86th MXS wins intramural softball championship

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Jimmie D. Pike
  • 86th Airlift Wing Public Affairs
RAMSTEIN AIR BASE, Germany – Glints of sunlight shimmer through the squinted eyes of an 86th Maintenance Squadron softball player as he steps up to the batting plate and rears back his bat.

The crowd erupts into a mix of jeers, taunts, and praises as the 786th Force Support Squadron’s pitcher hurls the ball confidently through the air over home plate. With a loud, thunderous crack, the crowd is enveloped by a silent amazement as the batter redirects the ball over the fence.

Three 86th MXS players stride around the bases to home plate contributing to the team’s 2017 Intramural Softball Championship Game win at the Southside Fitness Center softball field on Ramstein Air Base, Germany Aug. 23, 2017.

“We came into the season knowing we were going to win the trophy,” said Senior Airman Etienne Leboeuf, 86th MXS precision measurement equipment laboratory journeyman and softball team assistant coach. “We played every game with that mentality. If we hadn’t, we wouldn’t have won in the end, because the other teams were competitive.”

Being optimistic and having the same attitude and mindset allowed the team to come together and win battles on and off the field.

“It feels good to come out here and play with this team,” said Staff Sgt. Jose Otero, 86th MXS aerospace ground equipment craftsman and softball team coach. “We saw a lot of camaraderie where all the shops in maintenance came together and played toward a unified goal. We are all looking forward to playing together next year.”