Eielson Icemen's baseball season starts

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Rachelle Coleman
  • 354th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
EIELSON AIR FORCE BASE, Alaska --  Baseball season is here and the Eielson Icemen have been working hard to ensure the home team starts strong during this year's baseball season.

The Iceman team is a part of the Men's Adult Baseball League and plays against local teams in Fairbanks and North Pole. The MABL is a national baseball league for men 18 and older that provides the opportunity to play real baseball at a competitive level on a regular basis and in a professionally-run environment.

The Iceman team worked to become a private organization, which will allow them to hold fundraisers and hopefully participate in more tournaments to represent Eielson across America.
The team is open to active duty, guard, reserve, Department of Defense civilians and their spouses.

"All the guys are really dedicated," said Anthony Garcia, husband of Tech. Sgt. Deborah Garcia, the team's shortstop and batting instructor. "They all love the game and want to be here, they want to play - they've just got that oomph."

Coached by Jesse Robinson, husband of Staff Sgt. Michelle Robinson, a 354th Medical Group pharmacy technician, the team hopes to become a staple at Eielson. They want to provide volunteer opportunities to different clubs to run the concession stand during home games, offer quality entertainment for the family and most of all, an opportunity for Airmen to become involved in a team sport.

"I think they're working together really well. They've all been willing to stand in and help when they're needed," said Mr. Robinson. "This is a good group of dedicated guys with different personalities and I think that's helped us gel."

For those wanting to attend games but can't drive to Fairbanks during the week, the MABL has worked with the team of military members to schedule home games 2 p.m. Sunday at Newby Field in North Pole.

The team has set high goals for themselves and hopes to have a strong season.

"I really want our hitting average - and on base percentages overall in the league - to be 500," said Mr. Garcia. "I hope every guy is aggressive and we get a lot of hit-and-runs, we[need to] move runners and get on-base."

The season is three months long but with the recent growth into a private organization, Mr. Robinson hopes to keep the team together all year-round, holding practice and participating in tournaments in the lower 48 during the winter months.

*Editor's note: For those interested in volunteering to run concessions at home games, contact Jesse Robinson at 372-3231. Game times and locations will be posted in the community briefs as they become available.