EGLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. -- "My most cherished moment from playing baseball when I was younger, one of my teammates got his very first hit in our last game of the season. The look on his face was priceless! He could hardly believe it, so he didn't even run. We had to yell at him to run to first base!"
U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Robert Bryson, 33rd Fighter Wing Plans and Programs noncommissioned officer in charge, shares his love and experience for the game of baseball by coaching the 33 FW Wing Staff Agency intramural team.
"Growing up, my dad motivated me the most. Early on, he taught me how to throw a baseball and told me to close my eyes and pitch as hard as I can to him. He told me to let my mechanics speak for themselves and I took that to heart. After many, many throws, I finally hit him in the chest every time."
At the age of two, Bryson picked up his first baseball and at the age of four, he played in his first tee-ball game. From then on, he continued to play throughout high school and into college.
"Playing in college my freshman and sophomore year, I was a reliever with scarce playing time. Then come my junior year, I ended up making second team all-conference. I was pitching and hitting every day and had the best year ever, due to how hard I was able to work for it."
Bryson carries that hard work into his Air Force career and onto the field as a coach and player.
"Always work as hard as you possibly can, never give up and always cheer on your teammates no matter what. One of the best things about baseball is that it's a team sport and it's fun to share those moments with everybody."