RESULTS OF ARMED FORCES GAMES
Armed Forces def Rethink Ambush 23-6
TCP/Piper/Easton def Armed Forces 28-25
(Loser’s Bracket)
Armed Forces def SW Oklahoma Outlaws 31-5
Fence Broker/Game Time Sup def Armed Forces 18-17

MEN’S A DIVISION POST CHAMPIONSHIP HONORS
Batting Champion: SFC Ralph Hogdon (Army) Fort Benning, GA .800 average
(Tied with three other players)
ASA All American Team: Utility- SFC Ralph Hogdon (Army) Fort Benning, GA

ARMED FORCES MEN’S SOFTBALL TEAM
CW2 Elmer Mason (USA) Yongsam, Korea
SSgt Joshua Wiggs (USAF) Tyndall Air Force Base, FL
SFC Dexter Avery (USA) Fort Huachuca, AZ
PO1 Reginald Myers (USN) Navy Recruiting District Richmond, VA
PO1 Ronald Cipraino (USN) Naval Air Station Key West, FL
SFC Ralph Hogdon (USA) Fort Benning, GA
SSgt Kevin Basinger (USAF) Peterson Air Force Base, CO
MSgt Christopher Markey (USAF) Osan Air Force Base, Korea
SSgt Leonard Myers (USAF) Nellis Air Force Base, NV
SrA Michael Melton (USAF) Eglin Air Force Base, FL
SSgt Clint Hiller (USMC) Marine Corps Air Station New River, NC
CPT Gabe Beltran (USA) Fort Bliss, TX
PO3 Anthony Bartolini (USN) Naval Aerospace Medical Institute
TSgt Zachariah Turissini (USAF) Tyndall Air Force Base, FL
SFC Michael Docwat (USA) Fort Campbell, KY
HEAD COACH: Mr. Stephen Shortland (USAF) Randolph Air Force Base, TX
ASST COACH: SFC Scott Feterl (USA) Fort Bragg, NC
TRAINER: LT James Butler (Navy)
OFFICER IN CHARGE: CPO Early West (Navy) Naval Recruiting District Phoenix, AZ

Story and Information Compiled by Kenneth Polk, Armed Forces Sports

2009 ARMED FORCES MEN’S AND WOMEN’S SOFTBALL CHAMPIONSHIP

      NAVAL AIR STATION PENSACOLA, FL
19-25 SEPTEMBER

NAS Pensacola, FL -- After a slow start, the Air Forces Men’s Softball Team went on to dethrone the Army in the 2009 Armed Forces Men’s Softball Championship. Both teams finished the Championship with identical 7-2 records, however; two one-sided Air Force victories over the Army in the two final rounds gave the “Men in Blue” the edge in the Championship tie-breaker. After blasting the Marine Corps 18-3 in their opening game, the Air Forces dropped back-to-back contests to the Army (18-17) and the Navy (37-16).  With hot bats and outstanding defense, the Air Force easily defeated all opponents in their final six games. Staff Sergeant Joshua Wiggs (Tyndall AFB, FL) powered the Air Forces with 13 home runs, tying him with Amy Sergeant Dexter Avery (Ft Huachuca, AZ) who also had a Championship leading 13 home runs. Technical Sergeant Zachariah Turissini (Tyndall AFB, FL) helped the cause with 26 RBI’s. The Army won the Armed Forces Men’s Softball Championship in 2007 and 2008.

The situation was a little more complicated on the women’s side.  The Air Force, Navy, and Army all finished with identical 6-3 records. In the end the, it was the Air Force winning gold based on the total runs tie-breaker. The Army finished second and the Navy had to settle for third.  All eyes were on Navy earlier in the championship after they won their first four games.  Coach Cheryl Trapnell and the “Sky Ladies” kept their poise after dropping back-to-back games early in the Championship to the Navy and Army. Following the two set-backs, the Air Force went on a four game win streak before falling to the Army 6-5 in their final game.  Staff Sergeant Katherine Braun (Offutt AFB, NE) and Staff Sergeant Lindsey Ciullo (Ramstein AFB, Germany) batted .448 and .438 respectively and led the Air Forces to victory.  Both players were voted on to the All Tournament and All Armed Forces teams. 
    
