Eglin begins police week with softball tourney

  • Published
  • By Ashley M. Wright
  • Team Eglin Public Affairs
EGLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. --  Softball teams from four different bases came together to compete in a tournament to raise funds for a memorial in honor of fallen brethren, May 8.

In the end, the 96th Air Base Wing Security Forces team from Eglin defeated seven other teams from Tyndall AFB, Keesler AFB and Hurlburt Field, to be named champions of the 2010 Security Forces Police Week softball tournament.

"This was our first game," said Airman 1st Class Travis Walker, 96th SFS centerfielder. "We came out, hit and played defense."

This simple recipe led to a 6-0 tournament record. The championship victory came in a 40-28 defeat over the 46th Test Wing Maintenance Squadron.

"We had a lot of fun," said Staff Sgt. Chris Cooley, 46th MXS left centerfielder, "I think we played really well. We were able to come out and swing, but security forces put up a good game."

Senior Airman Myles Fair was voted most valuable player for his role on the championship team.

The catcher is still learning in his first year as a softball player and admits the team is teaching him the basics; however, he did figure out how to hit a homerun in the championship game.

Security forces from the 1st Special Operations Wing, Hurlburt Field, took home the third place plaque.

The goal of the tournament was to raise funds for the Police Officers' Memorial and security forces ball, while honoring the military and civilian police officers, said Staff Sgt. Travis Holcomb, tournament director from the 96th SFS.

Fighting off the clouds and slight drizzle, the teams first competed in three games, leading into the single elimination tournament. The tournament also included a home run derby.