by Brian Keaney

The Dedham firefighters went easy on a team of current and former New England Patriots Friday night, letting them win in a game of softball at Memorial Park.  The final score of 15-7 didn’t damper anyone’s spirits as both fighters of conflagrations and the New York Jets gathered across the street after the game for a post-game celebration.

The game was a fundraiser for the local firefighters union, and the money raised will go to support the firefighter’s charities around town.  The High School band was also on hand to play a rousing rendition of the National Anthem, and three retired firefighters, Buddy Randall, John Holcomb, and Fred Loewen Sr., threw out the first pitch on Sullivan Field. 

The firefighters came strong in the opening innings.  They were so strong, in fact, that in the 3^rd inning former quarterback Scott Zolak rushed the mound.  His bench didn’t empty as he approached pitcher Wayne DeFelice, Jr., but he was trailed by the Great Cobbini, who pulled out a woman’s brassiere from DeFelice’s pants.

The Great Cobbini, played by Rick Cobbin, a graduate of the Ringling Bros. Circus Clown College, provided comedic relief throughout the game.  He was the only “player” of the game to hit a home run, and he made it around the bases on a pair of stilts before jumping on home plate.

Only one firefighter had anything close to a homerun.  Nick Foss had rounded third and was heading for home as the ball was being thrown in from left field.  He slid into home and the umpire rightfully called him out.

Foss’ mother, Mary Jean Foss, was standing behind the backstop and clearly saw the play differently.

“My Nicky was safe,” the elder Foss called out.  “I want a new umpire!”

Patriots kicker Stephen Gostkowski gave two of the Deputy Chiefs a difficult time when it was his turn to bat.  In both the third and fourth innings of the game Gostkowski put line drives past the ranking members of the firefighters’ bench, both of whom were playing shortstop.  Both made valiant attempts, with Bill Cullinane diving to the left and John O’Brien to the right, but both came up short.  O’Brien later redeemed himself, however, when in a similar play he caught a drive off of Zolak’s bat in the 5th.

In the 6^th catcher Willy Walsh couldn’t get out of the way fast enough as Patriot Joe Andruzzi rounded third and headed for home.  Walsh could have prevented the run from being scored had he stood his ground in the face of the 6 foot 3 inch, 312 pound offensive guard charging the plate, but he didn’t and the Pats took the lead.

Walsh was in position to make up for it in the last inning, however, when Pats punter Chris Hanson hit a pop foul towards the firefighters’ bench.  He easily would have made the out had union chief Steve MacDougal not been in the way and caught the ball for him.

When it was the local boys’ turn at the plate in the 6^th Nick Spada called his shot and pointed to left field.  Lo and behold that’s where he put it, but perhaps he shouldn’t have warned Zolak that it was coming.  The pop fly was an easy out for the former QB.

Spada’s out may have been punishment from the softball gods as he spent a good portion of the game heckling his own teammates from the sidelines.  Further evidence of devine retribution came during Spada’s 1/3 inning on the mound.  After allowing several runs and even more hits, Spada was the only pitcher of the game to be pulled. 

The five men in the outfield gave no Spada no help, though.  In that inning the Pats doubled their score to put the game out of reach for the good guys.  MacDougal must have felt pretty good about his call to the bullpen, however, as returning DeFelice retired the next two batters to end the inning.

After the game all the players stuck around and signed autographs for fans, and a few Patriots were even spotted playing catch with some of the kids who attended.  Outgoing union president Fred Loewen, Jr., said a good time was had by all.

“We had a great time,” Loewen said, “and we went easy on them.  We only put in our second stringers.”

Those second stringers included a number of the more veteran members of the department.  As the game progressed they could be heard complaining about more aches and pains from playing a game of softball then you generally want to hear from a group of men who are supposed to run into burning buildings at a moment’s notice.  Despite this, MacDougal said “as expected my guys pulled it together and we played a great game.”

MacDougal also thanked the crowds and advertisers for their support.

“People know these guys [the firefighters] and that we would do anything for them,” MacDougal said.  “Dedham is a great town.”

Ed. note: myDedhamNews donated several photos to the official program for the evening.  Photos for this story are courtesy of Jackie Spada.