Story and Information Compiled by Kenneth Polk, Armed Forces Sports

GAME RESULTS

20 September
      (M) Army def Navy 21-13
      (W) Navy def Army 7-6
      (M) Air Force def Marine Corps 18-3
      (W) Air Force def Marine Corps 8-1

21 September
      (M) Marine Corps def Navy 19-4
      (W) Navy def Marine Corps 2-1
      (M) Army def Air Force 18-17
      (W) Air Force def Army 5-0
      (M) Army def Marine Corps 22-6
      (W) Army def Marine Corps 10-5
      (M) Navy def Air Force 37-16
      (W) Navy def Air Force 2-1

22 September
      (M) Air Force def Army 21-7
      (W) Army def Air Force 4-3 (8 innings)
      (M) Navy def Marine Corps 19-9
      (W) Navy def Marine Corps 8-5
      (M) Air Force def Navy 33-9
      (W) Air Force def Navy 4-2
      (M) Army def Marine Corps 22-10
      (W) Army def Marine Corps 6-1

23 September
      (M) Air Force def Marine Corps 28-8
      (W) Air Force def Marine Corps 15-3
      (M) Army def Navy 27-16
      (W) Navy def Army 6-5
      (M) Air Force def Navy 13-9
      (W) Air Force def Navy 13-7
      (M) Army def Marine Corps 19-7
      (W) Army def Marine Corps 11-0

24 September
      (M) Air Force def Marine Corps 26-18
      (W) Air Force def Marine Corps 3-0
      (M) Army def Navy 21-14
      (W) Army def Navy 11-0
      (M) Air Force def Army 26-12
      (W) Army def Air Force 6-5
      (M) Navy def Marine Corps 22-15
      (W) Navy def Marine Corps 8-3

ALL TOURNAMENT WOMEN'S TEAM
  P-SSG Shannon Eichenseer (USA) Fort Eustis, VA
  C-SSgt Lindsay Ciullo (USAF) Ramstein Air Base, Germany
  1B-SSgt Katherine Braun (USAF) Offutt Air Force Base, NE
  2B-AT3 Sabra Gamel (USN) USS Nimitz  
  SS-LCpl Leticia Pacheco (USMC) Marine Corps Base Parris Island, SC
  3B-AO3 Daisy Estevez (USN) NASNI San Diego, CA
  OF-SSG Kathleen Hedges (USA) Fort Drum, NY
  OF-SSgt Candace Dugo (USAF) Nellis Air Force Base, NV
  OF-IT2 Jamie Strum (USN) NCTAMSPAC, HI
  OF-1LT Lindsey Gerheim (USA) Fort Campbell, KY
  EP-Sgt Renee Langlais (USMC) MacDill Air Force Base, FL

WOMEN'S ARMED FORCES TEAM
  SSgt Lindsay Ciullo (USAF) Ramstein Air Base, Germany
  AT3 Sabra Gamel (USN) USS Nimitz
  SSgt Katherine Braun (USAF) Offutt Air Force Base, NE
  SSgt Candace Dugo (USAF) Nellis Air Force Base, NV
  LCpl Leticia Pacheco (USMC) Marine Corps Base Parris Island, SC
  1LT Lindsey Gerheim (USA) Fort Campbell, KY
  IT2 Jamie Strum (USN) NCTAMSPAC, HI
  SSG Shannon Eichenseer (USA) Fort Eustis, VA
  AO3 Daisy Estevez (USN) NASNI San Diego, CA
  Sgt Renee Langlais (USMC) MacDill Air Force Base, FL
  MSgt Laurie Doughty (USAF) Elmendorf Air Force Base, AF
  SSgt Stephanie Toomey (USMC) Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, NC
  SrA Toni Epps (USAF) Robins Air Force Base, GA
  LT Alice Middleton (USN) CGTC Yorktown, VA
  MSgt Karrie Warren (USAF) Tyndall Air Force Base, FL
  HEAD COACH: Ms. Cheryl Trapnell (USAF) Hurlburt Field, FL
  ASST COACH: SCPO Ron Bible (USN) USS Green Bay
  TRAINER: TSgt Toby Urenda (USAF) Eglin Air Force Base, FL
  OFFICER IN CHARGE: CPO Early West (Navy) Naval Recruiting District Phoenix, AZ

