One might assume that in Europe no other sporting event would take precedence over World Cup Soccer, but girls softball trumped international football, at least for some very proud and enthusiastic parents, as the 11- and 12-year-old Stuttgart All Stars battled against the Ramstein All Stars at Ramstein Air Base, Germany, June 26, 2010.

Thirteen young girls were selected from Stuttgart Child and Youth Services (CYS) sports teams to form the Stuttgart All Stars and compete in the European Little League, representing Stuttgart. The daughters of servicemembers, contractors, interagency partners and Department of Defense civilians underwent two separate tryouts to form the team.

"CYS helped ensure the girls met the minimal playing requirement to qualify to participate in the tournament and they provided them an opportunity to learn the basics," said Coach Alice Lamb, a veteran of the sport who played softball throughout her school years and has played and coached at various levels for more than 20 years. "I am very proud of this team. They were only formed about a month ago but they came together and fought the good fight."

Lamb, a full-time mother and staff sergeant in the U.S. Army Reserves, coached the "Dodgers," a CYS girl's softball team, during the last season.

"My girls only lost two of the 14 games they played this season. Five players from my team moved up to play on the All Stars so we had almost 50 percent of the team who had worked together already."

The other players came from Stuttgart's "Orioles" and "Angels" teams. A few of the girls had played in CYS's Junior's League but did not meet Little League requirements to play at their Junior level tourney so they were permitted to "play down" at the 11-12-year-old category.

U.S. Air Force Lieutenant Colonel Robert Hill, Chief of the European Command Missile Warning/Shared Early Warning and Joint Nuclear Operations Center and Gregg Grant, Stuttgart community volunteer, served as assistant coaches.

Stuttgart lost to Ramstein in the best of three tourney but the intent of the experience was met.

"We wanted to give the girls the opportunity to play at the next level," says Technical Sergeant Joseph H. Marvin, European Command Force Protection non-commissioned officer in charge. Marvin has coached girl's softball for three years in the Stuttgart area and coached the Stuttgart All Stars for the last two years; he has also been a volunteer sports coach for 10 years.

"This tourney gave them a taste of what the big leagues are like and we hope that we have motivated them toward year-round participation."

Had the Stuttgart All Stars won the tourney, they would have qualified for the next level of play in Italy. Ultimately, victorious teams participate in the Little League World Series later this year in Pennsylvania.

Marvin is pushing to expand the Ambassadors Program - a Stuttgart Little League program, started by Marvin last year, which allows the girls to work on skills and develop themselves during the off season.

"Right now we are just in the development stage so we only practice on Sunday at 1400 hours on Huskey Field on Patch. Once we get more girls involved I'll like to have it two to three times a week."

According to Marvin, recruitment occurs at all levels; high schoolers with experience help mentor and assist the younger new players. The goal would be to form a truly competitive team capable of fighting their way to international competition.

Players are held to National Little League girls' softball standards and all that is required to participate is a permission slip from parents and a medical release form.

"The expense to the family is minimal - a glove, cleats and a bit of time covers it," said Marvin.

Any girl age 10 to high school age can participate. Parents that want to help with drills or to learn the game are also welcome.

For more information on the Ambassador's program, contact Joe Marvin at Joseph.marvin@eucom.mil.