Police, fire to play ball for Valor Home

Event commemorates 9/11, raises money for veterans

Lorain police and firefighters will take to the field to raise money for local veterans in need, while honoring those lost in the Sept. 11, 2001, terror attacks.

The Lorain Police vs. Lorain Fire Patriot Day Softball Game is Sept. 11 at the Pipeyard Stadium, 2480 Meister Road in Lorain.

The event is free and open to the public.

Donations and proceeds from food sales will go to the Valor Home Lorain, 221 W. 21st St. in Lorain.

Valor Home offers transitional housing for male veterans in need.

“We’re really truly trying to make this a community event, so we’d love to celebrate with our community members, let them be able to meet their first responders, put faces with names, see the more human side,” said Lorain police Sgt. Jacob Morris, community outreach coordinator and game organizer.

The city law officers and firefighters have had annual softball games dating from 1937, Morris said.

They did not promote the 2020 game due to concerns about large groups gathering last year due to the novel coronavirus pandemic, he said.

But, the 2021 event is meant to be a community gathering for residents to get to know the safety workers and for the police and firefighters to get to know each other, Morris said.

This year’s game also falls on the 20th anniversary of the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks in New York, Washington and the downed flight that crashed in Somerset County, Pa.

“This year, we are again really trying to include the public, just a great opportunity to get together on 9-11, which is an important, special day, so we honor that vow to never forget, that we made 20 years ago and be able to celebrate the community partnerships that we have with not only some of our great business but the police and the community and the firefighters and the community,” Morris said. “And while doing so, raising money for our veterans in need, supporting them how we can.”

The baseball game’s formal start is 1 p.m., but anyone interested can get there early.

Lorain police will offer free child identification cards from noon to 1 p.m.

The opening ceremony will start about 12:30 p.m. with the National Anthem and the first pitch by Mayor Jack Bradley.

There will be military recruiters there and at least one Lorain fire truck, police cruiser and armored personnel carrier.

State Rep. Joe Miller, an event sponsor, will serve as the guest umpire for the game.

Other sponsors include Mercy Health, backing the police officers’ team, and the family of Lorain businessman Jon Veard, supporting the firefighters’ team.

The team sponsorships cover the cost of jerseys and include donations to the Valor Home, Morris said.

Other sponsors include House to Home Real Estate Professionals, Lorain Councilwoman-at-Large Mary Springowski and the Lorain Lions and Rotary civic clubs.

Along with the national 9-11 anniversary and local historic connections, residents can get to know one of their city parks, Morris said.

“The Pipe Yard is truly a jewel in the city of Lorain,” he said.

Morris will guide event logistics, but his on-field position will be “left out” in the seven inning game.

He said that probably is for the better for the police and to the dismay of some firefighters.

“Luckily, we have a lot of younger guys and girls, that hopefully, will carry that torch,” Morris said with a laugh.