Submitted
The annual First Responders Softball tournament was completed on Sunday, September 29, 2024. This annual tournament brings together local first responders to compete and have fun while raising funds for worthy causes. Funds raised are donated to the Firemen Relief Association (FRA) and typically are used to support the Charlie Dorzweiler emergency response trailer. This trailer is equipped with emergency response items for first responders.
This is the 11th year of this tournament which is organized by Travis Hageman, Hays Fire Department Firefighter. The tournament was held at the Dusty Glassman ballfield with umpire, Kevin Randa.
Participating teams for the 2024 tournament included a team from the Hays Fire Department and Ellis County Fire Department, a team from the Kansas Highway Patrol, and a team from the Ellis County Emergency Medical Services. In past years the Hays Police Department has a team; however, on September 28th they provided notification that they would be unable to partake due to lack of participants.
The teams conducted a round robin bracket with the Kansas Highway Patrol as the victors. The Fire Department followed in second place, Emergency Medical Services in third place. The games were as follows: Fire Department, 9, vs. KHP, 10; Fire Department, 18, vs. EMS, 4. KHP, 12, vs. EMS, 2.