MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP LEJEUNE, N.C. -- The sound of laughter, cheering, jeering and overall fun could be heard throughout the Courthouse Bay Fitness Center, Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, as the Marine Corps Community Services hosted their Dodgeball Tournament, Aug. 20.
The tournament, which was open to all Marines, had four teams competing for the title of number one. The units included 2nd Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion, 2nd Marine Division; 2nd Assault Amphibian Battalion, 2nd Marine Division and Combat Engineer Instruction Company, Marine Corps Engineer School. A fourth team joined the fray and was called Randoms.
While some of the teams came in normal gym clothes, others decided to wear matching and even absurd uniforms which got laughs from the crowd. The Combat Engineer Instruction Company arrived wearing a standard black shirt, green silkies and to top it all off, knee-high white socks.
“We joined while we were at the range on Friday. We always do stuff together on weekends and this weekend we decided to try our hand in dodgeball,” said Pfc. Nicholas Henes, a Marine going through the Basic Combat Engineer course at the engineer school. “It’s a fun game and we decided to wear this uniform to make it more fun.”
Before the game started, rules were laid down. Each team could only have six players, no headshots, players could not hold the ball for longer than five seconds and if a ball was thrown and caught by the opposing player before the ball hit the ground, the thrower would be out and one of the catcher’s teammates could jump back into the game.
With only four teams playing, the tournament went by fairly quickly. Up first were the Randoms going up against the 2nd Assault Amphibian Battalion. During the game, Lance Cpl. Justin Cabrera, an amphibious assault vehicle crew chief with 2nd AA Bn., 2nd Marine Division, got in a throw which was aimed at the opposing player’s chest. But the other player decided then would be a great time to duck down and grab a passing ball.
The end result was a ball to the face which drew winces and laughter from those in the stands who had shown up to support their friends.
After beating 2nd Assault Amphibian Battalion, the Randoms went on to fight for third place against 2nd Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion. It was a short, but very heated game that ended in favor of 2nd Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion.
With 2nd Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion claiming the third place title, they took a quick break and prepared to take on the intimidating Combat Engineer Instruction Company.
In the end, the Combat Engineer Instruction Company proved their manliness when they came out on top. Although it was a friendly competition among Marines, each team put forth their best foot.
“The main thing we’re trying to do is give the Marines a chance to have fun,” said Amy Pinkoski, the manager for the Courthouse Bay Fitness Center. “They certainly accomplished that and they all had great sportsmanship about it as well.”