Firefighters top the cops in Iqaluit charity softball game
First responders raise money for Kamatsiaqtut Help Line in Iqaluit
RCMP acting commanding officer Supt. Kent Pike prepares to sprint to first base after hitting a line drive that brought two fellow players past home plate. (Photo by Daron Letts)
The Iqaluit fire department extinguished any hopes RCMP V Division had of locking up bragging rights from their annual charity softball showdown Monday with the firefighters winning 19-15.
“It’s always nice to get together with the cops and get out under the sun,” said volunteer firefighter Isaiah McKeown-Philip.
RCMP Const. Valeria Dinca sprints toward first base in the first inning of Monday’s charity softball game against the Iqaluit fire department. A triple by officer Shelby Miller brought her home. (Photo by Daron Letts)
A westerly wind gusting to 40 km/h with a high of 18 C made for an exciting, sunny day of softball. Pop flies seemed to hang in mid-air above the diamond during seven innings of play.
The firefighters’ batting order began with the one-two punch of Iqaluit Firefighters Association president Connor Ogg followed by McKeown-Philip, the vice-president.
Ogg singled and was brought home by McKeown-Philip again and again in the early innings, maintaining the firefighters’ lead. Together, Ogg and McKeown-Philip earned a total of seven runs batted in.
Deputy fire Chief Jason Fournier served as umpire while former volunteer firefighter Dana Gillingham updated the scoreboard.
Former volunteer firefighter Dana Gillingham adds a run to the RCMP’s score after the sixth inning. (Photo by Daron Letts)
On the RCMP side, base hits by constables Valeria Dinca and Spence Gill midway through the game were not enough to mount a comeback.
Despite the RCMP’s loss, it was mission accomplished for their acting commanding officer.
“It achieved what we wanted to achieve,” said RCMP Supt. Kent Pike. “We came together and raised money for a good cause.”
RCMP officers staffed a free barbecue that ran throughout the early afternoon. About three dozen spectators watched the game from the bleachers, while others lined up for hamburgers and hot dogs.
The Iqaluit Firefighters Association donated $150 in addition to the $350 they collected at a bake sale behind the firefighters’ dugout, Ogg said.
All the money raised will be donated to the Kamatsiaqtut Help Line, which provides support for people who need someone to talk to, 24 hours a day, every day, at 867-979-3333.
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