Joint Base Andrews battles Fort Belvoir at Nationals Park

A Joint Base Andrews softball player is seen laying on a base while a catcher from the other team is seen catching a softball.

The Joint Base Andrews softball team plays against Fort Belvoir at the Battle of the Bases championship softball game at Nationals Park in Washington, D.C., Sep. 9, 2023. The game was hosted by the Washington Nationals MLB team and serves as an extension of the intramural season for military bases in the National Capital Region. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Gianluca Ciccopiedi)

Two softball players from Joint Base Andrews are seen fist-bumping while on the field. Other teammates are seen in the background.

Joint Base Andrews battles Fort Belvoir at Nationals Park

Softball players from Joint Base Andrews, Md., warm up before the Battle of the Bases championship softball game at Nationals Park in Washington, D.C., Sep. 9, 2023. Active duty service members from all six branches participated in the preliminary tournament in August and Andrews faced off against Fort Belvoir, Va., for the championship. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Gianluca Ciccopiedi)

Wide view of the field of Nationals Park where the players are playing in the softball championship. Fans can be seen sitting in the stands.

Joint Base Andrews battles Fort Belvoir at Nationals Park

The Joint Base Andrews softball team plays against Fort Belvoir at the Battle of the Bases championship softball game at Nationals Park in Washington, D.C., Sep. 9, 2023. Belvoir defeated Andrews 17-7. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Gianluca Ciccopiedi)

Military members are seen clapping while on the Nationals Park pitch. Referees for the game are also standing together and are seen in the background.

Joint Base Andrews battles Fort Belvoir at Nationals Park

Leadership from Joint Base Andrews, Md., and Fort Belvoir, Va., applaud while watching a military appreciation video during the Battle of the Bases championship softball game at Nationals Park in Washington, D.C., Sep. 9, 2023. The game was hosted by the Washington Nationals MLB team and serves as an extension of the intramural season for military bases in the National Capital Region. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Gianluca Ciccopiedi)

Fans sitting in the stands cheer for the softball team.

Joint Base Andrews battles Fort Belvoir at Nationals Park

Audience members cheer during the Battle of the Bases championship softball game at Nationals Park in Washington, D.C., Sep. 9, 2023. Teams from Joint Base Andrews, Md., and Fort Belvoir, Va., faced off during the game. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Gianluca Ciccopiedi)

A Joint Base Andrews softball player is swinging his bat to hit a softball that is seen coming towards him.

Joint Base Andrews battles Fort Belvoir at Nationals Park

The Joint Base Andrews softball team plays against Fort Belvoir during the Battle of the Bases championship softball game at Nationals Park in Washington, D.C., Sep. 9, 2023. Belvoir won the game 17-7. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Gianluca Ciccopiedi)

Six players of the Joint Base Andrews softball team lean on a railing while watching their teammates play from the sidelines.

Joint Base Andrews battles Fort Belvoir at Nationals Park

Joint Base Andrews players watch their teammates play during the Battle of the Bases championship softball game at Nationals Park in Washington, D.C., Sep. 9, 2023. The game was hosted by the Washington Nationals MLB team and serves as an extension of the intramural season for military bases in the National Capital Region. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Gianluca Ciccopiedi)

Joint Base Andrews softball team group photo on the pitch of Nationals Park.

Joint Base Andrews battles Fort Belvoir at Nationals Park

The Joint Base Andrews softball team poses for a group photo during Battle of the Bases at Nationals Park, Washington, D.C., Sep. 9, 2023. Battle of the Bases is a military softball tournament at the end of the intramural season for military bases in the National Capital Region. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Gianluca Ciccopiedi)

By Airman 1st Class Gianluca Ciccopiedi / Published Sept. 12, 2023

WASHINGTON,

Softball teams from Joint Base Andrews, Maryland, and Fort Belvoir, Virginia, played in the fourth annual Battle of the Bases championship game at Nationals Park, Sep. 9.

Battle of the Bases is hosted by the Nationals MLB team at the end of the intramural season for military bases in the National Capital Region. Preliminary rounds of the tournament were held to determine which of the 16 teams would have the opportunity to play in the championship game under the lights at Nationals Park.

This year Fort Belvoir took home the victory over Andrews in a game that ended 17-7.

“This is an outstanding opportunity for these service members to come out here, play ball here at Nats stadium, one in a lifetime opportunity,” said Matthew Ladd, head coach for Andrews. “Although we may have fallen a little short taking the championship, these guys battled hard, [and] won a ton of softball games to get here…I love these guys. These guys played their heart out and I’m proud to be their coach."