WADS U.S. vs Canada Softball Challenge Cup

By Kimberly D. Burke, Western Air Defense Sector Public Affairs / Published September 10, 2016

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The American's softball team poses for a photo after winning the Western Air Defense Sector U.S. vs Canada Softball Challenge Cup Sept. 1 with a final score of 22 to 7. Pictured from left to right are: (back row) Keven Blackwell, Nicholas Rhodes, Ian Crocker, Ryc Cyr, Kevin Weaver, David Bauld, Peter Hickam, Ryan McCray, and Michael Delaney. (Front row) Carlos Gonzales, Allan Lawson, Joseph Landis, Daniel Rebstock, David Quelland, Robert Staszek, Michael Doing, and Jason Weczorek. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Capt. Kimberly D. Burke)

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The Western Air Defense Sector’s CAN-AM Challenge Cup was officially passed from Canadian Detachment commander, Lt. Col. Matthew Wappler, to Chief Master Sgt. Daniel Rebstock, 225th Support Squadron superintendent, after the U.S. won the annual softball game by a final score of 22 to 7. Pictured from left to right are: Chief Master Sgt. Allan Lawson, Col. William Krueger, Chief Master Sgt. Daniel Rebstock, Canadian Lt. Col. Matthew Wappler, Canadian Warrant Officer Richard Martin, and Col. Gregor Leist. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Capt. Kimberly D. Burke)

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The Canadian Detachment softball team poses for a photo prior to the start of the Western Air Defense Sector U.S. vs Canada Softball Challenge Cup Sept. 1. Pictured from left to right are: (back row) Capt. Victor Choi, Major Brian Kynaston, Capt. Sean Anderson, Warrant Officer Gilles Turgeon, Capt. Barbara Steele, Corina Wappler, Chris Berkman, and Master Cpl. Brian Berkman. (Front row) Capt. Kenneth Mui, Major Marcelo Plada, Lt. Col. Matthew Wappler, Warrant Officer Richard Martin, Master Sgt. Gerald Sampson, and Kim Miller. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Kimberly D. Burke)

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American Keven Weaver bats against the Canadians in the second inning at the McChord Sports Complex Sept. 1. The U.S. team won the Western Air Defense Sector’s U.S. vs Canada Softball Challenge Cup at the McChord Sports Complex Sept. 1 by a final score of 22 to 7. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Kimberly D. Burke)

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Canadian Warrant officer Gilles Turgeon hits a fly ball to center field during the Western Air Defense Sector U.S. vs Canada Softball Challenge Cup Sept. 1. The U.S. won with a final score of 22 to 7. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Capt. Kimberly D. Burke)

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Canadian Detachment commander, Lt. Col. Matthew Wappler, hits a fly ball to left field during the Western Air Defense Sector U.S. vs Canada Softball Challenge Cup Sept. 1. The U.S. won with a final score of 22 to 7. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Capt. Kimberly D. Burke)

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Canadian pitcher Richard Martin is no match for American Kevin Blackwell as he hits to center field and singles during the fourth inning. The U.S. team won the Western Air Defense Sector’s U.S. vs Canada Softball Challenge Cup at the McChord Sports Complex Sept. 1 by a final score of 22 to 7. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Capt. Kimberly D. Burke)

Sept. 1, 2016 --

Twice a year the Washington Air National Guard’s Western Air Defense Sector holds a sports day where American and Canadian service members assigned to the unit can engage in a friendly battle for superiority on the hockey ice and on the softball fields.

In February, the Canadian Detachment narrowly won the annual Hockey Classic by a score of 4-3 at the Sprinker Recreation Center in Spanaway.

The softball game was an opportunity just before the Labor Day holiday for the American’s to exact revenge on the softball diamond.

“It is only fair for the Americans to choose a sport that they have a chance to win since they were not born with hockey skates on,” said Canadian Warrant Officer Richard Martin.

“The Canadian’s take playing hockey very seriously since it is their national pastime,” said Chief Master Sgt. Daniel Rebstock, 225th Support Squadron superintendent. “They don’t give us much slack on the ice.”

“Though we do adjust the softball rules slightly for them in order to give them a fighting chance,” Rebstock commented. “The Canadian Detachment only has 15 members assigned and they usually have to field players from their family ranks.”

The amended rules included each team being limited to five runs per inning for a total of seven innings.

The softball game started with the traditional playing of the Canadian and U.S. National Anthems. The 225th Air Defense Group commander, Col. William Krueger, and the Canadian Detachment commander, Lt. Col. Matthew Wappler, simultaneously threw out the first pitch in order to symbolize the long term partnership of Canada and the U.S. working side by side at the Western Air Defense Sector for more than 60 years.

The Canadians were holding their own until about the fifth inning when the American’s really started to pull away, according to Chief Master Sgt. Allan Lawson, 225th Air Defense Squadron superintendent. The American’s won decisively with a 22-7 score.

“Ultimately the main reason for the annual hockey and softball championships is to foster the continued partnership and espirt de corps between our countries while guarding America’s skies 24/7,” said Col. Gregor Leist, Western Air Defense Sector commander.