Fourteen Airmen from the Wolf Pack participated in a game of America's pastime, baseball, against Gunsan City's own baseball league at the Kunsan Sang High School in Munhwadong, Gunsan City, June 21.

The purpose of the friendly match between the local community and Kunsan Airmen was to continue the lasting partnership on the peninsula and to experience each other's cultures as they operate as a team.

1st Lt. Salvatore Randazzo, 8th Civil Engineer Squadron installation management flight commander and pitcher for Kunsan, organized a base team to play against Gunsan's all-star team.

"It is great having this opportunity to play against a different culture," said Randazzo. "It really builds strong relationships between our two countries. I'm glad we have this chance to really show each other how well we all work as a team."

The game is considered an annual event at the request of the local township. Every year, members of Kunsan assemble a team of their best players to play downtown.

"I believe it to be very useful to hold this type of game every year," said Moon TaeHwan, Gunsan Baseball Association chief and pitcher for the Korean team. "The American athletes played the game passionately. I believe our players should follow the example of their team."

Moon also stated that the American team showed up strong, displaying their distinctive abilities to play the game, which made them a very difficult opponent this year.

"There were some great plays made out there to include Airman 1st Class Ryan Fitzgerald's amazing over-the-shoulder catch, and Staff Sgt. David Curley coming in as an excellent relief pitcher to close out the game," Randazzo added. "These guys on both teams really came together to make it a great game."

The game's final score was 22 to 21, with the Korean team taking the win.

"The Korean team was extremely respectful, humble, and all around great players," Randazzo added. "At the beginning and the end of a game, the two teams shake hands and thank each other. It goes to show that it is more about the camaraderie than it is about the scoreboard. We had a great time and hopefully this tradition continues and we get invited to play again next year."