FORT SILL, Okla. (Aug. 22, 2014) -- Twenty-five players from around the world arrived at Fort Sill Aug. 19 to participate in the 2014 Men's All-Army Softball Trial Camp and will compete for a spot on the Men's All-Army softball team. The 15 players who make the team will train at Fort Sill until Sept. 12.
Retired Sgt. Maj. Victor Rivera-Collazo will narrow the field to 15 players. Rivera-Collazo is also assistant men's baseball coach for State University New York at Canton athletic program and is a special adviser to the Pittsburgh Pirates.
The trial camp is under way and the coach will evaluate player skills and break them up into two teams, said Terry Hall, Family and MWR Sports, Fitness and Aquatics director.
"We are hosting the annual Co-Op Softball tournament in conjunction with the All-Army Trials again this year. This will assist in providing some competition for the players competing for a spot on the Men's All-Army Softball team. The annual Commander's versus the Command Sergeants Major game will begin the Co-Op softball tournament at 9 a.m., Aug. 23. The tournament will be open to all Co-Op business and military partners and we are looking to get local teams to play in the double elimination tournament," he said.
The Soldier athletes will practice daily at Cannoneer Complex and will condition at Fort Sill fitness centers.
"Fort Sill Family and MWR is privileged to be chosen as the host site of the Trials and Tournament for the third year, and again this year we are privileged to have some corporate sponsors on board to enhance our hosting of the event. Fort Sill Family and MWR extends a special thank you to our elite sponsor, the Lawton Fort Sill Chamber of Commerce, as well as top sponsor Academy Sports + Outdoors," said Hall. "For Soldiers chosen to compete in the trials, it's an opportunity to play with some of the best athletes in the Army."
"We do have two Fort Sill Soldiers who made the trials, Sgt. Arrin Bush, B Battery, 3rd Battalion, 13th Field Artillery, and Staff Sgt. Dane Miller, A Battery, 2nd Battalion, 18th Field Artillery. Also from Fort Sill is Sgt. 1st Class Michael Dochwat, C Battery, 1st Battalion, 30th Field Artillery, who will be the assistant coach. This is a great opportunity to showcase our talent in the military," Hall said.
This is the third straight year for Fort Sill to host the All-Army sports camp followed by the Armed Forces Softball Tournament. Last year the men's and women's Army teams won the tournament.
The Armed Forces Softball Tournament will be held at Fort Sill Cannoneer Complex Sept. 15-18 and the National Championship in Oklahoma City is slated Sept. 25-29.
"Please mark your calendars to come out and support these great Soldiers for some high caliber softball during our trial camp and championship games here at Fort Sill Cannoneer Complex," he said.
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