Guns and Hoses Softball game will have twice the meaning in its second year back

Guns and Hoses 2018 game was the first one played since the 90s

In 2018 the Masonic Lodge decided to bring back a long dead tradition between the Mountain Home Fire Department and local law enforcement.

The Guns and Hoses softball game had not been played since the 90’s until the lodge decided to get involved and make it happen. Previously the game had been a yearly event with an afternoon of friendly competition between the first responders and all agencies involved were happy to get it going again.

Last year’s event had a good turn out for its first year back with about 150 family members and friends turning out to watch the game. It was already bound to grow in attendance and participation this year after the lopsided victory saw the MHFD beat the combined team of the Mountain Home Police Department and the Elmore County Sheriff’s Office 25 to 15. Rumors have been swirling throughout the summer that law enforcement was coming for the trophy after getting serious and putting together quite the team. It didn’t take long when the two groups got together to hear some good natured ribbing from the firemen towards their fellow first responders.

It was all in good nature though and it was a fireman who stepped up with the idea of turning the game into something bigger then bragging rights after the law enforcement family saw a devastating crash injure one of their own earlier this month.

Sgt. Brian Fields works at the Elmore County Jail and in is free time is an active sportsman who loves the outdoors and riding motorcycles. On Aug. 7, he was enjoying a ride on his motorcycle when he was involved in a devastating crash that saw him hospitalized. Numerous surgeries later and the loss of a limb ,Fields is at home recovering from his injuries, though Sheriff Mike Hollinshead commented he has a long road before him.

When MHFD Lieutenant Chris Corbus heard of the accident he approached his teammates and the Masonic Lodge about turning the game into a fundraiser to benefit Fields and his family. Everyone quickly agreed and the game instantly became a hot topic on local social media pages.

The lodge is expecting to see over 600 spectators to show up for this years game, which takes place on Sept. 13 at 6 p.m. at Optimist Park and plan to cook up 300 hotdogs and 300 hamburgers to sell. There will also be a ‘fill the boot campaign’ with a pair of firemen’s boots placed strategically and they will also be passed through the crowd sometime around the fourth inning.

Fields is a Mountain Home High School graduate who played baseball while a Tiger and went on to play professionally. He eventually returned to Mountain Home where his parents still live after his father retired from the United States Air Force. Fields has a five year old daughter and a girlfriend that have been by his side throughout this painful ordeal. According to his co-workers Fields is a missed colleague who always keeps the job fun with his light hearted nature. They all agreed that his attitude through all of this has comforted all involved.

“We’re positive, because he’s positive.”

His family has been overwhelmed by the support of the community since the accident.

As far as the game and the rivalry between agencies goes and its extra significance this year, both the Sheriff and the Fire Chief echoed the same sentiments: “This is a small community, we depend on each other,” Sheriff Hollinshead said. “Truly a community that works together and has support of each other,” said Chief Mark Moore. Those words could be a description of the community as a whole and not just the first responder family. Time and time again it has been shown that when there is a need, this community steps up and helps their own.