Cody Englander
Staff Writer
The Boots and the Badges took to Sharpe Field Sunday afternoon with the mission to protect and serve — and to beat the other team.
The duel consisted of the yellow-shirted Community Safety Officers (the Badges) facing the Chautauqua Volunteer Fire Department (the Boots). Last year, the annual game raised funds for CVFD’s life packs; this year, the money raised will offset the costs of CVFD’s new Compressed Air Foam System — a more effective method of fire suppression than just water.
The Badges stepped up to bat first, setting the tone for the game immediately with a home run.
After another run, the Boots were up to bat. Their efforts clodded along, proving that softball talent wasn’t part of the screening process for the volunteer firefighting position. The Boots first series at-bat consisted of two strikeouts, a walk and finally a hit — though it was a pop-out to mid-field.
Although the Badges looked stronger, they also entered the game with a small roster. They relied on the talents of the Fish Head’s pitcher Will Chubb. In the second inning, Chubb hit a triple, which brought home two runners for a 5–0 score.
At the bottom of the second, pitching became an issue for the Badges, and the Boots were able to rack up six runs. With pitching pains, the bottom of the third saw Chubb take to the pitcher’s mound.
The Badges quickly reclaimed their lead in the third with three runs. With Chubb in, the Boots stood little chance at overcoming the 8–6 deficit.
In the top of the fourth inning, the Badges ran in runs faster than they could scan gate passes. They played with a fire in their eyes, which the Boots had an unusually tough time extinguishing.
In an unconventional move, only the Badges hit in a half-fifth inning with a twist. The Fire Department set up challenges that consisted of carrying a weighted bag to first base, traversing a cone maze to second, dragging a fire hose from second to third and bringing a mannequin dummy home.
The extra inning saw the Badges bring home three runners, though the game was already decided, with a final score of 18–11.
“It was fun for the community to see us doing things other than telling them not to do stuff,” said Badges pitcher-turned-outfielder Christian Sardi. “Last year, we lost pretty badly. This year it was nice to draw some blood on the volunteer fire department.”
