Intramural softball players competed in the 2017 Softball All-Star Day games Aug. 3, 2017, at Little Rock Air Force Base.

The Home Run Derby and the All-Star game raised morale and promoted friendly competition leading up to the championship game at the end of the softball season.

“We’re halfway through the season already,” said Staff Sgt. David Nearbin, 19th Force Support Squadron sports manager. “We haven’t hosted an All-Star day in years so this is a great opportunity for the base to come out and have a good time.”

The Home Run Derby was a free-for-all batting match for players to claim the derby trophy.

Each competitor had 10 minutes and two rounds to hit as many home runs as possible. Master Sgt. Alex Ford, 189th Maintenance Squadron quality assurance inspector, came out victorious with a combined total of 11 home runs. 

“I’ve been playing for 27 years,” Ford said. “It was just good to be out there with a good group of people. It was all in good spirits but it was also a well-planned and executed game.”

Following the Derby was the All-Star game where the intramural softball coaches selected their best players to create two competing teams: the American League team and the National League team. 

The National League batted first, taking the lead in the first inning. However, the American League answered with repeated hits of their own.

After a close match and seven innings, the National League won 14-9.

“It was pretty awesome,” said Staff Sgt. Steven Galioto, National League team coach. “I’ve never been a part of a base who has an all-star game. I think the outfield was the deciding factor for both teams because we were both getting hits.”  

Until next year, softball teams all-over Team Little Rock will have the opportunity to participate and take home the Softball All-Star trophy.