By Suzanne Laurent
slaurent@derrynews.com
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LONDONDERRY — One of the highlights of the Old Home Day parade on Saturday morning is when the winners of the police vs. fire softball game from the night before wave the trophy to the cheering crowd.
It's been rumored when the Police Department wins, a fire call is put in during the end of the game, forcing the Fire Department to forfeit the game each year.
"We were pretty close last year," fire Chief Kevin MacCaffrie said. "We were leading, but they stopped the game to make a Lions Club check presentation and we never got our momentum back."
So, the men in blue were again the winners.
"There are more of them," MacCaffrie said, "and we're all getting older. We hung up our spikes and gloves a long time ago."
Police Chief Bill Hart said his team brings a lot of youth and vitality to the plate.
"The fire department brings a grizzled, experienced, veteran team to the diamond," Hart said. "The police department brings a young, vigorous and, I must say, very good looking team to the diamond."
Kathy Wagner, Old Home Day chairman, said when the fire department hires new personnel with the SAFER grant, they should get some "young studs so they'll be sure to win next year."
"It might be a fairer game if the police chief played like I do," MacCaffrie said. "This year, we're coming loaded for bear."
But Hart is not worried.
"We expect the usual result as our bats will be hot and I doubt that they, being the fire department, will be able to douse the flames," he said.
Before the game, the Lions Club will serve up traditional baseball fare — hot dogs, hamburgers, cheeseburgers, soda, water and chips. All proceeds from the food concession sales will benefit the Lions Camp Pride in Durham, which serves children and adults with special needs.
"We're offering fans to come by and enjoy dinner while they watch the game," Lion Bob Steenson said. "We'll also have our own Jerry Remy — Jerry Gulezian — announcing the game."
The game begins at 6 p.m. on the Matthew Thornton Elementary School field. There is plenty of parking behind the school.
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