Intramural softball season up to bat

  • Published
  • By Ryan Hansen
  • 55th Wing Public Affairs
OFFUTT AIR FORCE BASE, Neb. --  The 2010 intramural softball season is scheduled to get underway June 28 with 20 teams all vying for the title.

The defending champion, 55th Security Forces Squadron team, has been split into two squads, but still believe their first team is strong enough to repeat.

"Our goal this season is only one thing," said 55th SFS head coach Gavino Duron, "repeat as base champs."

However, among the long list of teams trying to knock them down include last year's runner-up 55th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron. Most of their players are back and they have their eyes set on taking the crown.

"Our goal this season is to mix in the new guys with us returning old folks," said Chad Hicks, one of the 55th AMXS coaches. "If we can do that, I think we'll meet our goal of base champs."

All games are played at the Offutt softball complex on Butler Boulevard with American League teams playing on Mondays and Wednesdays and all National League teams playing Tuesdays and Thursdays.

The regular season runs through August 23, with the playoffs wrapping up in early September.

Below is a quick synopsis on each team for the upcoming season.

AMERICAN LEAGUE

1st Airborne Command Control Squadron
COACHES: Glenn Maddock & Brandon Kiss
RETURNING PLAYERS/NEWCOMERS: 15/7
OUTLOOK: "We should have a solid team as long as we can produce some offense and remember the basics defensively," Kiss said. "If we don't do that then we won't be able to contend and it will be a long season."
GOAL: "Just like the rest of the teams our goal is to make the playoffs, but in reality we are hoping we can just finish out the season."
PLAYERS TO WATCH: First baseman Ron Jenkins, and centerfielder Mike Blum

55th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron
COACHES: Chad Hicks & Joe Johnson
RETURNING PLAYERS/NEWCOMERS: 12/8
OUTLOOK: "We're going to be pretty good as long as we don't get hurt by too many TDY's," Hicks said.
GOAL: "We were base runners up last year and hope to take the next step and knock the (55th SFS) off the number one spot."
PLAYERS TO WATCH: Michael Hart, Joshua Owens and Patrick Miller

55th Communications Group
COACHES: Travis Carroll & Oscar Jenison
RETURNING PLAYERS/NEWCOMERS: 10/9
OUTLOOK: "After last season's third place finish it's championship or bust this year," Carroll said. "If we can manage to keep every one of our starters healthy and in this country, I know we can do it."
GOAL: "To win the championship T-shirts at the end of the year."
PLAYERS TO WATCH: Leftfielder Andrew Wagner, right centerfielder Christopher Saenz, shortstop Bryan Richardson, and catcher Joshua Dreymann

55th Contracting Squadron
HEAD COACH: Brian Grant
RETURNING PLAYERS/NEWCOMERS: 3/15
OUTLOOK: "We are just looking to field a team this year that can compete," Grant said. "In the past years, 55th CONS has had numerous issues just fielding a team. So, if we can get enough to play we should be heading in the right direction."
GOAL: "Win!"
PLAYERS TO WATCH: Shortstop Grant, outfielder Alex Larsen, and utility Dan Halverson

55th Wing
HEAD COACH: Majesta Gregory
RETURNING PLAYERS/NEWCOMERS: 1/15
OUTLOOK: "A lot of people will be playing for the first time, we should do fairly well when we are up to bat, however not sure how long it's been since some have been in the field," Gregory said. "We are an athletic bunch, so after the first few games I think we'll do well."
GOAL: "Break even on wins and losses and just have fun."
PLAYERS TO WATCH: Everyone

97th Intelligence Squadron
HEAD COACH: Tim Smith
RETURNING PLAYERS/NEWCOMERS: 10/7
OUTLOOK: "We've got a great bunch of athletic young players but we have trouble fielding a consistent team with our deployment tempo," Smith said. "We'll need to be able to adjust to player changes in the field and in the lineup to maintain a level of play to have a successful season."
GOAL: "Our goal for the season is to make the playoffs and end the season without any injuries."
PLAYERS TO WATCH: Outfielder Chris Mishler, and utility Jesse Kell

338th Combat Training Squadron
HEAD COACH: Shaun Hayes
RETURNING PLAYERS/NEWCOMERS: 10/26
OUTLOOK: "We should be a very good team this year both offensively and defensively," Hayes said.
GOAL: "Win it all."
PLAYERS TO WATCH: Shortstop Brandon Wagoner, and outfielder Joe Hennigan

Air Force Weather Agency
COACHES: Scott Lowrey & Jason Pierce
RETURNING PLAYERS/NEWCOMERS: 10/13
OUTLOOK: "It's going to be a fun year," Lowery said. "We have a lot of good defensive players and our bats are coming around. As the season gets closer and more people come out to practice, we will finalize our line-up and assess how deep we are."
GOAL: "Make the playoffs, work hard and have fun."
PLAYERS TO WATCH: Shortstop Chris Braxton

U.S. Strategic Command 1
HEAD COACH: Jeremiah Hayes
RETURNING PLAYERS/NEWCOMERS: 8/8
OUTLOOK: "We have a fairly solid team," Hayes said. "We are strongest in the field and our hitting is pretty good too. However, in order to remain competitive we have to play consistently on both sides of the ball."
GOAL: "Obviously our number one goal is to make the playoffs and advance as far as we are able."
PLAYERS TO WATCH: Shortstop Jesse Boice, and third baseman Robert Book

