The Luke Air Force Base softball team has taken to the field in six tournaments this season and has dominated the play by placing in three of them. Teams receive points based on tournament placing.
“We try our best to have fun, represent ourselves and represent the name on our chest (Luke AFB) the best we can,” said Scott Harris, 56th Operations Group.
Having a base team is an opportunity to highlight some of the key athletes on base.
“I think having a softball team is great,” said Col. Nathan Mooney, 56th Mission Support Group commander. “For our team to place in tournaments says a lot, because I know softball is big in this area and there is stiff competition out there.”
During the tournaments, the teams can play between five and nine games.
“It can get difficult when playing eight or nine games, because we play in the middle of the day and it can get up to 110 degrees,” Harris said.
There are three different military softball divisions; military A, which consists of players from all services or people who are military card holders. Military B teams consist of players from the same base. The intramural league teams consist of players from the same squadron.
Luke’s team is currently ranked 6th in the military B division.
“There are not as many tournaments in the surrounding area, so to be ranked in the top 10 after playing in so few tournaments feels pretty good,” Harris said.
Mooney is trying to build support for Luke’s teams.
“Base teams are important for a multitude of reasons,” he said. “They build esprit de corps and camaraderie, and allow Airmen to meet each other.”
The team’s goal for next year is to play in several military tournaments and compete in the military world championship.
“I see us going nowhere but up from here,” Harris said. “I think we have the right people who want to play and support our team.”
