Tee-up

  • Published
  • By Airman Autumn Vogt
  • 49th Wing Public Affairs Office

At the young age of four, Tori started playing softball. She played for the Bratz, wearing a yellow and red uniform in Brazil, Indiana.

Her hard work and determination has brought her many home runs on and off the field.

            Senior Airman Tori Tilley, 49th Maintenance Group maintenance scheduler, has played on the All-Air Force Women’s Softball Team the past two seasons and played for the U.S. Armed Forces Woman’s Softball team this past season.

            Tilley began her journey playing softball for the Air Force approximately a year ago when she was selected to attend the All-Air Force Women’s Softball Team Trial Camp at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland, Texas.

            Out of the 25 selected for the trial camp, only 15 were chosen to represent the Air Force at the Armed Forces Championship.

            “I was extremely excited when I was chosen for the All-Air Force Team,” said Tilley. “I enjoy playing softball and have since I was young. When I found out about the Air Force Team, I knew I had to try.”

After the second round of the trial camp, being chosen to be on the All-Air Force Women’s Softball team and placing first, Tilley was one of five women selected from the team to be on the U.S. Armed Forces team.

            “After the first year when I didn’t make the Armed Forces Team, I made it my goal for my next year,” said Tilley. “I worked extremely hard this year and gave it my all. When I found out I was selected, I was ecstatic!”

            The U.S. Armed Forces Softball team competed in the 2018 USA Softball National Women’s Open Slow Pitch Championship Aug. 24-26 in Portland, Oregon.

            While the team reached the finals and earned silver, Tilley described her favorite part of the experience was meeting and bonding with all of the different players.

Tilley will continue to work on her softball skills with hopes of making the All-Air Force Women’s Softball team again.