NOTE: The Armed Forces Team team will participate in the ASA Open Women's National Softball Championship, 1-5 Oct 09 in Oklahoma City OK

ALL TOURNAMENT MEN'S TEAM
  P-SFC Ralph Hogdon (USA) Fort Benning, GA
  C-CW2 Elmer Mason (USA) Yongsam, Korea
  1B-SFC Dexter Avery (USA) Fort Huachuca, AZ
  2B-MSgt Christopher Markey (USAF) Osan Air Force Base, Korea
  SS-SrA Michael Melton (USAF) Eglin Air Force Base, FL  
  3B-PO1 Reginald Myers (USN) Navy Recruiting District Richmond, VA
  OF-SFC Clayton Shaw (USA) Fort Campbell, KY
  OF-Kevin Basinger (USAF) Peterson Air Force Base, CO
  OF-PO1 Emilio Harris (USN) Joint Task Force Civil Support
  OF-SSgt Leonard Myers (USAF) Nellis Air Force Base, NV
  EP-SSgt Joshua Wiggs (USAF) Tyndall Air Force Base, FL

MEN'S ARMED FORCES TEAM
  CW2 Elmer Mason (USA) Yongsam, Korea
  SSgt Joshua Wiggs (USAF) Tyndall Air Force Base, FL
  SFC Dexter Avery (USA) Fort Huachuca, AZ
  PO1 Reginald Myers (USN) Navy Recruiting District Richmond, VA
  PO1 Ronald Cipraino (USN) Naval Air Station Key West, FL
  SFC Ralph Hogdon (USA) Fort Benning, GA
  SSgt Kevin Basinger (USAF) Peterson Air Force Base, CO
  MSgt Christopher Markey (USAF) Osan Air Force Base, Korea
  SSgt Leonard Myers (USAF) Nellis Air Force Base, NV
  SrA Michael Melton (USAF) Eglin Air Force Base, FL
  SSgt Clint Hiller (USMC) Marine Corps Air Station New River, NC
  CPT Gabe Beltran (USA) Fort Bliss, TX
  PO3 Anthony Bartolini (USN) Naval Aerospace Medical Institute
  TSgt Zachariah Turissini (USAF) Tyndall Air Force Base, FL
  SFC Michael Docwat (USA) Fort Campbell, KY
  HEAD COACH: Mr. Stephen Shortland (USAF) Randolph Air Force Base, TX
  ASST COACH: SFC Scott Feterl (USA) Fort Bragg, NC
  TRAINER: LT James Butler (Navy)
  OFFICER IN CHARGE: CPO Early West (Navy) Naval Recruiting District Phoenix, AZ

NOTE: The Armed Forces Team will participate in the ASA Men's “A” Division National Softball Championship, 1-5 Oct 09 in Oklahoma City OK

All-Army outfielder Avery to play for Team USA
in Border Battle with Canada

By Tim Hipps
FMWRC Public Affairs

maintained a batting average in the 700s while representing Fort Hood, Texas; Yongsan Garrison and Camp Carroll, South Korea; and Fort Huachuca throughout a decade of All-Army and All-Armed Forces softball.

He helped All-Army teams win the Armed Forces Championship for times. He was selected eight times for the All-Armed Forces Team that advanced to play in the ASA National Championship Tournament, and he was named to the Armed Forces All-Tourney Team seven times.
Avery, however, does not play softball for accolades, titles or trophies.

“When you love to play the game, most people see that in you,” he explained. “And when you respect the game, I think they see that even more.”

