The Newport Fire Department scored seven runs in the top of the seventh inning to come back and beat the Newport Police Department 10-6 on Friday night at Cardines Field, in a charity game held on the 25th anniversary of the Sept. 11 attacks.
Police led 6-3 after four innings before the fire department’s late rally.
Proceeds from the game, a silent auction, a 50/50 raffle and T-shirt sales go toward the Barker Memorial Park First Responder Memorial, a planned monument in Newport honoring police officers and firefighters killed in the line of duty. The two departments describe it as a place for quiet reflection and remembrance.
The evening opened at 6 p.m. with colors presented by the Newport police and fire departments and the Rogers High School JROTC, and the national anthem sung by Kristina Decotis. A moment of silence honored the victims of Sept. 11 along with retired Fire Deputy Chief David Egan, who died recently, and four Newport first responders killed in the line of duty: Officer Eugene Barker, Patrolman Robert Scott, Fire Capt. John Malloy and Assistant Inspector Patrick Clune.
Police Chief Ryan Duffy and Fire Chief Harp Donnelly threw out first pitches. Red Sox public address announcer Todd Angilly appeared as a special guest.
Between innings, children ran the bases with officers and firefighters, watched a uniform relay and competed in a donut eating contest.
More than 50 local businesses and individuals sponsored the game.
Photos by Justin Walker.
