PETERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Colo. –
The NORAD-USNORTHCOM silver softball team presented their base championship trophy to Lt. Gen. Michael Dubie, deputy commander United States Northern Command, and vice commander, U.S. Element, North American Aerospace Defense Command here Feb. 2, 2015.
This year’s championship title is the third straight for a team that originated out of the combatant command’s J6, or communications, directorate.
“We were not so good at that time,” said then player, now coach Richard Morales. “Since then we took third in 2010, runner ups in 2011 and now base champions for the last three years.”
During this time the team donned new uniforms, expanded the roster to include command-wide representation and ditched practices for city league games.
“The core of our softball team has been together for several years,” said Maurice Frazier, first baseman and back up pitcher for the team. “We know each other’s strengths and weaknesses and complement each other very well.”
Both members agree that playing for the command leads to benefits both on and off the field.
“Playing sports like this helps with morale, we get to know other people and build friendships with the team members and their families,” said Morales.
“After a busy week of work, it’s nice to get together with your teammates, both on and off the field, playing a sport that we all love to play,” echoed Frazier.
Though the base softball season won’t begin until May, the team will begin dusting off their cleats for the city league as early as next month giving them ample time to get ready for another winning season.