Winners!

Photo: Kate Starkie

IT AIN'T OVER 'TIL IT'S OVER! — The Police managed to come from behind and win the annual Fire-Police softball game. Proceeds from the game benefit R.E.A.C.H. and Sexual Assault Prevention and Response Services programs.

PARIS — After a night of wind and rain, the day cleared, the sun came out and the field dried in anticipation of the annual Fire vs. Police softball game at Gouin Field in Paris.

Benefiting R.E.A.C.H. and Sexual Assault Prevention and Response Services, which serves Androscoggin, Franklin and Oxford counties in its quest to educate and support victim-survivors of rape, child sexual abuse and other forms of sexual violence, the annual game is exciting, funny and fun for all.

The afternoon begins with a Home Run Derby which was won, this year, by Trooper Ron Turnick. Then the opening pitch was thrown by Scott Smith for the Oxford Casino which was a major sponsor of the event.

For four years, the Police Team reigned. Then, last year, the Fire Team pulled a win at the very last moment. This year, the Police were ahead right off the bat. Perhaps they became cocky and complacent, but at the bottom of the eighth, the Fire Team was ahead 16 to 10. Using a one-base-at-a-time strategy, the Police Team managed to secure the runs it needed to win, 17-16.

Fiercely friendly but always competitive, both teams draw from far and near. This year's roster included:

Fire Team

Zach Martin, Buckfield FD.

Chuck Hall, John Monahan, Hebron FD.

Beth Bowers, Colin Chase, Steve McAllister, Bill McNulty, Ernie Roy, Derrick Tuttle, Terrell White and John Yates, Norway FD.

Troy Billings, Paris FD.

John Hamel, Tri Town Rescue.

Jason Sciortino, West Paris FD.

Coaches were David W. Millett, Dennis Yates and Ron Springer, Norway FD.

Police Team

Matt Dailey, Auburn PD.

Steve Whitham, Fryeburg PD.

Adam Fillebrown, Dan Hanson, Ron Turnick and Jason Wing, State Police.

William Cook, Mexico PD.

Steve Cronce, Norway PD.

Nate Bowie, Brian Landis, Sheriff's Office.

Joe Cormier, Oxford Regional Communications Center.

Michael Dailey, Paris PD.

Gus Rodriguez, Westbrook PD.

Coaches were Mike Ward, Oxford PD and Josh Wyman, Sheriff's Office.

Umpires were Matt Corbett and Marc LeBlond.

Scorekeeper, Janet Dillingham, Commentator, Matt Boutwell.

Sponsors and supporters included: Paris Farmers Union, Agren Appliance, WOXO, BJ's, Hannaford, Smilin' Moose, SAD 17 Athletic Director Jeff Benson, PACE Ambulance, Advertiser Democrat, the Snack Shack and myriad volunteers.