MARINE CORPS AIR STATION CHERRY POINT, N.C. - Marines from installations all over the East Coast came together to compete in the East Coast Regional Softball Tournament held on the softball fields of Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, Aug. 20-25.
“This tournament is held every year to help the All-Marine Softball coach find East Coast Marines with promise and talent to take to camp,” said Gil George, assistant athletic director with Cherry Point.
The Marines selected from the East Coast will join Marines from the West Coast and the Pacific for the All-Marine camp that will be held here starting tomorrow and continuing through second week of September.
“I will be bringing more than 30 Marines from the East Coast, West Coast and Okinawa, Japan,” said Dan Daniels, the All-Marine softball coach. “What I look for in a player is someone who not only makes the routine plays, but they also are an offensive threat in any situation that might arise.”
There are nine teams representing the East Coast, and competing for the East Coast Regional Championship.
“It means a lot to be representing my station,” said Mark Medlin, pitcher for Marine Corps Air Station New River. “We are out here to represent the other Marines on our station.”
The teams are made up of a minimum of 15 players, and each brings their own talents to the game.
“The best part of the tournament is the camaraderie of playing softball with guys you know from around the Corps,” said Chris Garrison, first baseman for Cherry Point’s team. “There is a lot of pride and satisfaction in competing with 15 guys you know against everyone else from all over the East Coast.”
According to George, the tournament was a round-robin tournament, which means all teams played each other once, and the team with the best overall record was be declared the winner.
“Softball is an offensive man’s game,” said Daniels. “I come to these tournaments expecting two things: one, a great tournament full of exciting softball, and two, looking for the best Marines available so we can win this year’s Armed Forces tournament.”
Quantico emerged victorious with an overrall perfect record of 8-0.