Championships and kudos, Avery contends, do not rank in the same ballpark as the jokes, the laughter, the heartaches, the pain and the camaraderie derived from competing in military softball tryout camps and tournaments.

“Of all the tournaments I’ve played in, I think the Armed Forces Tournament is the most nerve-racking,” he explained. “My first year in ’97, I think that was the most nervous I’ve ever been to play a game because it’s so built up around ‘you need to do this, you need to be your best at this, nobody’s going to give you nothing and everybody is going to be after you.’

“And when you get there, that’s exactly how it is. Nothing is given to you. You know how it is when you play on the upper level, all those guys want to do pretty much is hit. But on the Armed Forces level, everybody is playing defense. If you get a hit, you earn it. There is none of that, ‘I’m going to let it go through the hole because I don’t think I can get to it.’ People are diving and going all-out, nonstop. It’s one of the hardest tournaments and one of the most enjoyable tournaments I play in every year. It makes you a better person and a better player because the camaraderie between the guys is so tight because being together for almost a whole month you get to know each other in and out – what buttons to push, what buttons not to push, how to get a person to play better, and how to get a person to relax. It’s a big brotherhood.

“And when all the teams come together, it’s just a joy. We get to see old faces we haven’t seen in a long time and I just love it. To play with the best of the best, you really get to see what you’re made of.”

Avery, a 6-foot-3-inch, 240-pounder who averages 12-15 homers per tournament, plays left-center field for the All-Army Team and left field for the All-Armed Forces squad. Not gifted with blazing speed for an outfielder, he compensates by getting a good read and jump on the ball. Although not flashy, his arm is solid. And his glove was deemed golden in 1998 by a civilian league in which he played shortstop while stationed at Fort Hood.

“I’m not one to talk about my athletic ability. I like to let it speak for itself,” Avery said. “But I think the most important thing, probably, was being consistent at what I was doing. Another major thing was attitude – never being a disrespecting player, always giving everybody their props, always wanting to win.

“I always gave it everything I had. No matter how tired I was or what was going on, I was always there to win. If we were up 20 runs or down 20 runs, I still maintained the same mentality about the game – and just having that drive to continue to try to get better every year.”

A native of Decatur, Ga., Avery played football, basketball and baseball for Monticello High School in Jasper County, Ga. After playing two seasons of basketball at Patrick Henry State Junior College in Monroeville, Ala., he played two seasons of baseball at Columbus State University. He then served three years as athletic director for the Boys & Girls Club of America in Columbus, Ga., before enlisting in the Army, which opened the door for his globetrotting softball career.

“I originally planned on only being in for probably four years, but I liked it, I enjoyed it,” Avery said. “I enjoyed being around Soldiers, so I stayed in.”

Avery firmly believes in the adage that it’s not whether you win or lose, but more importantly, how you play the game.

“It doesn’t matter how you finish,” he said. “It’s how you compete with those guys. Everybody wants to win. Nobody wants to lose. But we go there as the underdogs from the beginning and we always have people on our side that played on other teams.  They always come up to us and thank us for representing the United States Army, Marines, Air Force and the Navy. They tell us that they really appreciate that we give them the chance to play the game they love. Just being around that and seeing that, you try to give back to it as much as you can.”

Hawks/ Miss Kitty Defeats Armed Forces in “IF Game” - Wins 2008 ASA Women’s Open National Championship

OKLAHOMA CITY, Okla. - Coming from the loser’s bracket, Hawks/Miss Kitty’s captured the 2008 Women’s Open National Championship in a 6 -5 walk-off decision over the Armed Forces.  It was a long day for the winning team as they played five games tallying a 4-1 record.  The Hawks forced the “if” game five when they skunked Armed Forces 10-0 in game four.  In the final championship win, the Hawks were led by catcher and tournament MVP Sirene Johnson who led the way going 2-for-4 in the final game with three RBI.  Armed Forces put up a great fight with four batters each contributing two hits.  But they couldn’t hold the lead as Hawks/Miss Kitty’s scored two runs in the bottom of the seventh for the eventual walk-off win.

