Behind the Badge
Kids played with other kids having met each other for the first time.
Moms and dads chatted with other parents they didn’t know a day earlier.
Dogs and burgers were fired up on an industrial-sized grill.
At the center of it all, a softball game was played and a new tradition started.
The Orange Police Department softball team huddles at the start of the inaugural softball game against the City of Orange Fire Department.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge
The Orange Police Department met the Orange Fire Department on the softball diamond at Cerro Villa Middle School on April 7 for the first ever softball game between the agencies.
More than 250 supporters, all police and fire personnel and their families, turned out for the event, which was meant as a day to bring families together as much as it was about softball.
“We have such a great relationship with our fire department and this just strengthens the bond,” Orange Police Chief Tom Kisela said. “It’s all about having fun and developing camaraderie. It just makes for a stronger, healthier organization.”
Members of the Orange City Fire Department softball team huddle at the start of the game against the Orange Police Department.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge
The idea for the annual softball game between the agencies emanated from the fire department, when firefighter Katie Sullivan approached John Mancini, president of the City of Orange Police Association, with the idea.
“We thought it was a great excuse to get everybody together and come out here and really blend our public safety families,” Mancini said. “Other than on-duty stuff, there is not a whole lot of blending between the police department and fire department. Even though we are great friends, this is a great opportunity for our families to get the same exposure we get every day.”
Orange Police Department runner Cpl. Danny Contreras rounds third base on his way to score at home during a triple RBI during a softball game against the Orange Fire Department.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge
As for the game itself, the police broke out the bats right away, sending 14 batters to the plate and scoring 10 runs in the first inning.
The firefighters came back with six runs in the bottom of the first and it appeared as though the contest would be competitive.
But the police never let up, scoring in every inning but one and cruising to a 27-12 victory.
Officer Kyle Haasch of the Orange Police Department hits a double during a softball game against the Orange Fire Department.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge
Corporal JD Gray belted a grand slam for the police and Officer John Jensen hit a home run.
After giving up six in the first, Lt. Ray Winick, pitcher for the police, settled down and allowed just six more runs the rest of the way.
“They set the bar pretty high,” Deputy Fire Marshal Casey Fieldhouse said. “We only had one practice so I think by next year, we’ll know where we have to be at.”
Orange City Fire Department Volunteer Reserve Fire Inspector Dylan Eggleston, left, with Orange City Fire Department Engineer Miguel Gonzalez, grill hamburgers and hot dogs for the inaugural softball game at Cerro Villa Middle School.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge
The trophy, which belongs to the Orange Police Department until the teams match up again in 2020, is a gold-colored cup filled with plastic oranges, which are glued together.
What they lacked in the field, the fire department more than made up for in other ways.
The firefighters supplied the dogs and burgers and the industrial-sized grill on which to cook them. They also supplied the soft drinks, tents, and a bounce house for kids.
The Orange Police Department softball team (in orange sleeves) and the Orange City Fire Department team gather with Orange Police Chief Thomas Kisela and Orange Fire Chief Doug Fackiner before the start of the inaugural softball game at Cerro Villa Middle School.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge
Kisela and Orange City Fire Chief Doug Fackiner backed the idea for annual softball game from the start.
“We have been friends since we got hired together in the late ’80s and have grown up in the police department and fire department together,” Fackiner said. “We know the importance of the camaraderie between police and fire. We help them. They help us. We’re hoping this continues on for many, many years.”
Orange Fire Chief Doug Fackiner and Orange Police Chief Thomas Kisela get together at the start of the softball game.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge
Cpl. Jeff Gray of the Orange Police Department hits a double, advancing a runner to third, during a softball game against the Orange City Fire Department.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge
Orange Police Department shortstop Officer Andrew Evans stops the ball before throwing it to second base during a softball game against the Orange City Fire Department.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge
Orange Police Department shortstop Officer Andrew Evans stops the ball before throwing it to second base during a softball game against the Orange City Fire Department.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge
Lt. Ray Winick of the Orange Police Department swings during a softball game against the Orange City Fire Department.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge
Firefighter Joe Mathias of the Orange City Fire Department pitches against the Orange Police Department during a softball game at Cerro Villa Middle School.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge
Orange Police Officer Jude King kneels down to shoot video of the softball game.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge
The softball field at Cerro Villa Middle School during the police vs. fire inaugural softball game.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge
Det. Tyler Ray of the Orange Police Department hits a single RBI to left field during a softball game against the Orange City Fire Department.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge
Firefighter Katey Sullivan of the Orange City Fire Department hits a single RBI against the Orange Police Department.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge
Officer Jensen of the Orange Police Department throws to first during a softball game against Orange City Fire Department.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge
Orange Police Officer Andrew Evans swings at the ball during a softball game against the Orange City Fire Department.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge
Lt. Ray Winick of the Orange Police Department pitches against the Orange City Fire Department during a softball game.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge
Orange Police Officer Simon Connette hits a single RBI during a softball game against city firefighters.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge
Firefighter Joe Mathias of the Orange City Fire Department pitches against Orange Police Department during the softball game at Cerro Villa Middle School.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge
Orange Police Det. Tyler Ray hits a single to left field during a softball game against Orange City Fire Department.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge
Officer Andrew Evans, shortstop for the Orange City Fire Department team, stops a line drive, but not in time to get the Orange Police Department runner to second base during a softball game at Cerro Villa Middle School.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge
Orange Police Officer Jensen hits a triple RBI over the left fielders head during a softball game against the Orange City Fire Department.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge
Orange Police Officer Jensen safely makes it to second base as the Orange City Fire Department tries to make the out.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge
The softball field at Cerro Villa Middle School during the Orange City Fire Department vs Orange Police Department inaugural softball game with the cities of Villa Park and Orange behind them.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge
Orange Police Officer Simon Connette runs to the ball during a softball game against the city’s fire department.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge
Orange Police Officer Simon Connette makes it safely to first on a single RBI during a softball game against the city’s fire department.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge
The Orange City Fire Department makes the out at second base during a softball game against the Orange Police Department.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge
Players from the Orange Police Department softball team hold the trophy for the inaugural softball game after defeating the Orange City Fire Department 27-12 at Cerro Villa Middle School.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge
