Airmen enjoy Sports Day

  • Published
  • By Tyler Hemstreet
  • Staff writer
MCCHORD AIR FORCE BASE, Wash. --  Airmen packed the base softball fields, bowling alley, swimming pool and gymnasium Friday as part of Sports Day. Instead of preparing for a day of meetings or office work, at 8 a.m. Airmen switched out their battle dress uniform for their workout clothes, participating in either softball, bowling, swimming, dodgeball or running relays. 

The goal of the day was to provide a forum for not only the Airmen who routinely play intramural sports, but also those who don't ordinarily participate, said Master Sgt. Robert Snyder, 62nd Services Squadron. 

"It's about fitness, camaraderie and all that good stuff," Sergeant Snyder said. "We like to provide a variety of different sporting and recreational events. We want to let more folks get out here to enjoy a day -- depending on work, of course." 

The base fitness center's gym was turned from an ordinary basketball court into a dodgeball battlefield, complete with blue plastic barriers separating the dueling sides. Airmen from the 10th Airlift Squadron were busy flinging around foam balls eagerly awaiting their semifinal opponent in the
tournament. 

"We're really busy a lot of the time so sports day gives us a bit of a down day for people who are always working to come out and participate," said 1st Lt. Andy Baumann, 10th AS. "We try and do squadron activities on a fairly regular basis, but this gives us more of an organized chance for everyone to come out." 

At Sounders Lanes, it was standing room only as Airmen took advantage of the free bowling. Tech. Sgt. Clifford Oberg, 62nd Operations Group, had already played in a dodgeball and softball game and was throwing strikes with his young daughter at Sounders Lanes by 10:30 a.m. 

"We wanted to make it a daddy and daughter day," said Sergeant Oberg, who also planned on taking his daughter to the pool before going over to the picnic. There were also plans in the works to go and watch the NASCAR 400 go kart race with his daughter, he said. "I have to go out and support the OSS team," said Sergeant Oberg.