AF brings back field of Airman's dreams

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Natasha Stannard
  • 52nd Fighter Wing Public Affairs
Spangdahlem Air Base, Germany --  On July 27, 2012, Airman 1st Class John Allen became a member of the U.S. Air Force softball team.

Up until 2010, the 606th Air Control Squadron radio frequency transmission systems technician from Smyrna, Tenn., had never even touched a softball, but having played baseball for 15 years, he missed the home-run field.

Allen was a major league baseball hopeful in college and came very close to making the cut. When that didn't happen, he decided to put on a uniform that represented not just one state, but his entire country. He joined the U.S. Air Force in 2009.

Joining the Air Force's ranks, he thought he had forever traded in his cleats for combat boots, but he was wrong.

"I get the best of both worlds," he said. "I get to serve my country and play a little bit of ball on the side."

Allen was approached by Airmen in his squadron to play softball. While he never played before, Allen figured it was as close to playing baseball as he could get so he joined the 606th ACS intramural softball team and was later picked up for the Spangdahlem Air Base team.

Playing on the base team gave Allen the opportunity to play in several different countries in Europe with local national and other U.S. military teams. Playing so many different teams around Europe gave Allen the ability to build his statistics, a requirement for making the U.S. Air Force team.

To make the Air Force team hopefuls have to send in an application, which requires support from the individual's leadership.

"Thankfully my leadership and coworkers are very supportive and that allows me to be able to go to games and build statistics to make a higher level team," Allen said. "As long as you have references you have a chance to get picked up."

Allen was one of 26 people who were picked up to try out for the U.S. Air Force softball team. Of those 26, 15 including Allen were selected for the team.

As a U.S. Air Force softball team member he had the opportunity to play head-to-head in the Armed Forces Championships against his sister services at Fort Sill, Okla.

"Playing against the Army, Navy and Marines was a great experience," he said. "It was probably the most competitive and intense atmosphere I've played in. Hopefully I get another shot at it next year."

The Air Force team came very close to winning the championships with a 7-2 record; however, the Army came out on top with the same score, but they beat the Air Force 2-1 and were awarded gold.

"On the field it's a lot about teamwork and cohesion," he said. "With my job here I work with a lot of people ... in softball it's the same thing; you have to count on the guys beside you. You can't just go out there and try to win everything yourself. You have to rely on your teammates."

While Allen's team lost the championship, he still feels a sense of accomplishment just being a part of the team.

"Even before the Armed Forces tournament we would go to American Softball Association championships and we'd be the only full military team coming in and everybody could see us," he said.

As the youngest on the team, Allen held the U.S. flag as he led them out to the field. He said that when he went out there he could feel the support from the crowd and made him feel proud to be a member of not only the team, but of the military.

Editor's note: After the Armed Forces tournament, Allen was also picked up for the All-Armed Forces team.