The Morning Journal (Lorain, OH)
Firefighters edge police in charity ball game
Fundraiser helps Valor Home veterans
The bats were hot and the gloves were ready when Lorain police officers and firefighters took to the field.
The bats were hot and the gloves were ready when Lorain police officers and firefighters took to the field on Sept. 11.
The police officers and firefighters met for The Lorain Police vs. Lorain Fire Patriot Day Softball Game at the Pipeyard Stadium, 2840 Meister Road, Lorain. It was a fundraiser softball game to help Valor Home Lorain, which provides transitional housing for veterans in need.
They also honored their fellows and the other victims lost in the terror attacks in New York and Washington, and those who died in the crash in Pennsylvania, on Sept. 11, 2001. The annual softball game is a tradition for the Lorain safety forces, who hope to expand the day to become a community event and fundraiser.
On the mound
The firefighters won with a final score of 20-13. The on-field action ranged from foul tips caught for outs, to in-the-park home runs. Firefighter Jarrod Farley pitched for the red jerseys.
“I feel great. I’ve been on (the department) for going on five years and we’ve won every time,” Farley said. “My father is a retired Lorain police officer and the fire department always whooped him too,” Farley added about his father, Ray Farley. “I’ve just been around the fire department so I joined the right side of the softball game rivalry.” Patrolman Mark Pultrone pitched for the blue jerseys. They agreed the wind was a factor in getting the ball over the plate. “Playing once a year probably doesn’t help either,” Pultrone said. “Most of us don’t play in a league. We have some guys that play in a league, but most of us don’t. We try to get some practices in, up to today, but it doesn’t always happen.” They agreed on the idea to expand the game and invite the community to watch. Farley said he loved the game, compared to games when only the players’ families attended.
“Each year it’s gotten bigger and it’s really nice to see the support from the community,” Pultrone said. “Especially with the end result being donating to the Valor Home,” Farley said. “It’s an amazing thing that we come out here and give some money to them.” The team winner takes home a trophy topped with a bronzed boot. Drinking from it after the game is a rite of passage for team rookies, Farley said.
Another benefactor
Valor Home had another benefactor as well. The Widows Sons Masonic Riders Association had a poker run in July and brought the proceeds for a presentation at the game. Their $2,000 donation will help pay for the Valor Home expansion across the street, said Sandra Wright, Valor Home program manager. She attended with Gloria Cash, senior support worker, and Jennifer Blaine, housing/income support specialist.
They were joined by veterans Steve Smith, Joe Gee and Leo Citro, Valor Home board members who all are active in local veterans affairs. The Wakeman-area chapter of the motorcycle association holds an annual fundraiser and this year found consensus donating to Valor Home. They aim to continue donating in coming years, said President Skip Kyle. “We raise funds for charity and it’s a win-win for all of us,” said rider Donald J. DiDomenico, a Navy veteran and Elyria businessman. “A few of us are vets and we see the need to help out our veterans. That’s the really nice thing about it. Charity goes in many different directions and when you can deliver to an organization you should be part of, it really means a lot to us.”
Winning heritage
The game inspired some good memories for Ricky and Jackie Kish of Avon Lake. They brought a large-print photo from Ricky Kish’s days as a Lorain firefighter, working from 1977 to 2000. He was part of the first Lorain Fire Department team to win a state championship for its play under the coach of Bruno Rositano. “I’ll tell you, we never lost in the firemen-policemen,” said Jackie Kish, who was not bashful about voicing her cheers for the red jerseys. “I can’t give them any advice,” said Ricky Kish, who played left field. “They don’t play as much as we did, when slow-pitch really was big in Lorain.” The best part: “Beating them,” Jackie Kish said. “Beating them, really. They took it real hard back then,” Ricky Kish said. They planned to give the photo to another friend attending the game.