MOUNT VERNON — It was one of those games where no one really cared about the numbers on the scoreboard.
The real winners of the First Responders Go Bananas charity softball game, pitting the Mount Vernon Fire and Police departments were John Cox, a Mount Vernon police officer, and Michelle Kramp, the wife of a Mount Vernon firefighter, Lt. Brayden Kramp — both battling serious medical issues.
The game, a fundraiser played at the Mount High School baseball diamond, began when the Air Evac Life Team based out of St. Louisville and landed their chopper carrying the official game ball.
“They (the game’s organizers, Mount Vernon Police officer Ben Fike) asked us if we would take care of handling the delivery of the (game) ball,” explained Line Pilot Christopher Jenson. “We were more than happy to help out with something like this; we do all kinds of PR events to help out the local community.”
Mount Vernon Police Chief Robert (Kitt) Morgan explained the genesis of the event.
“A couple of our folks are going through some pretty serious medical stuff right now and our families decided to put together a benefit for them,” Morgan said.
While the teams wore t-shirts in police blue and firefighter red, Morgan made it clear that the event was organized independently from the city.
“This is not a police department or fire department sanctioned event,” the chief explained.
Fike said that he drew inspiration from the Savannah Bananas (baseball’s equivalent of the Harlem Globetrotters).
“I’ve always been a big fan, so they inspired the rules. Obviously the fundraiser is for my best Friend, John Cox and Michelle,” Fike explained. “We named the game, ‘First Responders Go Bananas.’
One aspect of the event that brought participation from the capacity crowd gathered at the Mount Vernon High School Baseball complex was the auction.
“We couldn’t think of a fun name, so we just called it an auction,” Fike said.
Fun was, without question, the name of the game, with auction items such as players being forced to play seated in chairs, tethered together, running a slalom around the bases, and batting while wearing glasses that simulate drunk driving.
One of the more noticeable players was Mike Wheeler, who, despite having very limited experience, stood in the dugout and even took a turn at bat wearing stilts.
“That’s it. I started about a month ago and have spent the last three weeks practicing,” he said.
What would prompt the Mount Vernon Auxiliary Police Officer to participate in the game, standing nine feet tall?
“I wanted to be supportive and give everyone something to remember about the game,” he said.
Standing behind the first base dugout, Mount Vernon High School Athletic Director Justin Sanford explained the school’s involvement.
“Mount Vernon Patrolman Ben Fike and his wife, Haley, reached out to us and wanted to know if we would be interested in being the host facility for this event,” Sanford said. “Originally we were talking about the softball field, but we are having some work done over there so we moved it here and it has worked out well.”
Sanford emphasized the community support.
“Greg Burgess is our baseball announcer and we have a couple of local umpire volunteers, Doug Wilson and Tom Clinedinst,” the AD said.
Sanford pointed out that Kramp is a staff member and “Michelle is a reading specialist, so she is an employee of the district.”
Looking at the stands, full of spectators and fans stretching down both baselines, the AD was impressed with the support.
“Obviously the police and fire are a huge family of themselves, but just the community support for all of these folks to come out for these two great causes,” he said.
Assistant Fire Chief Nathan Hines explained the importance of the event.
“This whole evening is about supporting the families of the people we work with and raising money and awareness,” Hines said.
Michelle Kramp was overwhelmed by the support.
“We are very blessed to be in this community; I grew up here. Seeing this community come together like this, it is truly a blessing,” Kramp said.
Across the diamond, John Cox said that there is a date in March that is etched in his memory:
“I got my diagnosis,” he said.
Donations may be made through the Mount Vernon Police Chaplains organization.
Photos by Dan Werner
