QUINCY — The reputations of Quincy’s first responders will be on the line Saturday at the community’s first Guns & Hoses softball game. 

“It’s a friendly competition between us and them, and it’s a way (of) getting us more out in the community,” said Quincy Police Sgt. Joe Westby, who arranged the game with his Grant County Fire District 3 counterpart Ross Massey. “Reminding our community that we’re here for them … and (let them) get to know us on a personal level instead of just when we show up in their time of need.” 

The game will take place at Quincy’s Lauzier Park, and the two agencies will team up to offer a free barbecue for the folks who come out, Westby said. The game will be umpired by a neutral party, Columbia EMS. 

Firefighters in Quincy had been looking for a while for a way to connect with the community at large, Massey said. 

“Since 2020 that sense of community has kind of fallen down a little bit,” he said. “So it'd be nice to get families outside, create a fun, family-friendly environment where people can come hang out and watch a little bit of competition between the local cops and firefighters.” 

Both teams are comprised of a mix of experienced players and novices, Massey and Westby said. 

“We have quite a few people that play baseball, and they can swing a big stick pretty good,” Massey said. 

“We’ve got a blend,” Westby said. “We have some experienced players, and we have some players that have never picked up a bat before. The fire department's been practicing a little bit more than they should, but we have more important things to do, so it's really hard to get together for a practice. You know, when they sleep at the station and they're busy saving foundations, it's easy to make time for practice whereas we're constantly call-to-call-to-call.” 

Besides letting rivals square off, the game will serve to raise funds for Serve Quincy Valley, an outreach of the local ministerial association that responds to people in need, especially those who have been in crisis situations. The director of Serve Quincy Valley, Pastor Daniel Castillo, also serves as chaplain for the QPD. 

“Both the police department and the fire department have used Serve Quincy Valley for families who have had catastrophic times with an incident at their home,” Westby said. “They provide clothing, furniture, food, stuff like that.” 

There will be an open donation pot at the field, Westby said, as well as ways to donate online. There is no charge to watch the game, he added. 

The game should be a well-matched one, Westby said. 

“I don’t want to reveal my cards, but I feel we’ll put up a good fight,” he said. 

Guns & Hoses 
May 10, 3 p.m. 

Lauzier Park
1600 13th Ave., Quincy 

Free admission 

Donations accepted for
Serve Quincy Valley