All-Army softballers ready to defend title

By Ms. Marie Berberea (TRADOC)September 12, 2013

Army softball
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Cannoneer Complex
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Fielding grounders
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FORT SILL, Okla. -- The All-Army Men's Softball Team has been camped out at the Fort Sill Cannoneer Complex for weeks and they're ready for battle in the Armed Forces Tournament Sept. 15-21.

"It's like a deployment. When you're stuck out there with your team, 10 guys on the hill, going through operations you're only there for each other. They go through the same bonding process here," said assistant coach Sgt. 1st Class Michael Dochwat, 1st Battalion, 30th Field Artillery.

Out of 127 applications, 25 were chosen to travel to Fort Sill for the All-Army Softball Camp. While here, they endured a physical and mental marathon of games.

"When they come here they say, 'This is not what I expected.' They think they're just going to play softball, but when you play 40 to 50 games in 10 days they're not used to that. They're used to going on the weekend playing four, five games that's it," said head coach Victor Rivera. "So their body breaks down, their physical fitness, people lose weight so a lot of things happen people don't understand."

Out of those 25 players, 15 are chosen to represent the Army in the Armed Forces Tournament.

"For me character and discipline are non-negotiable and we have to make sure we represent the Army," Rivera said.

Before the 15 were chosen, the group played as two separate teams in the National Amateur Softball Association Tournament in Oklahoma City, and placed second. That's the highest they've placed in the tournament in Rivera's 12 years as coach. He was very proud of that, but even more so of the response from the fans.

"When the civilians say, 'you guys are a class act' then we did what we're supposed to do."

Rivera is also quick to share the accomplishments of his players off the field and he has a lot to boast about.

Professionals

Dochwat was named the Army Athlete of the Year and was recently assigned to Fort Sill. He has played softball for the Army for more than a decade, and was originally coming to play, but instead filled the coaching position.

"I figured I'm a leader anyway. I'm an instructor, teaching Soldiers. This is the same process helping younger players and developing the program," said Dochwat.

He said the game of softball has sped up and instead of recruiting a team of heavy hitters, they are looking for players who can adapt to several different positions on the diamond.

"We've got a young team, and it's time to try to go through the rebuilding process. Relying on guys like myself and other guys to be here forever that's when you tend to lose so you've got to try to filter in some of the old players with the young players and keep the program at a high competition level," said Dochwat.

The youngest player actually has a lot of experience on the diamond. Pfc. Jedon Matthews, 2nd Battalion, 9th Infantry, played for the Chicago White Sox for two and a half years before joining the Army.

"I've grown up playing softball and baseball. I got released from baseball so I went back to school. My mom was pushing me to do something better, to have something for my future," said Matthews.

The cavalry scout said he doesn't let his baseball career go to his head because there is always someone who is working harder.