All Scores:
Game 1 Hawks/Miss Kitty def Fraley’s Low bob 14-4
Game 2 Armed Forces def Hawks/Miss Kitty 12-4
Game 3 Hawks/Miss Kitty def Fraley’s Low bob 7-4
Game 4 Hawks/Miss Kitty def Armed Forces 10-0
Game 5 “If Game” Hawks/Miss Kitty def Armed Forces 6-5

Armed Forces Places Six on 2008 ASA Women’s All American Team
Infield: Christan Dowling, Hawks/Miss Kitty
Infield: Pfc Leticia Pacheco, Marine Corps, MCS Parris Island, SC
Infield: Cara Coughenour, Hawks/Miss Kitty
Infield: A1C Brandi Jackson, Air Force, Elmendorf AFB, AK
Outfield: Ruby Nugent, Hawks/Miss Kitty
Outfield: SPC Brittany Shannon, Army, Kaiserslautern, Germany
Outfield: Tracy Dougere, Hawks/Miss Kitty
Outfield: MSgt Karrie Warren, Air Force, Tyndall AFB, FL
Utility:  Stacie Symonds, Hawks/Miss Kitty
Utility: Buffy Arms, Hawks/Miss Kitty
Utility: Sgt Laurie Doughty, Air Force, Osan AB, South Korea
Utility: Amy Schweinfus, Hawks/Miss Kitty
Utility: PO2 Rena Engelhardt, Navy, NAS Whidbey Island, WA
Pitcher: Mary Hoff, Hawks/Miss Kitty
Catcher: Sirene Johnson, Hawks/Miss Kitty
Batting Champion: Christan Dowling, Hawks/Miss Kitty
HR Champion: Ruby Nugent, Hawks/Miss Kitty
MVP: Sierene Johnson, Hawks/Miss Kitty

ABS Easton Wins 2008 Men’s Class “A” National Softball Championship – Armed Forces Finishes

OKLAHOMA CITY, Okla. --- ABS Easton of Hartley, Delaware traveled the furthest for the ASA Men’s Class A Slow Pitch National Championship. And the trip was worth it.  ABS returned to Delaware as the 2008 ASA Men’s Class A Slow Pitch National Championship after turning back a determined TCP team of Burlington, Iowa, 15-10, in the if game Sunday afternoon at the ASA Hall of Fame Stadium.

Scores of Armed Forces Games
Tharaldson Enterprises def Armed Forces 12-10 (8 innings)
Armed Forces def Paynes Sports Legends 26-9
Armed Forces def Da Bomb 7-0
Armed Forces def Abbey Printing 17-1
Armed Forces def Tharaldson Enterprises 20-18
TCP/Easton def Armed Forces 21-16

Order of Finish
ABS/Easton, Hartley, DE (5-1)
TCP/Easton, Burlington, IA (6-2)
Team Combat/Pytch Blakk, Kent, WA (3-2)
Long Haul trucking/Phonemaster/Miken, Lakeland, MN (3-2)
Armed Forces (4-2)
Jean Shoppe/Team Easton, Florence, KY (3-2)
All Star Plumbing, Lawton, OK (2-2)
Tharaldson Enterprises, Fargo, ND (3-2)
Westoak, Norman, OK (1-2)
Community Access, Ardmore, OK (1-2)
P-Town Boyz, Stillwater, OK (1-2)
Abby Sprinting/Spurs, Austin, TX (1-2)
CSI/JSA, Oklahoma City, OK (0-2)
Walker Plumbing, El Reno, OK (0-2)
Paynes Sports Legends, Hugo, OK (0-2)
GTL/Creative Stucco, Seattle, WA (Forfeit)
Da Bomb, Houston, TX (Forfeit)

2008 ASA MEN’S “A” ALL-AMERICAN SLOW PITCH TEAMS
SFC Dexter Avery (Army), Fort Huachuca, AZ was named a first team All-American in outfield, and MWO John Watts (Army), Kirkland AFB, NM was second team All-American at Catcher