Airmen compete in a Major league military softball tournament

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Keoni Chavarria
  • 62nd Airlift Wing Public Affairs
TACOMA, Wash. --  Having the opportunity to play a game you love on a Major league field can be rare, but thanks to a local professional baseball team, service members were able to experience that feeling.

With the help of the Tacoma Rainiers, service members were able to hear their names called out over the speakers and see their player profiles on the big screen while they played against other military branches in a softball tournament, May 20 and May 21, at Cheney Stadium in Tacoma.

The six-game, single-elimination tournament pitted military teams from the Air Force, Army, Navy, Marines, Coast Guard, and a team made up of special forces members against each other.

The McChord Air Force team played against the Coast Guard team first, winning the game 6-0, before getting knocked out in the next round by the Navy team.

According to Patrick Hilsabeck, Tacoma Rainiers corporate sales manager, the game was set to give back to the men and women in the military.

"All of the money raised from the game was donated to the United Service Organizations," said Hilsabeck.

For some, like Senior Airman Marissa Delgado, McChord Field Air Force softball team catcher, playing in the tournament also helped her to meet other McChord Airmen.

"I played with people from squadrons I didn't know we had on base and it was nice meeting new people," said Delgado.

A highlight of the game for Tech. Sgt. Jason Schmidt, McChord Field Air Force softball team pitcher, was playing the game with others.

"We put in a lot of blood, sweat and tears into the game," said Schmidt. "Coming out here and working as a team, win or lose, it was a good time."

Many people will never know what it feels like to play on a Major league field, but through the Tacoma Rainiers, service members had the opportunity to get a taste of the big league.

"It was an amazing experience to be around and play with Airmen that all shared the same love of the game. Everyone came ready to play," said Delgado.