Friends and family of softball players have fun at Lakeview Fields in Auburn Sunday afternoon during the Heroes and Hitters tournament that featured teams from both Lewiston and Auburn fire and police departments as well as one from the Army. In the background, the first game between the Auburn and Lewiston fire departments ends.
The Lewiston Fire Department took home the championship win and bragging rights for the first Heroes and Hitters Softball Tournament Sunday afternoon.
Lewiston and Auburn Fire and Police departments, along with local U.S. Army members, squared off against each other in an eight-game tournament of men’s slow-pitch softball.
Sgt. 1st Class Richard Hangins, in partnership with the Auburn Recreation Department and the Maine Sports Commission, put on the event to give local heroes and their families a chance to get together for a fun summer event.
After a grueling afternoon in the hot sun, Auburn and Lewiston fire departments went head-to-head in the final game. In a bout of “friendly” competition, Lewiston took the win with a score of 18-12, after breaking second base.
Lewiston Fire went undefeated for the whole day, too.
Hangins said he worked with Sheila Brennan Nee, strategic director of the Maine Sports Commission, and Sabrina Best, director of the Recreation Department, to brainstorm ideas.
He said they decided to hold a softball tournament and it took off a lot faster than he expected.
“We were thinking it would be next year, but we were able to throw it this year,” he said. “We’re hoping to grow it next year. We had five teams this year, but we could have a lot more.
“The different departments were receptive to it, and the comments for the most part have been good,” Hangins added.
Best said they’re hoping to make next year’s event a fundraiser, where proceeds would go to the winning team’s local charity of choice.
She said the event worked out well, and it was a good way to wrap up the Summer Fest weekend.
“It’s all about having fun, getting out and being active,” Best said. “And next year is going to be bigger and better.”
Part of the reason they chose men’s slow pitch is because in Auburn alone, there are 30 teams across five age groups.
“It’s really popular in this area,” she said. “Quite a few of these guys play in the local leagues.”
Lewiston firefighter Andrew Simpson watches his hit sail into the air for a double during Sunday’s game against the Auburn fire department at Lakeview Fields in Auburn, helping his team win the game.
Friends and family of softball players have fun at Lakeview Fields in Auburn Sunday afternoon during the Heroes & Hitters tournament that featured teams from both Lewiston and Auburn fire and police departments as well as one from the Army. In the background, Auburn vs Lewiston fire departments rages on.
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