The Sri Lanka Air Force Baseball team managed to clinch their maiden Baseball triumph, while the Army Women managed to defend their title in the Defence Services Baseball Tournament conducted as a part of the 13th Defence Services Games 2024/2025, recently held at the Japan–Sri Lanka Friendship Baseball Ground, Diyagama.
Men’s Tournament
In the Final, Air Force battled against the Army outfit, and it was a thriller that definitely had the heat of a final in the real sense of the word. It was a low-scoring game as the pitchers from both teams displayed exceptional performance with accurate throws, along with better ground fielding.
Finally, the Airmen managed to edge out the soldiers with a slender margin of 4 – 2. The host Navy had to be satisfied with the third position.
The champion side was trained under the guidance of the National Head Coach Damith Nadeera.
Special Awards of the Men’s Tournament
- Most Valuable Player: Corporal W.D Sandaruwan (SLAF)
- Best Pitcher: Leading Aircraftman M.K.S.C Meegoda (SLAF)
- Best Batter: Corporal W.C Indunil (SLAF)
Women’s Tournament
The Women’s title was bagged by the formidable Sri Lanka Army outfit by defeating the Sri Lanka Air Force side in the Final. Notably, this was only the second time in Defence Services Games history that a Women’s Baseball tournament was held.
The Army team, which consisted of many national players, dominated the game, and after four innings the game was finished. By that time, they had managed to steamroll the Airwomen by 30 – 07 points.
The Army side was captained by the Sri Lanka National Skipper H. Niluka Priyadarshani, and the team had trained under the watchful eyes of the veteran Coach Ishara Chathuranga.
The Baseball Championships were hosted by the Sri Lanka Navy, and have showcased some exciting performances, highlighting the growing competitiveness and technical advancement in tri-services Baseball.
The occasion was graced by the Director General Service of the SL Navy, Rear Admiral G. S. D. Weerasuriya as the Chief Guest and also attended by the Chairman of SLAF Baseball, Air Commodore Chandimal Hettiarachchi, and the Director of Sports for the Sri Lanka Army, Brigadier K. A. D. C. R. Kannangara. Apart from them, the presentation ceremony was graced by the presence of several other distinguished guests and senior Tri-Force officials.
Special Awards of the Women’s Tournament
- Best Fielder: Corporal S. A. H. Dilangi (SL Air Force)
- Most Valuable Player: Sergeant W. N. Samanmalee (SL Army)
- Best Pitcher: Lance Corporal H. M. G. G. Bandara (SL Army)
- Best Batter: Staff Sergeant K. M. S. S. Wimalaratne (SL Army)
