420th MUNS takes AMMO Bowl

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  • 501st Combat Support Wing Public Affairs
RAMSTEIN AIR BASE, Germany --  Over the 4th of July weekend, while others were out BBQing and shooting off fireworks, the softball team from the 420th Munitions Squadron, RAF Welford, was at Ramstein, Germany attempting to win the coveted USAFE AMMO Bowl cup. 

During the 23rd Annual USAFE AMMO Bowl took place July 3-5 with 10 teams participating from 6 bases and 3 countries. The first day of play started with Welford gaining a forfeit because of the opposing team failing to show up on time, then sliding past Ramstein A team in an extra inning game and then finishing up the Round Robin portion of the tournament with a 30-1 victory over the Spangdahlem B team. 

With the #1 seed in the tournament, the 420th's quest for the cup would start for real on Saturday against Camp Darby A. With a narrow victory of 12-11, the 420th next played Lakenheath MUNS and after a slow start, won easily 19-6. 

The next day brought about a rematch of a round robin game against Ramstein A team and again the 420th pulled out a victory over the defending AMMO Bowl Champs 10-5.
Earning a spot in the finals, the 420th had to sit back and see who their opponent would be, Ramstein A or Aviano A. Ramstein A won the game and the Welford team prepared to battle them yet again to determine who would be this year's AMMO Bowl champs. The game started out slow and steady with each team scoring only a few runs, if any during the first few innings. 

Finally, the 420th scored 4 runs in the 5th inning to go up on Ramstein 11-10. They held Ramstein to no more runs in the 6th and 7th inning while we tacked on one run in the bottom of the 6th for good measure. 

The game ended with a line drive being snagged by the pitcher and the rest of the team smothering him at the pitcher's mound. It was the first AMMO Bowl victory for some, while some enjoyed a second. 

"It was a good tournament for all us but mostly the younger ammo troops and those non-ammo guys from Fairford," said Ken Childre, team coach and pitcher. Those guys didn't have to wait 18 years to win their first AMMO Bowl, like I did. Now this is my second at 22 and a half years and it felt just as good then as it does now." 

"To turn up the AMMO Bowl Cup at the end of the tournament, drink from it and know you are the best AMMO softball team in USAFE for the year is something that can't be put into words, " he added. 

As a result of winning the tournament the 420th was able to choose 5 individuals to the All Tourney Team with one being named MVP for the tournament. The players selected were Chris Gergen (420LRS), Will Daniels (420ABG), Cody Wood (420MUNS), Chris Berg (420 MUNS) and Ken Childre (420 MUNS) (MVP). 

Ken Childre also won the Little and Big Stick award for the tournament for the best Batting Average and Most Homeruns during the tournament. With the win, the 420th has the option of hosting next year's AMMO Bowl or turning it over to another team in USAFE.