FORT SILL, Okla., Sept. 1, 2016 -- Twenty-six Soldiers are here trying out for for the All-Army men's softball team as it seeks its fifth consecutive armed forces softball championship. The team has a new head coach and only a few veteran players at the trial camp which runs Aug. 25 through Sept. 14, said assistant coach Sgt. 1st Class Vernon Walton.
About 90 Soldiers worldwide; enlisted and officer; active-duty, National Guard and Reserve applied for the camp, said Walton, who is a telecommunications operations chief with the 63rd Expeditionary Signal Battalion at Fort Stewart, Ga. Of the 26 invited to the camp, only 15 will be chosen for the final roster. Two team captains have already been designated.
"We're looking for players who have higher levels of playing experience, but the biggest thing we look for is the ability to play together as a team," Walton said. "At this level everybody is a good ball player, but we're also looking for players with cohesion, who can gel with others as a team in a short amount of time."
Indeed. Walton and head coach Maj. Ron Colombo wear jerseys that read: "Team Matters More Than Ability."
Colombo replaces longtime All-Army men's softball team head coach Victor Rivera, who retired. Colombo was an assistant coach under Rivera in 2014 and 2015, and he was a player in 2013. He said one thing he looks for in a player is consistency.
"I'm not looking for a player who gets four hits in one game then turns around in the next game and gets one hit," said Colombo, who is a communications officer with the Army Special Operations Aviation Command at Fort Bragg, N.C. "I need guys who can hit for power, but also for average all over the field.
On defense Colombo said he's looking for players who are versatile.
"In this day and age, a lot of these guys can play multiple positions in the infield and outfield," he said. "Ideally, I would like to have guys who can play multiple position because you can open yourself up to more options in your lineup."
Soldiers who attend the camp know beforehand that the coaches are looking not only for good players, but also good leaders and high caliber ambassadors to represent the Army, Walton said. In practice and at off-post tournaments, the team generates a lot of interest, so the Soldier-athletes must be able to answer people's questions about the team, what they're doing and about the Army.
Sgt. 1st Class Ricky Sosa, Ordnance Training Detachment radar repair course noncommissioned officer in charge, is trying out for the team for the first time as a first baseman or catcher.
"I wanted to take my game to the next level, and to represent the Army," he said. "It doesn't get any better than this -- this is why we play."
On Day 2 of the camp, Sosa said it was going better than the first day for him.
"A lot of nerves. Everyone is competing for those 15 spots, so you have to do your best," he said.
He said he played baseball as a kid and in high school. In the Army, he's played baseball and softball in leagues or intramurals at every unit he's been in.
Sgt. 1st Class Brandon Sonnenburg, A Battery, 1st Battalion, 78th Field Artillery, Multiple Launch Rocket System instructor, again is trying out for the team, which he made in 2010 and 2012, but also failed to make twice.
"You always have to come mentally prepared to try outs for the whole process," he said.
What does it take to make the team?
"You have to be able to hit, play defense and have a positive attitude," said Sonnenburg, a catcher.
TEAM CAPTAINS
Besides logistics for the team and accountability of players, the role of the team captain is to keep the younger players motivated, said co-captain Staff Sgt. Eric Querry, who is fulfilling his annual Reserve active-duty training requirement as part of the softball team.
"We get a lot of rookies that come every year and they're not used to this level of ball, so we mentor and motivate them up to this level," said Querry, who is a reconnaissance noncommissioned officer with the 980th Engineer Battalion in Austin, Texas.
Co-captain Sgt. 1st Class James Segrue, said they are also expected be role model leaders.
"You set the best example for the players to follow and emulate on and off the field," said Segrue, who is a protective services officer at Training and Doctrine Command Headquarters, Fort Eustis, Va. "They're constantly looking up at you."
Segrue played on the team in 2010, '11, '14 and '15. Querry played on the team in 2006, '13, '14 and '15.
Although the two have been selected as the team captains, that alone doesn't mean they will be playing on the field.
"We're still competing with all the rookies and veterans for a playing spot," Querry said.
"There's nothing given here," added Segrue.
DAILY REGIMEN
After breakfast and workouts at the Fires Fitness Center, players take the field at 7:30 a.m., Walton said. They perform batting practice and infield and outfield drills. The procedure is repeated after lunch.
During the hottest part of the day the players are at the fitness center working on individual routines, whether it is strength training, aerobic conditioning or flexibility. The team assembles again at 6 p.m. for batting practice and intersquad scrimmages or games with local teams.
The team practices morning, afternoon and evening because during the armed forces tournament they will play games at all those times, Walton said.
The team was in Oklahoma City this past weekend playing in a tournament, and will play in a couple more tournaments before the armed forces championship.
"Actual game situations are the best way to judge talent," Colombo said. "Based on those three tournaments we should have a good idea of the 15 men who are going to represent the Army."
WINNING TRADITION
Colombo said he wants to continue the successful program created by Rivera, which included recruiting players and having a winning image.
"It's coming here and maintaining the legacy he's created and also continue the winning tradition."
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