GRIDLEY, CA (MPG) - The rain cleared up long enough for firefighters and Little League coaches to hit the diamond and play the game the community kids had been longing for months. For one night the bond of brotherhood reached the pinnacle point in a game of slow pitch softball. Due to various reasons, this year’s matchup of the Guns n’ Hoses turned into hoses versus hoses, in what would become one of many highlights of the evening.

The crowds began to fill the bleachers of the majors baseball field at about 5:40pm last Friday, May 17th, as the large group of firefighters were divided into two separate teams by fireman Dustin Mattos.

Two booths were set up, one from Gridley Little League with raffle prizes, and another from A+ Custom Vinyl out of Live Oak. Meals By Melissa set up her food cart and served nachos, hot dogs, chips, and drinks.

Community members of all ages came out to cheer on the firefighters. With every magnificent catch in the outfield, diving attempts in the infield, and crushed softballs over the fence for home runs, the crowds cheered and applauded with pure delight.

The men on each team battled hard all evening where the score was tied 16-16 after seven complete innings, forcing extra innings. In the top half of the 8th inning the visiting team scored five runs to put the game away and walked off the field with the victory, 21-16.

The crowds continued to gather after the firefighter’s game to watch twelve contestants compete in the home run derby. Each contestant was given five swings or seven pitches to see who could hit the most over the fence.

Javier Solis led off the contest with two home runs in five swings and set the tone for the next few batters. Andy McClellan took the lead a few batters later when he hit three home runs over the fence. A late contestant, Cody Cloyd, stepped up to the plate and delivered three blasts over the fence to tie McClellan for the lead. After a few rounds of a one pitch playoff, where each contestant got one opportunity to hit a home run, Cloyd walked away victorious as this years Red Suspenders Home Run Derby champion.

Cloyd walked away with a personalized Home Run Derby Champion softball and some cash in hand.

Following the derby the Little League coaches took to the field. Visiting Biggs coaches stepped to the box first and went three up, three down. Gridley coaches got a hit or two in the bottom of the first, but failed to score as well. In the top of the second the Biggs coaches got on the board first with a couple of runs. Gridley answered back with a few of their own to go up 3-2.

In the top of the third inning Biggs blew the game wide open and took a 9-3 lead. But Gridley coaches kept chipping away to keep the game close. Late in the game, Bryan Clark blasted a two-run home run to left field to tie the game up at 16-16.

Heading into the top of the seventh inning, the Gridley coaches led by a score of 18-16. Biggs coaches got the first two batters on base with zero outs. A hard ground ball hit between third base and shortstop looked to be promising for a run or two when the shortstop dove to his right and snagged the ball. From his knees he threw the runner out at third base for the force out and first out of the inning. A pop fly to left field secured the second out of the inning. A hard ground ball stopped by third baseman, John McClellan, which he took himself for the force out, secured the 18-16 win for the Gridley Little League coaches.

In the end, it wasn’t a matter of who won or who did what on the field. Guns n’ Hoses (or Hoses n’ Hoses this year), Coaches n Coaches, was an opportunity for a few hours once a year for law enforcement and first responders to take some time off and enjoy the company of friends, family, and community members.

For a few hours, Little Leaguers could watch their coaches play the difficult game on the diamond, showing the truth that anyone who steps onto the field is vulnerable to a mistake, or have the ability to be triumphant in the big moment with a big hit or be defensive play.