tuesday in response to a Telegraph inquiry.</p>
<p>Academy graduates typically serve five years on active duty, although some football players have received waivers to serve two years with six years in the reserves.</p>
<p>Bolt has been reassigned to MacDill Air Force Base, Fla., although Air Force Pentagon spokesman Capt. Tom Wenz said the shift in duty station was unrelated to the waiver request.</p>
<p>"They needed him at MacDill," Wenz confirmed Tuesday. "He has reported for duty and is scheduled to attend technical school in the spring."</p>
<p>Robins spokesman George Jozens had no comment on Bolt's change in assignment.</p>
<p>MacDill officials have apparently given the first baseman clearance to attend a Florida instructional league that runs from Sept. 16 to Oct. 17. Steve Noworyta, the Phillies' director of minor leagues, said he appreciated the Air Force allowing Bolt to attend.</p>
<p>"Karl's a very good athlete and a very good baseball player," Noworyta said by telephone Tuesday. "We have about 37 players in camp and we thought Karl would benefit. We're grateful."</p>
<p>The Phillies official would not comment on the Defense Department's decision. "We're just taking it season by season," Noworyta said. "We'll just see what happens. We'll see how it goes."</p>
<p>The former all-Mountain West Conference player was able to complete his initial professional season this summer, playing for the Phillies' Gulf Coast League affiliate at Clearwater, Fla. According to the Baseball America Web site, Bolt had a .256 batting average along with eight home runs and 31 runs batted in.</p>
<p>Noworyta described Bolt as a solid prospect. "He handles himself defensively around the bag pretty well," he said, "and he swings the bat pretty well." </p>
<p>To contact writer Gene Rector, call 923-3109, extension 239.</p>