Battle of leather n' lumber -Dover's all-night softball tourney

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Kevin Wallace
  • 436th AW Public Affairs
DOVER AIR FORCE BASE, Del. --  Team Dover first sergeants are scheduled to host their second-annual all-night softball tournament at the base softball fields Sept. 7.

To date, teams from the 436th Civil Engineer Squadron, 436th Security Forces Squadron, 436th Communication Squadron, 436th Logistic Readiness Squadron, 436th Maintenance Squadron, 436th Comptroller Squadron, 436th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, 736th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron and 512th Operations Group have committed to play in the tournament.

"This will be a fun break from the monotony of playing softball in the heat of the day," said Master Sgt. Tangie Ulrich, 436th Mission Support Squadron first sergeant.

Since, to date, her unit does not have a team, the sergeant asked, "Will MSS put together a team?"

The 'real' question is, "What base units have the courage to compete in the event?"

Last year's tournament was a 'battle of the wings' in the end, with the 436th LRS matching guns with Chris Todd and the 512th OG. The final victory went to the Eagle Wing, who trumped the Liberty Wing with a 12 - 5 win.

Who will be this year's champs? Will LRS reign again?

John VanderVen, 436th SFS coach, certainly does not think so.

"I'll give ya' props, you guys can play," he boasted of the reigning champions. "You used to own the yard until I came to Dover."

VanderVen believes that the 'Softball King' title is about to change.

"This year, the winner will be the 'Cops,'" he said. "But at least the other eight (signed-up) teams have the guts to participate - who else will come out? And, if you don't want to come get beaten by my Cops, that's fine, but at least come out and witness the slaughter!"

Joe Kernan, 436th CS coach doubts VanderVen and his team have the skills to match his mighty 'Comm' team. In fact, he would like the opportunity to personally challenge pitcher VanderVen or the 436th MXS pitcher, Joe Mageau.

"I wish there was a home run derby in the tourney," he said. "That trophy would look sweet on my desk. But, if there was one, I'd need VanderVen or Mageau to pitch, they seem to consistently throw watermelons that I easily pound out of the park every time."

Aaron 'Wisey' Weisenberger, 436th CES, said that home runs are great but the key to winning is a team's pitcher. And, Wisey happens to be his team's pitcher.

"I understand that slow-pitch softball is a hitter's game," he said. "But, the problem is ... you've got to get the ball over the plate in the first place. That's the problem with all these other teams ... their pitchers can't even throw the ball over the plate."

Pitching strikes is not Wisey's only talent.

"I like to get in the batter's head," he said. "Instead of hobbling back and forth on the mound complaining that the Cops aren't 'tops,' I just pitch, not make excuses. These other teams may have some good players, but it's not likely that any of them will match my 'Engineers.'"

Every coach has pride in his own team and unit. The 'real' winner will be determined on the diamond.

The tournament kicks off at 5:30 p.m. and will play until it's over, said Master Sgt. Winfert Gray, 436th Medical Group first sergeant and point of contact for the event.

"The tournament will be a double elimination to crown the champion," he said.

Deadline to register teams is Sept. 5. For more information, call Sergeant Gray at 677-2512.