JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-LACKLAND, Texas –
Three 37th Training Wing Airmen were recently selected for All-Air Force Men's Softball tryouts, and they don't have to travel far to attend.
Master Sgt. Michael Charvat and Tech Sgts. John Grice and Aaron Frederick will vie for roster spots during trials to be held Aug. 27-Sept. 14 here. If the three Airmen make the 15-man roster, they will compete at the Armed Forces Men's Softball Championships Sept. 13-19 in Fort Sill, Okla. and try to help the team win its first title since 2011.
Of the three Airmen, Charvat, 342nd Training Squadron Combat Control Selection Course chief, has the most All-Air Force Men's Softball Team experience. The master sergeant was a member of the 2010 and 2012 teams. To be selected to the roster for a third time, Charvat noted he has to simply "play his butt off."
"It is a privilege to be selected for tryouts and to be competing against some of the Air Force's best players for a chance to be 1 of 15 players selected," said the third baseman.
Grice, 341st TRS instructor supervisor for the Kennel Master Course, was selected for tryouts last year but was cut. The technical sergeant said he is hoping for a different outcome this year.
To ensure a different result, Grice said he has to follow simple advice given to him from Coach Steve Shortland.
"I just have to go out there and play my game and stay within myself and my abilities. That should do the talking for me," the technical sergeant.
Frederick, a 319th TRS military training instructor who tried out for the team in 2009, said he has to adhere to the same mindset.
"I have to play within myself, get better one day at time and do my best to represent the Air Force" the MTI explained.
For more information on how to register to participate in All-Air Force Sports programs, visit http://www.myairforcelife.com/Sports/.