An official website of the United States government
Here's how you know
A .mil website belongs to an official U.S. Department of Defense organization in the United States.
A lock (lock ) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .mil website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

Home : News : News
JBSA News
NEWS | May 25, 2011

Randolph swings into softball season

502nd Air Base Wing OL-B Public Affairs

The lush green grass and the smooth dirt of a newly renovated field welcomes summer and the 2011 slow pitch softball season to the Airmen of Randolph.

Fifteen softball teams formed from squadrons, major commands and other units on Randolph competed against each other in a brief preseason tournament from May 16 - 19. Regular season games began Tuesday and will run through July 14, weather permitting.

Rikk Prado, Randolph sports program manager said the preseason tournament games were just for fun and "to get the referees warmed up."

During the regular season play, "everyone plays each other once in a double-elimination tournament," he said. After the regular season ends, Randolph and the other Joint Base San Antonio installations will be represented in the post season championship games, by their top two season finishing teams.

"We always expect a championship," said Master Sgt. William West, Air Force Recruiting Service, information support system analyst. "We're going to practice more this year. We're going to practice fundamentals."

The AFRS team nearly won the preseason tournament. Although the players play to win, they don't assume they will win - at least not without practice and teamwork, coaches and organizers said.

Some teams began the regular season with a few preseason victories in their pockets, but they still have work to do.

"We have a good mix of vets and rookies, the vets are leading the rookies. We try to play smart softball and not make mistakes, hit the ball hard. The cornerstone is good pitching and good defense. Since we don't have many home run hitters, we rely on the singles- and doubles-hitters," said Jim Miller, head coach of the Air Force Personnel Center team, during a game against the AFRS team; which AFPC edged Air Education and Training Command for the preseason tournament win.

"AFRS always has a solid team and will be our chief competition again this year along with AETC, fire department and security forces," Mr. Miller said. "It should be a great season, lots of solid teams this year."

Mr. Prado said anyone on Randolph can be part of a team, even if they're a spouse, contractor, retiree, civilian or reservist, as long as the player is 18 or older.

"I'll find a place for them," he said about qualified potential players who may not be in an organization with a team. "A place where they fit in."