Command Chief continues winning ways in Armed Forces tourney

  • Published
  • By Master Sgt. Stephen Delgado
  • 56th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
LUKE AIR FORCE BASE, Ariz. --  In the world of slow-pitch softball, Chief Master Sgt. Randall Raper, 56th Fighter Wing command chief, is a winner both as a player and a coach. Chief Raper has played on base, command and Air Force-level teams. He was selected to be an assistant coach for the Air Force Men's slow-pitch softball team. He has captured five gold medals in the Armed Forces Tournament as a coach competing against the Army, Navy and Marine Corps teams. 

The Air Force won the gold medal Sept. 25 by defeating the Army in the 2009 Armed Forces Men's Slow-pitch Softball Tournament at Naval Air Station Pensacola, Fla. The Air Force won their last six games to finish with a record of 7-2. 

The road to the gold starts in the spring with a call to fitness centers worldwide for anyone who thinks they have what it takes to be on the Air Force team, according to Chief Raper. 

"People interested in playing for the team fill out Air Force Form-303, which can be accessed online," he said. "This form provides a summary of someone's playing experience. The coaching staff may receive 75 to 100 of these resumes. After a careful review of the forms, 26 people are invited to try out at the two-week training camp at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla." 

One of most difficult aspects of coaching is deciding which players make the team. 

"We want to keep the best player at each position including the extra hitter, which is similar to the designated hitter in baseball," Chief Raper said. "A lot of veteran players send resumes, but it doesn't mean that they will automatically make the team. We want to get some new players in the process. 

"After the final cut, 15 players remain, but the coaching staff is careful to let those who go home early know their efforts are appreciated. We talk to the person on an individual basis," Chief Raper said. "We let them know what to work on and their strengths and weaknesses. It is important that they don't get discouraged. We want them to try again." 

Once the team is selected it is vital the players develop chemistry and cohesion. 

"We played a series of games and tournaments against civilian teams from across the country," Chief Raper said. "Our team played teams in the area, as well as traveling to Mississippi to play in the Amateur Softball Association B Eastern Nationals." 

After two weeks of "warm-ups" the team headed for The Armed Forces Tournament. 

The event is a five-day, round-robin tourney, with each of the four teams (Air Force, Army, Navy, Marine Corps) playing each other three times, for a total of nine games each, according to Chief Raper. 

The tournament got off to a rough start for the Air Force team, as they lost two out of three games, making their gold medal chances look grim. 

"We started with a win over the Marine Corps, but then lost two in a row, including a beating by the Navy, but then it was time to get our team to focus on what needed to be done to win a gold medal," Chief Raper said. "There was no room for error." 

The Air Force team found their focus and won the next six games, capturing the championship with a 26 to 12 win over the Army, adding another gold medal to their storied history. 

The softball teams are part of the Armed Forces Sports Program, promoting friendly competition among the Air Force, Army, Navy and Marine Corps, as well as encouraging fitness and physical conditioning within the military. 

Chief Raper said he's thankful Brigadier General Kurt Neubauer, 56th Fighter Wing Commander, for being an enthusiastic supporter of the program. 

"The General is a proponent of sports and physical conditioning and looks at sports as a teaching opportunity, especially for younger Airman, and he feels it is a great opportunity to represent the Air Force," he said. 

The opportunity to represent the Air Force on an international sports level came earlier this year when Chief Raper was invited to be an assistant coach for the U.S. Men's Slow-pitch Softball team. 

The first ever international slow-pitch softball competition pitted the USA against Canada in July's Border Battle in Oklahoma City, Okla. The USA bested the Canadians 30 to 23 in the game which aired live on ESPN. 

"It was a great experience to be on that stage," Chief Raper said. "The television ratings were excellent, and we met the two-hour time slot. The ESPN staff was impressed by the excitement and speed of the sport. We hope to do it again next year, and our goal is to get more countries involved and eventually have a full world cup tournament. Men's slow-pitch softball is the most played adult sport, so the audience is there."