Guns vs. Hoses softball game and fireworks show raises money for Shop with a Cop

Barry Byers Posted Charity
Image: Kids enjoy the bounce house as part of the festivities surrounding the 2nd Annual Guns vs. Hoses Softball Game between the Italy Police Department and the Italy Fire Department to help raise money for the Italy P.D.’s charitable Shop with a Cop program.

Kids enjoy the bounce house as part of the festivities surrounding the 2nd Annual Guns vs. Hoses Softball Game between the Italy Police Department and the Italy Fire Department to help raise money for the Italy P.D.’s charitable Shop with a Cop program. (Barry Byers)

Italy — The 2nd Annual Guns vs. Hoses Softball Game between the Italy Police Department, led by Police Chief/Coach Diron Hill, and the Italy Fire Department, led by Fire Chief/Coach Donald Chambers and assistant coach Sal Perales, lived up to the pre-game hype…hyperextended knees and muscle pulls, that is. Public servants sacrifice themselves everyday on the job wether it’s apprehending a suspect or fighting a house fire. However, agreeing to compete in the annual game carries it’s own degree of risks with many of the participants at that peeking over the hill stage of their athletic careers, one might say.

With that said, the cops put down their nightsticks in exchange for bats and the firemen set aside their axes and then gloved up in a joint effort to raise money for the Italy P.D.’s annual Shop With a Cop program.

The excitement began with a homerun derby culminating in a three way tie between Ellis County Constable Adam Sowder and firefighter Jackie Cate and Italy HS teacher/coach Nate Skelton. Sowder hit more over the fence in the 5-hit tie breaker to win a pair of Texas Rangers’ tickets. The Italy P.D. appreciates all the participants in the derby which helped raise $250 right off the bat. A bounce house and water slide entertained the kiddos and snow cones were available along with a fully stocked concession stand. A raffle also helped raise money. With parking marked off far from the field to keep the little ones safe, a tractor and trailer hay ride transported fans to the field.

Deputy Constable Brad Elliott handled the pitching duties for the cops while Brad Chambers and Randy Boyd split time on the mound for the firefighters.

The cops game out firing and built a 9-0 lead after the top of the fourth-inning. The firefighters tried to extinguish the cops’ momentum in the bottom half of the inning with an 8 run rally, fueled by an-over-the fence effort by Daniel Ballard, to make the score 9-8. That was as close as the firefighters could get as the cops continued their solid hitting performance sending several shots over the fence before Sowder and his teammates were done. Firefighter Bobby McBride hit one out of the park late but it was the cops who will keep the trophy for the second year in a row after their narrow 23-12 margin of victory.

Along with Sowder and Elliott, other stand out performances for the cops were turned in by Daniel Pitts at first base, slugger Rodney Guthrie in left field, Milford’s police chief and homerun hitter Carlos Phoenix at third base and Shelbee Landon in centerfield. Chief Hill did some hitting damage as did Perry Kaemmerling and Shawn Martin.

In addition to Brad Chambers, Michael Chambers, Cate, Ballard and McBride who led the firefighters, solid hitting and base running was turned in by Jenna Chambers to help spark her team and Justin Roberts was reliable at second base. Bryan Ward, Lynn Lambert and Josh Droll did their best against the long-ball assault served up by the cops while Brandon Jacinto did what he could as catcher despite watching 23 cops step on his plate. Practice paid off for Christina Ward who hit the ball into play every time she went up to bat for the firefighters.

The cops’ high-powered offense wasn’t the only thing lighting up the sky as a dazzling fireworks display entertained those who attended immediately following the game. The must-see fireworks capped off an incredible night of camaraderie and togetherness for a worthwhile cause.

Special thanks to Italy ISD for use of their facilities and to the following businesses and individuals for their sponsorship: Tri-County Appliances-Italy, Luke Jackson, Frank Jackson, Carlisle Chevrolet-Waxahachie, Boze-Mitchell-McKibbin Funeral Home-Italy, Atmos Energy-Ellis County, Uptown Cafe-Italy, Magic Mirror-Italy, Ray & Barbara Loveless-Italy, Hill County Pawn-Hillsboro, Melissa McClain-Lewis Coldwell Banker-Waxahachie, First State Bank-Italy, The Garcia Family, Eventos Silva, Brian & Karen Mathiowetz-Italy, Luke & Teri Murdock, Ray & Barbara Loveless-Italy, Magic Mirror-Italy, Rocket Ranch-Milford, Stanley Motors, Ellis County BBQ, Jennifer Chambers-Italy, Uptown Café-Italy, Walmart-Hillsboro, all our volunteers and last, but not least, umpires Italy ISD Principal Lee Joffre and Robert Hodge.

Both departments wish to thank the entire community for helping support the Shop With a Cop program that helps provide a special Christmas for deserving students that attend Stafford Elementary in Italy. We hope to see you all again next year!

Homerun Derby Participants:

  • Brad Elliott
  • Justin Buchanan
  • Rodney Guthrie
  • Michael Chambers
  • Chase Hamilton
  • Reece Marshall
  • Bobby McBride
  • Shawn Martin
  • Josh Droll
  • Donald Hearron
  • Bryan Ward
  • Daniel Pitts
  • Diron Hill
  • Jackie Cate
  • Daniel Ballard
  • Darrin Lusk
  • Perry Kaemmerling
  • Adam C. Sowder
  • Neil Powers
  • Jacob Moore
  • Jimmy Moore
  • Nate Skelton
  • Justin Watkins
  • Lee Joffre
  • Larry Brown

More images!