U.S. Strategic Command 2
HEAD COACH: Chris Holtman
RETURNING PLAYERS/NEWCOMERS: 8/8
OUTLOOK: "All this other stuff is trivial," Holtman said, "so please watch us all and let's have a fun season."
GOAL: "Win."
PLAYERS TO WATCH: Everyone

NATIONAL LEAGUE

2d Systems Operations Squadron
HEAD COACH: Jeff Rife
RETURNING PLAYERS/NEWCOMERS: 11/8
OUTLOOK: "This team has the strongest pitching rotation in 2d SYOS history and added a couple big bats too," Rife said. "Our outlook is bright and a playoff appearance similar to 2008 is possible."
GOAL: "Our goal is for team unity and esprit de corps. Win or lose, everybody plays and a good time is had by all."
PLAYERS TO WATCH: Everyone

20th Intelligence Squadron
HEAD COACH: Cash Taylor
RETURNING PLAYERS/NEWCOMERS: 10/3
OUTLOOK: "Our hitting looked solid in the preseason tournament, but our fielding lacked," Taylor said. "If we get our fielding ironed out then we should be successful."
GOAL: "To be the last team standing."
PLAYERS TO WATCH: Shortstop Roland Thon and right centerfielder Bobby Duenas

38th Reconnaissance Squadron
HEAD COACH: Sean Carter
RETURNING PLAYERS/NEWCOMERS: 9/12
OUTLOOK: "This a building season for the 38th," Carter said. "With the 1A3 career field joining the squadron, there are a lot of new faces on the field."
GOAL: "Our goal is to go to the playoffs. Another goal is to build camaraderie with all the players."
PLAYERS TO WATCH: Pitcher Ryan Mazzella and outfielder Kyle Gundrum

55th Force Support Squadron
HEAD COACH: Ira Banks
RETURNING PLAYERS/NEWCOMERS: 11/9
OUTLOOK: "We're a fundamentally sound team, but our sticks could definitely use a spark," Banks said. "We have a bunch of natural talent, but we are not a big power hitting team so we are trying to focus on base hitting and manufacturing runs in lieu of swinging for the fence."
GOAL: "Our goal is to win at least two games in the post season."
PLAYERS TO WATCH: Leftfielder Philip Berry and third baseman Nick Stowell

55th Medical Group
HEAD COACH: Rashad El-Jurdi
RETURNING PLAYERS/NEWCOMERS: 3/23
OUTLOOK: "Last year we did pretty bad overall, but we're looking to be the comeback kids this year," El-Jurdi said. "We were hurting on our hitting but we have a lot of new faces that have brought some promising attributes to our team so I hope the other teams don't take us too lightly."
GOAL: "This year our goal is to play to the best of our ability and take this team into the playoffs with a winning attitude."
PLAYERS TO WATCH: Pitcher Candice Dane, rightfielder Brock Lundeen, and first baseman Paul Homan

55th Operational Support Squadron
COACHES: Devin Williams and Dre Hernandez
RETURNING PLAYERS/NEWCOMERS: New team
OUTLOOK: "We're a newly put together softball team, but most of us have played other intramural sports together," Hernandez said. "What we're going to try to focus on is teamwork and good defense."
GOAL: "Our goal is to make the playoffs and build a foundation for success in the following seasons."
PLAYERS TO WATCH: Everyone

55th Security Forces Squadron 1
HEAD COACH: Gavino Duron
RETURNING PLAYERS/NEWCOMERS: 14/6
OUTLOOK: "We have the majority of the team coming back this season and if we play fundamental defense and get hits we will do just fine," Duron said.
GOAL: "Repeat as base champs."
PLAYERS TO WATCH: Third baseman Michael Logan

55th Security Forces Squadron 2
HEAD COACH: Brad Downam
RETURNING PLAYERS/NEWCOMERS: 0/15
OUTLOOK: "We've got a pretty solid starting lineup with about 5 or 6 subs who can play as well," Downam said.
GOAL: "Our goal this season is to beat the 55th SFS 1."
PLAYERS TO WATCH: Shortstop Jordan Locklear, and leftfielder Andrew Root

Joint Functional Component Command Global Strike
COACHES: Chris McBride & Laura Zuress
RETURNING PLAYERS/NEWCOMERS: 4/24
OUTLOOK: "We had a rough season last year, but are a brand new team this year with lots of newcomers," Zuress said. "If we can get the numbers we need at the games I think we'll do very well this season."
GOAL: "Our goal this season is to have fun and maybe win a couple of games while we're at it."
PLAYERS TO WATCH: Everyone

Strategic Communications Wing-1
HEAD COACH: Chadwyck Moore
RETURNING PLAYERS/NEWCOMERS: 11/11
OUTLOOK: "We're going to be great offensively," Moore said "Our troubles will be defensively. If we keep our errors down, and communicate on defense, we'll have a great season."
GOAL: "Our goal this season is to make the playoffs. We missed it by one game last year, and we were sickened by that. This year will be different."
PLAYERS TO WATCH: Shortstop Zachary Schierhorst, left centerfielder Tim Dowden, and leftfielder Ryan Adams