FORT SHAFTER, Hawaii -- The first game of the season-ending intramural softball tournament was about to get underway, Tuesday, at Takata Field, here, and Spc. Mario Coronado, Headquarters and Headquarters Detachment, 728th Military Police Battalion, 8th MP Brigade, 8th Theater Sustainment Command, was busy double-checking the batting order to his "Warfighter" softball teammates.
The Army Hawaii intramural tournament marks the conclusion of the May-August softball season, but not for Coronado, Warfighters team captain, who was recently selected as one of 25 Soldiers who will try out for the All-Army Softball Team later this month.
Coronado is one of three Hawaii-based Soldiers who will make the trip to the All-Army Softball Trial Camp beginning Aug. 22 at Fort Sill, Okla.
"I'm gonna make it," Coronado said. "I can't go there with any other attitude."
The Amarillo, Texas, native will be joined at the All-Army softball camp by Cpl. Marshall Woods, 125th Financial Management Company, 45th Sust. Bde., 8th TSC, a second-time selection, along with All-Army team captain, and six-time All-Armed Forces selection, Sgt. 1st Class Michael Dochwat, 196th Infantry Bde., U.S. Army Pacific.
"I began playing softball after high school, but I couldn't have envisioned this," Coronado said. "This is an honor."
The All-Army Softball Trial Camp will last until Sept. 10.
"My advice to all first-timers is to prepare yourself," said nine-time All-Army veteran Dochwat, who recruits new talent for the All-Army unit. "You will play from 0900 hours to 2100 hours every day you are there, and if you are not ready to play, you will be exposed."
When the 15 members are chosen from the field of 25, they will earn the designation All-Army, and earn the chance to play at the Inter-Services Softball Tournament, Sept. 15-20, Fort Sill, Okla.
Following the inter-services competition, a 15-man Inter-Service All-Star team will be selected and will play at the Slow-Pitch National Championship Tournament in Oklahoma City.
Coronado offered signs of being ready for a prolonged season of Army softball during this intramural opening-round game. The first round game bounced in favor of his 728th MP Warfighters 14-3 as Coronado went three for four at the plate in the win over Bronco Company 1-14.
The double-elimination local tournament continues through Aug. 17. However, for Coronado, his softball work is just beginning.
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