AF softball team prepares at Eglin for All Services tournament

  • Published
  • By Samuel King Jr.
  • Team Eglin Public Affairs
EGLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. --  The Men's Air Force softball team spent the week of Sept. 14-18 here preparing for the all-services tournament in Pensacola, Fla. 

The team has spent the week practicing at Foster Stadium and playing a few local tournaments before going head to head against the other services beginning Sept. 20. 

"We've hosted the training camp here since 1999," said Steve Shortland, AF softball team coach for eight years. "We always get great support here, and the field and facilities are fantastic." 

The team has a past legacy of championship play, winning the tournament three straight years beginning in 2004. The coach feels they have a good chance again this year. 

"We've got great players with great team chemistry," said Mr. Shortland, a former player and retired senior NCO. 

Tryouts for the team were held at Eglin in late August with 26 active-duty and active-reserve Airmen invited. This year, 15 people were chosen. Four 'rookies' joined the eleven AF softball team veterans. Five of the veterans have five or more years on the AF team. 

Being on the team is an extreme privilege," said Senior Airman Michael Melton, a two-year AF team member and a firefighter with the 96th Civil Engineer Squadron. Airman Melton added that he began playing softball five years ago when he joined the military. 

Master Sgt. Daniel Simpson, an AF team member off and on since 1997, said this new team is different from teams in the past. 

"It's a new experience every year when you enter tryouts," said Sergeant Simpson, who is currently stationed at Hurlburt Field. "We have a very athletic team and I think this is the fastest team we've ever had." 

During the five-day tournament, each team plays the other services three times each.  The team with the best overall record is declared the winner.  In the event of a tie, the two teams would meet head-to-head to declare an All Services winner. 

"To win, it takes every one of these guys to get us there - all 15 pistons clicking at the same time," said Sergeant Simpson.