Hurlburt Field members secure gold at armed forces softball championships

Published Oct. 2, 2009
By 2nd Lt. Victoria Brayton
1st Special Operations Wing Public Affairs

HURLBURT FIELD, Fla. -- Hurlburt Field sent three players and two coaches to represent the Air Force men's and women's teams, respectively, at the Armed Forces Slow-Pitch Softball Championships Sept. 19-25 at Naval Air Station Pensacola, Fla.

The men's team won the gold medal over the Army team, the reigning champions from the previous two years.

The women's team also took the top prize, earning their third gold medal in three years, which has not been accomplished since 1980.

Capt. Bill Mamourieh, 623rd Air Operations Center chief of intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance operations, returned to the men's team for the second year in a row and said he was thrilled to play the Army for the gold medal in the final game of the tournament.

"I was upset last year when we ended up with the silver. I didn't want to go out that way," he said. "So when we got the chance to play the Army team again in the last game for the gold ... you couldn't have planned it out better."

The all-military tournament consists of nine games. Each service branch plays the other two services three times each. The Air Force men's team finished with a 7-2 record while the Air Force women's team finished 6-3.

The selection process to make the yearly Air Force softball teams begins with a formal application to Air Force Sports in July. Coaches review the applications and pick 26 members to invite to a training camp to try out for the team. Of the 26 applicants, 15 are chosen. They begin their training in September.

Captain Mamourieh was joined by fellow Air Commandos Master Sgt. Daniel Simpson and Staff Sgt. Christopher Bast. Having multiple Commandos from the base softball team play together on the Air Force team was a definite source of comfort and strength, Captain Mamourieh said.

"You know what you can expect from them," Captain Mamourieh said. "There's a trust and an ability to rely on each other and you know what buttons to push to motivate them."

He also recognized the Air Force team members as a whole for their ability to play together despite their diverse backgrounds. The 15 men represented 11 different bases from the United States and Japan.

"There are so many different types of people on the team, but no matter what--win, lose or draw--they've got your back," Captain Mamourieh said.

After the tournament, Sergeant Simpson, emergency management inspections superintendent for Air Force Special Operations Command, reflected on the most rewarding aspect of being on the Air Force team.

"The best part is seeing some of the younger guys get their first taste of victory and success at that level," he said.

This was Sergeant Simpson's eighth time playing for the Air Force team.

Captain Mamourieh said rebounding from last year and defeating the Army team was a rewarding experience.

"That feeling when your team comes out, their hands in the air, slapping hands with each other ... that thrill of victory, it's too sweet," he said.

On the women's side, Cheryl Trapnell, a retired senior master sergeant, and Senior Airman Robert Hofmann, 1st Special Operations Wing Logistics Readiness Squadron, represented Hurlburt Field as the head coach and assistant coach for the women's Air Force team.

In his second year coaching the team, Airman Hofmann said he and Ms. Trapnell wanted to teach the 15 women to become "one heartbeat."

"These ladies already had the talent individually, but they had to be able to apply it together," Airman Hofmann said. "Our focus was to take the 15 ball players from all over the world and make them one."

Airman Hofmann said the opportunity to coach at such a high level and to work with such intense players helped develop him as a leader.

"Coaching has taught me to be a better leader and to be able to step up for those around me and have confidence in the decision I have made," he said.

Ms. Trapnell also experienced some success of her own. She was selected to coach the women's Armed Forces Softball All-Star team, which will compete at the 2009 Amateur Softball Association of America's National Championship Oct. 1 in Oklahoma City.