Photo By Sgt. Devan Gowans | San Francisco children greet Lou Seal, the Giants' Mascot, during a softball...... read more read more
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SAN FRANCISCO - With San Francisco Fleet Week 2015 in full swing, service members took to the old baseball diamond to settle some friendly competition.
Marines, Sailors, Coast Guardsmen, and local first responders participated in the 5th Annual San Francisco Fleet Week softball tournament at Moscone Field in San Francisco, California, Oct. 8.
Before the tournament, the Marines practiced with members of San Francisco’s Academy of Art University softball team, followed by the ceremonial first pitch delivered by Cheryl Scoma, a local restaurateur and Fleet Week devotee. The Marines fielded their valuable players in a showdown against the San Francisco Sheriff’s Department during the first game. SFSD then proceeded to battle it out for a win against the Marines in front of the eager crowd.
During intermission, a small ensemble with Task Force San Francisco dropped in and amazed the crowd by delivering energetic music to the ballpark. The afternoon brought spirited matches between the U.S. Navy, Alameda Coast Guard, and San Francisco Police Department baseball teams.
In its running as part of Fleet Week, the softball tournament has aided in bridging a gap and allowing for direct interaction between the service members and the residents of San Francisco.
“As usual, this event is a great showing of camaraderie and fellowship between the community and service members,” said Ray Siotto, a member of the San Francisco Fleet Week board of directors. “The neighborhood has been very receptive to the Marines and Sailors here.”
The softball tournament hosted by SFFW ’15 also allows the service members and first responders to develop trust and bonds, which strengthens relations and work efficiency during joint humanitarian assistance and disaster relief efforts.
“Overall, this tournament is a way for first responders to come together as a big family that can support San Francisco in the event of a crisis,” said 1st Lt. Joel Del Rosario, the communications officer for Task Force San Francisco.
SFFW ’15 is a week-long event that blends a unique training and education program that focuses on humanitarian assistance disaster relief with particular emphasis on defense support to civil authorities. The demonstrations and events held during Fleet Week safeguard the Marines Corps and Navy’s reputation as the nation’s premier emergency response force.
“The whole city of San Francisco truly embraces the concept of Fleet Week with open arms,” Siotto added. “It allows them to understand that we all need the cooperation of one another in the event of crisis.”
| Date Taken: | 10.09.2015 |
| Date Posted: | 10.09.2015 17:25 |
| Story ID: | 178615 |
| Location: | SAN FRANCISCO, CA, US |
| Web Views: | 96 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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