A well-oiled machine Published Sept. 23, 2008 By Jessilyn King 52nd Fighter Wing Public Affairs student intern SPANGDAHLEM AIR BASE, Germany -- Two weeks before Labor Day weekend, while the rest of us were working our daily jobs and adjusting to going back to school, Senior Master Sgt. Joel Berry and his 13 varsity softball players were on the field at Royal Air Force Lakenheath, England, getting ready to play their sixth and final game for the United States Air Forces in Europe Men's Varsity Softball Championship. In addition to the almost five hours they had already been playing, it was time to compete with Aviano for the championship. They had already played against Aviano and won but had to beat them a second time to win the finals. The men were tired and overworked and lost their last game and came in second in the USAFE Men's Varsity Softball Championship. "I like to consider that loss of the championship game circumstantial," said Sergeant Berry, the men's coach, "my guys were just tired and Aviano is a really good team." The men had only two more weeks of practice; however, until it was time for what Coach Berry considered the "Superbowl" of men's varsity softball tournaments in Europe. Labor Day weekend rolled around and the team traveled to Camp Darby, Italy, to play eight more games against Europe's finest softball teams. The men played extremely well throughout the tournament only having one or two close games. "We were horrible at the beginning of the season, but through everybody sticking together and becoming cohesive, we won the biggest tournament at the end of the year," said Coach Berry. The men had a batting average of .640 and left the field with 57 homeruns. The team went home with the European Men's Varsity Softball Championship title and glowing smiles on their faces. However, that's only the beginning of what the coach thinks makes this team so special. Coming together has not only made them stronger players, but has made their relationships stronger as well. "We hang out together before and after the games, we often camp together, it's like a little Spangdahlem village with all of us in our tents with our families," Tech. Sgt. Mike Kliss said, one of the most valuable players of this year's team. He and Staff Sgt. Tony Rivera, also an MVP for the team, were interviewed together and discussed their friendship that has grown over the years. "Tony and I have been friends since softball started," said Sergeant Kliss. "We do Thanksgivings and birthdays together, our kids hang out together too," said Sergeant Rivera. One thing's for sure with this team; they know how to have fun on and off the field. Additional softball superstars include TSgt Dexter High and TSgt Matt Cotter for USAFE All Tournament; SSgt Mark Kuhar was named the European Championships MVP; TSgt Matt Cotter, TSgt Mike Kliss, SSgt Tony Rivera and SrA Pete Dominguez were European Championships All Tournament; and SSgt Tony Rivera was named the European Championships Defensive MVP.