Home runs unite allies

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Cory W. Bush
  • 31st Fighter Wing Public Affairs
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.”