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Home runs unite allies

By Senior Airman Cory W. Bush, 31st Fighter Wing Public Affairs / Published June 06, 2017

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The Aviano Tigerz and Junior Alpina baseball teams line up for the American and Italian National Anthems prior to their baseball game June 3, 2017, at Aviano Air Base, Italy. The Aviano Tigerz hosted the Junior Alpina team from Trieste, Italy, in a friendly match that fostered competition and friendship. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Cory W. Bush)

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Brig. Gen. Lance Landrum, 31st Fighter Wing commander, and Mario Rispoli, founder and honorary president of the Junior Alpina league, throw the ceremonial first pitches June 3, 2017, at Aviano Air Base, Italy. Rispoli is one of the first Italians who played baseball when Army Brig. Gen. Edmund Sebree, a U.S. Army forces commander during World War II, introduced the game to locals in 1945. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Cory W. Bush)

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Players from the Aviano Tigerz and Junior Alpina baseball teams gather for a group photo June 3, 2017, at Aviano Air Base, Italy. In this goodwill game, winning or losing did not matter, it was about making new and long-lasting relationships. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Cory W. Bush)

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The Aviano Tigerz and Junior Alpina baseball teams play baseball June 3, 2017, at Aviano Air Base, Italy. Over the past 172 years, baseball has expanded beyond the United States of America and is played from field to field in over 50 different countries. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Cory W. Bush)

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Trevian Ware, Aviano Tigerz pitcher, throws a fastball during a game June 3, 2017, at Aviano Air Base, Italy. The Aviano Tigerz hosted the Junior Alpina team from Trieste, Italy, in a goodwill game that fostered competition as well as friendship. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Cory W. Bush)

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Players from the Aviano Tigerz and Junior Alpina baseball teams play baseball June 3, 2017, at Aviano Air Base, Italy. In this goodwill game, winning or losing did not matter, it was about making new and long-lasting relationships. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Cory W. Bush)

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An Aviano Tigerz player scores a run during a baseball game June 3, 2017, at Aviano Air Base, Italy. The Aviano Tigerz hosted the Junior Alpina team from Trieste, Italy, in a friendly match that fostered competition as well as friendship. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Cory W. Bush)

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A player from the Junior Alpina baseball team swings during a baseball game June 3, 2017, at Aviano Air Base, Italy. Over the past 172 years, the game has expanded beyond the United States of America and is played from field to field in over 50 different countries. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Cory W. Bush)

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Players from the Aviano Tigerz and Junior Alpina baseball teams shake hands after a game June 3, 2017, at Aviano Air Base, Italy. In this goodwill game, winning or losing did not matter, it was about making new and long-lasting relationships. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Cory W. Bush)

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AVIANO AIR BASE, Italy -- Baseball’s one of America’s national pastimes is woven into its diverse history. For the past 172 years, the game has expanded beyond the United States and is played from field to field in more than 50 countries.

On June 3, 2017, 26 young American and Italian players, shared this national pastime at Aviano Air Base, Italy. The Aviano Tigerz hosted the Junior Alpina team from Trieste, Italy, in a goodwill game that fostered competition and friendship.

“As I was watching my son play the game I felt a sense of pride and friendship being built on and off the field,” said Senior Master Sgt. Tanisha Williams, 31st Fighter Wing Inspector General superintendent. “They play for the love of the game and will one day look back and appreciate the moments they spent together on the field.”

Today, Italy plays baseball at a national level and in the Olympics. Along with the Italian baseball league, leagues at all age levels continue the spirit of camaraderie and sportsmanship that was introduced by Americans during World War II.

Baseball roots in Italy can be traced back to 1945. As World War II was ending, U.S. troops stationed in Trieste, Italy, started playing football, basketball and baseball to pass the time. Among the three, locals gravitated toward baseball the most.

In fact, one of the founders and honorary president of the Junior Alpina league, Mario Rispoli, started playing baseball when Army Brig. Gen. Edmund Sebree, a Wolrd War II U.S. Army commander, introduced and helped grow the sport by supplying local teams with equipment and building the Soldiers Field of Opincina, which still stands today.

Continuing Sebree’s generosity and his love for the game, being a coach and life mentor for the players is what it’s all about for Master Sgt. Donald Gray, 31st Civil Engineer Squadron first sergeant.

“As coaches we try very hard to be good role models and ensure we teach the fundamentals of baseball, and life,” said Gray. “My wish is that all these young men take away something about teamwork, trust, effort, diversity, resiliency and more, so this game and tradition carries on.”

By volunteering to coach and encouraging the younger generation to be involved and get to know their opponents through a friendly baseball game, Team Aviano Airmen and their families continue the Sebree’s legacy and the soldiers who built friendships through sport.

“Baseball is loved by all these kids,” said Gray. “An event such as this strengthens ties with our host nation outside of military and political aspects.”

Allies

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friendship