FORT SILL, Okla. -- Multiple Launch Rocket System crew member, Staff Sgt. Dane Miller, A Battery, 2nd Battalion, 18th Field Artillery, seeks to launch spherical projectiles as a All-Army Softball team member during the Armed Forces Softball Tournament here Sept. 15-21.
Miller and his 14 teammates were chosen from a field of 25 hopefuls who arrived at Fort Sill, Aug. 19 for the trial camp.
Head coach retired Sgt. Maj. Victor Rivera selected the tournament team. When not picking the Army's best, Rivera serves as the assistant men's baseball coach for the State University of New York Canton's athletic program . He's also a special adviser to the Pittsburgh Pirates.
This is the first year Miller tried out for the team.
"I was going to try out the last couple years, but I was deployed at different times. I was encouraged by my coaches and former coaches to try out this year," he said.
Miller, who tried out about three months ago while here on block leave from his last deployment, said he is grateful to his commander.
"I was receiving texts from coaches and friends saying I need to submit my package if I wanted to try out and play," said Miller. "I have to thank my commander first and foremost because he allowed me to attend camp this year. He approved my packet, and the coaches then approved my packet from there, and I was able to come."
Miller said all 25 Soldier-players who tried out for the team are skilled softball players.
"I was confident but there were 25 really good players so it was very competitive throughout the camp."
Miller said he believes the All-Army women's and men's teams can win the Armed Forces Softball Tournament like last year.
"Without question I believe we can do it. Everyone is playing to their potential," he said.
The players learned to be a team in a short amount of time and are cheering each other on.
"It's a constant development. We're still in the process of gelling as a team, but with a little more time we will be ready," Miller said.
"One of the most inspirational things to me is this last weekend (Labor Day weekend) we played in a tournament and the members of this team from all over the world have played so well that one of our two teams placed second in the nation. I think that is amazing in such a short period of time."
The tournament took place in Kansas City, Mo., in a Level C national tournament and they played top-notch softball players.
"I think that's just a credit to the Army being a values-based organization. Everyone is already on the same page," he said. "There is a lot of character and integrity among the players and it helps us to come together as a team."
Miller said he is looking forward to the upcoming tournament.
"It's exciting because I'm going to learn about the long tradition behind the Armed Forces Softball Championship, and I want to see what the other armed forces have to offer with their softball programs. I want to check out the competition.
"I'm new to softball so playing three to four games every day is a different kind of conditioning that I'm not used to, which is probably the hardest part of this camp," said Miller.
The Soldier-athletes have practiced daily at Cannoneer Complex and they condition at post fitness centers.
"Our coaches have us do daily team-building exercises and that helps us gel as a team. The coaches have a good philosophy in that regard," Miller said. "They want us to stay together and practice together and it really helps. We've learned each other's strengths and where we can help each other. It's like I have 14 battle buddies."
Miller hopes to see the Lawton-Fort Sill community bring out a lot of people for the tournament and show support by getting a lot of Soldiers out to the tournament.
"Hopefully, commanders will give the go ahead to send Soldiers out to support us and ... really capture the whole essence of this event," he said. "To some it may just seem like a softball game, but to us players it's about pride and representing the Army and to me it's about representing Fort Sill and possibly the armed forces."
Miller said he is proud to be a part of the softball team and this event.
"I really appreciate my chain of command for allowing me the opportunity to be a part of this because it is a really big morale booster for us Soldiers. Athletic programs like this are great for Soldiers because they get a chance to push themselves to compete and take pride in representing their unit, their battalion and the Army. It allows us to further develop as Soldiers."
Shane Dunlevy, Community Recreation chief, said Fort Sill Family and MWR was pleased with the Army's decision to hold the trials and tournament here again.
Regardless of where the tourney plays, Soldiers will face top-level competition from other services.
"For Soldiers chosen to compete in the trials, it's an opportunity to play with some of the best athletes in the Army," said Dunlevy.
He added Fort Sill has another representative on the team.
Sgt. 1st Class Michael Dochwat, C Battery, 1st Battalion, 30th Field Artillery, is an assistant coach and will help showcase Army talent to the military, he said.
Fort Sill hosted the All Army sports camp last year, followed by the Armed Forces Softball Tournament which both the men's and women's Army teams won.
"Mark your calendars to come out and support these great Soldiers during the championship games here at Cannoneer Complex and get ready for some high caliber softball," said Dunlevy.
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