Labor Day sports bring two countries together for friendly competition

Photo By Joseph Schmitt | Players from Yokohaka S-Team and Atsugi Flyers vie for control of the ball at Fleet Activities, Yokosuka Morale Welfare and Recreation Labor Day basketball tournament, Aug. 31. The Flyers went on to take first place in the tournament.  

YOKOSUKA, KANAGAWA, JAPAN

08.31.2013

Story by Joseph Schmitt 

Commander, Fleet Activities Yokosuka

YOKOUSKA, Japan - Fleet Activities, Yokosuka Morale Welfare and Recreation held its annual Labor Day sports tournament at Purdy Fitness Center and softball fields, Aug. 31. Basketball teams from Japan joined the festivities and competed with the American teams.

“It's a big sports day,” said Jessie Ecklund, MWR Yokosuka sports director. “We've got softball going on, the team from the [USS George Washington] is looking strong out there right now. We've also got the basketball going on inside. The Japanese teams are playing tough and everybody's have a good time.”

MWR Yokosuka host similar events four times a year: spring, the Fourth of July, Labor Day and in the winter. They try to coordinate the times for when the ship's forward deployed the Fleet Activities, Yokosuka so more teams can play. There is usually a friendly rivalry between the afloat commands and their shore based counterparts.

“I have a certain level of pride playing on a team from a ship with a smaller crew,” Electronic Technician 3rd Class Cody Flannery, USS John S. McCain (DDG 56) softball player. “We're not in first place but this morning we didn't have enough players. We called people up and we got enough of us to play. It's a real bonding type of experience.”

Inside Purdy Gym, teams from on and off base competed for greatness on the basketball courts. Two teams from Yokohama, Yokohama S-Team and the Bay Dogs, joined the teams from the U.S. military community.

“It's tough, there are at least five games but it's a nice experience,” said Banri Takenouchi, player for Yokohama S-Team. “They're [the American teams] are physical, it's been a very physical game. The games have been close, always one or two baskets apart from winning or losing. It's been nice.”

At the basketball game, referees from the National Basketball Association and Women's National Basketball Association called the game with referees in training from both on base and off-base referee organizations.

“It all worked together, our referees needed training and we needed teams so we invited the NBA and WNBA referees along with the Japanese teams and referees to have a friendly game,” said David Law, event coordinator. “It's a friendly game and we get to exchange ideas about the game. It's two different way to approach the game for the players and two ways to officiate the game. It's fun and also a great learning environment.”

Team Rec'd, made up of mostly MWR Yokosuka-affiliated players, took first place in the softball tournament with Team Hellcats from USS McCambell (DDG 85), taking second. For basketball, Atsugi Flyers from Naval Air Facility Atsugi took first and Team Brotherhood from Fleet Activities, Yokosuka took second.

• Date Taken: 08.31.2013
• Date Posted: 09.25.2013 02:55
• Story ID: 114208
• Location: YOKOSUKA, KANAGAWA, JP