Friendship in the Sandlot

TINIAN, NORTHERN MARIANA ISLANDS

09.22.2014

Story by Lance Cpl. Luis Ramirez 

Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni

TINIAN, Northern Mariana Islands - “In the past years that Marines have been here, we have held softball games,” said Pastor Jim Howard, the principal of Grace Christian Academy on Tinian and head coordinator of the event. “It has become a tradition to have the Marines come play; it’s something the local residents look forward to.”

As part of the game, participants split into two teams. The Marine team consisted of both service members and members of the local community and the opposing team consisted of only Tinian’s residents.

With the game underway, the local team took a commanding lead, scoring 10 runs before the bottom of the first inning.

“It took me by surprise seeing them score so much, so fast,” said Lance Cpl. Chandler Page, a maintenance management specialist, with MWSS-171, Marine Aircraft Group 12, 1st Marine Aircraft Wing, III Marine Expeditionary Force. “We had a lot of different skill levels on the Marines’ team, from people who play the sport often to some who are trying the sport for the first time.”

The early lead by the opposing team did not discourage the Marines’ team, and instead, but put them in a mindset to defeat the opposing team who received a head start win, according to Page.

The local team’s lead did not last. By the bottom of the 4th inning the score stood 12-11 in favor of the Marines.

“Every time we can get service members and the local youth together, it is a great thing for the community,” said Keith Nabors, the coach for the local softball team. “We had a great outcome today and both teams did amazing, especially when the Marines closed the early score gap.”

However, the Marines’ rally was not enough to secure the victory as the game concluded with the final score of 17-13 in favor of the local team.

“There were no real losers today,” said Lt. Col. James Whiteker, the commanding officer of the squadron. “Marines and the local populace came out here for one thing, to build bonds with each other and that is exactly what they accomplished.”

Whiteker said he enjoyed being out and watching his Marines play, adding that he encourages service members to actively look for events like this to build strong ties with the community.

• Date Taken: 09.22.2014
• Date Posted: 09.23.2014 17:57
• Story ID: 143062
• Location: TINIAN, MP