MARINE CORPS AIR STATION IWAKUNI, Japan -- Six plush balls, each a different color, are lined up at the half court line. The whistle is blown and the sound of feet shuffling is heard. The rubber from the soles of the players’ shoes squeak against the shiny, waxed basketball court floor. Hands from either side of the line quickly dart out and grab one of the six balls.
Once a ball is grabbed, the team member backs up with their weapon in hand. The player stands like a warrior waiting for the opportune moment to strike and throw the ball.
Six teams battled in a dodgeball tournament here at the IronWorks Gym sports courts Saturday with Rack Inspectors snagging the first place title against Munis in an epic finish.
The teams were given the opportunity to draw cards giving the team with the highest number a bye from the first round. The teams that won the draw were Chorizo and Frijoles.
The first teams to take the challenge were Rack Inspectors and Munis.
The Rack Inspectors took the first game dropping Munis into the loser’s bracket.
The second game was against The Gun Show and PAO. PAO didn’t meet the standards and lost against The Gun Show dropping them into the loser’s bracket.
Chorizo and Frijoles came up from their bye rounds to challenge Rack Inspectors and The Gun Show.
Frijoles proved to be no match for The Gun Show. The Gun Show shot down Frijoles drawing dodgeballs like old western pistols in a duel.
“We tried our best and we feel pretty successful so far since we’ve only lost one game,” said Daniel F. Leal, The Gun Show team member. ”We came out to boost morale and to have a good time.”
Chorizo was gobbled up by the Rack Inspectors, which continued to prove their dominating presence in the tournament.
The Rack Inspectors had the quick draw advantage against The Gun Show. The Rack Inspectors beat The Gun Show to the punch and sent them packing into the loser’s bracket.
After the win against The Gun Show, it was the Rack Inspector’s turn to take a break while those in the loser’s bracket try and resurrect their teams for their last chance to win the tournament.
PAO played first against Munis but did not continue on to the next round and became the first team eliminated from the tournament.
Chorizo was the next team to come out victorious beating Frijoles down and sending them home refried.
Chorizo was eliminated in the next round against Munis and was sent back sent home to reminisce about winning their childhood game.
The Gun Show had their last show against Munis in the loser’s bracket final but lost their second shot against Rack Inspectors and the championship.
“We didn’t come out here to compete as much as we came out here to have fun,” said John A. Alteiri, member of The Gun Show. “Losing is not important.”
It came down to the best of three matches once again in which Rack Inspectors won the first round.
Munis was not prepared to admit defeat just yet coming back and beating the Rack Inspectors in the second round tying it up for a third match.
Tying the game only added fuel to the fire for the Rack Inspectors. The last match came down to one player on either side. Both teams had their guard up, but the Rack Inspectors came out victorious when the last standing team member caught the ball thrown by Munis.
“Munis was talking a lot of trash at work. So it feels good to win against them,” said Justin Feingold, Rack Inspectors team member.
Even though Munis lost the championship they gained something else.
“This tournament brought a lot of camaraderie and unit cohesion,” said Feingold. “It was great because our whole work center decided to do it as a team.”
Jason D. Hulette, Munis team member, brought out his immediate work center because of an ad he saw to help get the Marines to be active.
The rivalry between the teams started at work when the trash talking began. It was Hulette’s strategy to get everyone together.
“The first, second and third place teams all work together,” said Hulette. “It was fun and a great game.”
The first and second place teams all received individual trophies for participation and a team trophy.
The team members all cheered for one another as the trophies were passed out, a true sign of camaraderie and good sportsmanship.