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Bust out the peanuts and crackerjacks! Mountain Home is going to play ball!
A friendly baseball game has officially been set for Saturday evening as Mountain Home’s police and fire departments take to the field to finally end the debate of who’s the best department while raising money for two separate charities.
The game, which will be played at McClain Park’s Freedom Field across from Hackler Intermediate School on West Road, will kick off at 7 p.m. Costs for the event will run $4 for adults and $2 for seniors. Children can attend for free.
Proceeds from the game will be split between Grandma’s House Child Advocacy Center and the Roberson family medical fund.
“There are two charities we got going on,” said Mountain Home firefighter Tommy Feliccia. “The police department picked Grandma’s House, which is for child abuse victims and their families. They deal with more of that stuff than we do. We picked the Roberson family medical fund.”
Saturday’s friendly competition between first responders is the brainchild of Mountain Home police officer Jared Medina, who thought of the idea while testing for Corporal.
Medina’s idea was a hit, and both departments quickly formed teams to play against each other, with each team agreeing that the game should be used to raise money for charities in town. Both teams have around 14-15 members and have held around three practices to prepare for the game.
With charities in mind, the MHPD honed in on Grandma’s House Child Advocacy Center, which serves as a safe place for children who are abuse victims. Grandma’s House also helps families find support while facing the challenges of abuse, criminal investigations, and healing.
Grandma’s House was founded in 2010 and offers free forensic interviews, medical exams, therapy, and step-by-step guidance through the healing process.
For their charity, MHFD decided to go with the Roberson family medical fund in the hopes of helping Landy Roberson with his upcoming heart surgery.
Roberson is a former physics and chemistry teacher at Mountain Home High School who underwent heart transplant surgery in December of last year. Roberson is now returning to Little Rock for another surgery after complications arose with his transplant.
Members from the Roberson family and Grandma’s House will throw the first pitch during Saturday night’s game.
“He’s waiting on a second heart transplant, so we’re trying to raise money for that family,” Feliccia said.
Saturday’s festivities will start with a car show by the Cruisers of Mountain Home. The show will be across the street at Hackler Intermediate School. For those who would like to join the car show, Feliccia said the cars would be parked a good distance away to avoid damage from any fly balls.
Both Nome’s 2 Bros. Tacos and Poppy’s Polar Ice will be at the game to provide a meal to fans that come out.
The game will also feature a 50/50 raffle to help raise money for both charities. The raffle is being sponsored by Leahan Sollis and Alan Sollis with Central Heating and Cooling.
Fans can also expect to see some familiar faces on the field Saturday evening, with Dylan Connolly serving as the game’s announcer and Mountain Home Mayor Hillrey Adams serving as umpire. Adams will be assisted by David Drewery, who will serve as the game’s second umpire.
Mountain Home High School’s athletics department members will be at the game to work the admission stands and the scoreboard.
Feliccia said seating was limited and that baseball fans should bring their lawn chairs just in case. Fans might also want to bring a poncho or an umbrella in case of a late evening shower. Temperatures are expected to be cooler than last weekend, with temperatures dropping in time for the 7 p.m. game.
