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Community invites Gen. Kee to little League opener

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Kimberly Spinner
  • 379th Air Expeditionary Wing
SOUTHWEST ASIA --  A patch of grass and a diamond brought more than 270 youth participants and 30 teams representing more than 20 different nationalities to play baseball Oct. 15 at the host nation's American High School.

Brig. Gen. Randy Kee, commander of the 379th Air Expeditionary Wing and a devoted baseball fan, threw out the ceremonial first pitch at the little league annual season opener here, marking the league's 13th season.

"(The opening ceremony) was exciting for everybody," said Scott Rudacille, the league's Nationals major league head coach. " I even felt the hairs stand up on the back of my neck."

Mr. Rudacille added that this year's event was more like a big league baseball opener than last year and he believes General Kee's participation made the event a memorable experience for the players who ranged in ages from 4 to 16.

"Some of these kids are just coming up from the minor league, said Mr. Rudacille. "So, some of these kids have never seen a pitch from a live pitcher. We are going to be focusing on kids swinging at real pitches and trying to understand their positions."

The coach added it's not about winning or losing at the beginning of the season, it's about understanding the fundamentals.

"Some of the kids asked if [General Kee] was a professional ball player because he threw the ball so well," said Mr. Rudacille. "For these kids, that meant a lot."

After throwing the ceremonial first pitch, more than 30 children surrounded General Kee to get their baseballs and gloves autographed.

"Participation in these kind of events help our relationship with the [local community] to allow us the opportunity to interact at a personal level as well as the professional level," said General Kee.

Participation in the little league opening ceremony was just one small piece of the wing leadership's vision of fostering long-term community relations.

"I was honored and privileged to have the opportunity to throw the first pitch at the little league season opener," said General Kee. "I am very grateful to be able to show a small amount of support for such a great institution while serving here as a guest in this great country."