Ramstein Airman wins Softball Gold

***image1***A NCO from the Ramstein Air Base Varsity softball team was selected to play for the Men’s All-Air Force and Armed Forces teams this year.

Tech. Sgt. Chris Markey, 435th Dental Squadron, NCOIC, Dental Data Systems, helped his All-Air Force team win the gold medal with an 8-1 record at the Armed Forces softball tournament at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., Sept. 9 to 11.

Then a week later at the Men’s Major Slow Pitch National Championships at Sanford, Fla., he helped his team to a fifth-place finish out of 20 teams.

“This year, everyone was about the team and not individual honors. We had one focus to win the Gold medal,” said the third baseman. “Our team chemistry and morale definitely gave us an edge over the other services.

“I’ve been playing softball for 10 years and making the team has been a goal of mine for some time,” he added. “I played very well and all my hard work in the gym and on the softball field paid off.”
It all started when he submitted a request to attend the three-week All-Air Force softball trial camp at Eglin Air Force Base.

After playing well he was selected to the All-Air Force team and the Armed Forces team, from which players are chosen from the top 15 players among all four services.

The Men’s Armed Forces softball tournament dates back to 1976. In the 28-year history, the Air Force has won 17 times.
Sergeant Markey said making the All-Air Force team and the Armed Forces team is the highest level to achieve as a military softball player.

“It’s a great honor to be a part of the great legacy of All-Air Force softball,” said Sergeant Markey.

“I plan to continue to play for the Air Force team every year, as long as I can. It’s a ton of fun,” he said.