MARINE CORPS AIR STATION IWAKUNI, Japan -- As the temperature rises for summer, so does the need for a summer softball season. Thanks to the requests of the station’s softball players, Marine Corps Community Services Intramural Sports division was able to host the 2010 Intramural Summer Softball Tournament.
The tournament featured eight teams, bringing their mitts, bats and of course their balls to the main softball field in front of Building 1 here Saturday.
The competition was hard-hitting and competitively matched with no real indication of any one team looking like they would emerge the victor at the end.
“It was a really good outcome,” said Andrew Porche, MCCS Intramural Sports coordinator. “We didn’t have any forfeits, so that means every team showed up ready to play.”
BOP/Marine Wing Support Squadron 171 took the tournament with a nearly unblemished record after outfielding, outhitting and outlasting Headquarters and Headquarters Squadron 14-7 in the championship game.
“I got to give these guys the credit. They really, really put out and performed unbelievably,” said Michael R. Coletta, catcher for H&HS. “MWSS- 171 is just a bunch of great guys and great sports. If we are going to lose to anyone in the finals, I’m glad it was those guys.”
BOP/MWSS-171 had a perfect record of 3-0 going into what should have been the championship game.
Due to double-loss elimination, H&HS with a 5-1 record had to beat them twice to take the tournament. Needless to say, H&HS came through in their first meeting with a comefrom- behind 10-7 win to force a second game and a possible championship title for the tired squad.
BOP/MWSS-171 regrouped during the time between games and gained their composure to face off once again, but this time it was for all the peanuts.
They came out of the dugout swinging, quickly jumping to a 5-0 lead and never looked back. Despite all efforts and strategies, H&HS could not seem to field the ball the way they wanted to or hit the ball in any direction other than into a glove of the opponent.
“The team fought to our very last breath, but a lot of our energy was behind us at that point,” said Coletta.
In the end, it was BOP/MWSS-171 who ended the tournament with the win, a nearly flawless record and of course the trophy.
“We did about as well as you can ask a team to do,” said Anthony Baker, coach and shortstop for BOP/MWSS- 171. “I’m extremely proud of them.”
The Intramural Summer Softball Tournament was just a glimpse of what’s to come. The regular season is scheduled to start June 21. For additional information on it or any other intramural sports, call 253-3067.