Washington D.C.-
Nats on Base hosted the Battle of the Bases Championship at Nationals Park in Washington, D.C., on Sept.14, 2019. Nats on Base is a community partnership within the National Capital Region that serves the U.S. Armed Forces community and their families by giving them opportunities and programs to participate in.
The Battle of the Bases is a tournament that takes place all around the National Capital Region. The top two teams from the local military bases squared off at Joint Base Anacostia-Bolling on 24-25 Aug., 2019 in a double elimination. Only two teams remained, the MCB Quantico Finance Team and The President’s Own U.S. Marine Band team. Both teams competed in a six-inning match to win the Battle of the Bases Championship title.
Col. William Bentley III, the commanding officer of MCB Quantico is the team captain for the Finance Team.
“In the end it’s all about competition and competition makes us better,” said Bentley. “ Any of the intramural sports get our Marines participating and competing against each other, and just sharpens our skills and makes us better.”
Col. Jason Fettig, the 28th Director of the United States Marine Corps Band, The President's Own is the captain of the opposing team.
“Marines by nature are competitive so these two teams are going to go after each other with everything they have,” said Fettig. “But no matter who wins at the end of this game, they are going to embrace each other as brothers and sisters.”
Sgt. Maj. Troy Black, the Sergeant Major of the Marine Corps threw the ceremonial first pitch of the softball game.
“Whenever Marines have the time to compete, whether its against our enemies or against each other, it’s a chance to get better at something and hone our skills,” said Black.
“At the end of the day I don’t have a favorite [team], no matter what happens, a Marine is going to win.”
The President's own beat the Quantico Finance team 15 to 5 in the six-inning match up.