Teams play Military World softball

  • Published
  • By Chrissy Cuttita
  • 325th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
Three Tyndall softball teams returned from competitive inter-service rivalry with their heads held up high Sunday. 

Airman, Soldiers, Sailors and Marines from bases around the world reported to duty on Frank Brown Park's softball fields in Panama City Beach for the U.S. Slow-pitch Softball Association's Military World Championship tournament. 

Tyndall's Lady Tigers placed seventh of 15 in the women's military category, while the 325th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron Playmakers placed seventh and 2NQ Nomads placed ninth of 13 teams in the military men's intramural category. 

"At the Intramural level, the teams are becoming stronger and stronger each year," said John Atkinson, manager of the 2NQ Nomads, made up of players who work at a variety of squadrons around base. "This is what makes this tournament fun. This allows you to compete against the Army, Navy, and Air Force teams in the world. After the Military Worlds were completed, the 2NQ Nomads ranked 12th in the world based on the number of points earned during tournament play throughout the year." 

The teams practiced hard to prepare for this challenge and fought hard when they got there. 

"Our team looks forward to this tournament along with the Air Education and Training Command Championships every year," said Daryl Shines, Lady Tigers coach. "We accomplished our goals at AETC this year and next year we will work hard to be on top of both tournaments." 

The Nomads started practicing in January for their 2006 tournament schedule for the Florida Panhandle and Alabama area. 

"We played against some exceptionally talented teams in these tournaments," said Atkinson. "Tournaments allow us to hone our skills and get used to playing with each other." 

When the competition was about to close, the championship sponsors instituted a pilot program for a co-ed division so the Tyndall "Catheads" were created on the spot. 

"Participants were made up of players from the Lady Tigers and members from the 2NQ Nomads," said Atkinson. "This team was thrown together at the last minute and placed 5th in the Mixed Division. We had a heartbreaking loss in our last game. The score was 17 to 16, in eleven innings." 

According to managers and coaches, its all about how you play the game, not whether you win or lose. 

"The three main ingredients that make a ballplayer are commitment, loyalty and passion for the game," said Atkinson. "The two teams I managed in the Military Worlds this past weekend have these outstanding qualities and more. If the Military Worlds were happening again this weekend, I would take these two teams back with me to battle in the trenches again."