On July 22, Jackie Robinson Ballpark in Daytona Beach became a hub of excitement and charity, drawing thousands to witness a unique event: a charity softball game between Volusia County Fire Rescue and the Sheriff's Office. Unlike a typical minor-league or college game, this one highlighted the rivalry of two public service departments, all while supporting a good cause.
The event, which began as a friendly brainstorm between the two teams, exceeded all expectations. Over $70,000 was raised for the V Foundation for Cancer Research and the Volusia Sheriff's Youth Foundation. Locals contributed generously, making the cause the real winner of the night.
From the very start, the firefighters showed no signs of holding back. Volusia County Fire opened with an impressive five-run first inning, signaling their intent to dominate the game. This early lead was just the beginning of a dominant performance that would continue throughout the match.
The game concluded with a score of 26–6 in favor of the fire department, but the event was more than just a contest. It featured a 12-player batting order, an unusual four-outfielder setup, and even a bit of theatrics as a firefighter dressed as a thief was 'arrested' by the Sheriff's Office, adding to the fun.
One of the most heartfelt performances came from firefighter Branton Strickland. As a recent graduate of Taylor Middle-High School, Strickland's actions carried deep personal meaning. He dedicated his efforts to his younger sister, Lily, who passed away from leukemia in March.
Before each at-bat, Strickland drew an 'L' in the dirt near the batter's box to honor his sister. His contributions were significant, with two inside-the-park home runs, a grand slam, a single, and a sacrifice fly, totaling a game-high eight RBIs.
The second of Strickland's inside-the-park homers came in the fifth inning, off the pitching of Spruce Creek softball star Reese Cianciarulo, who also pitched for both teams. This hit scored two runs and added a dramatic moment to the contest.
With the game well in hand, the Sheriff’s Office sought to inject some excitement by recruiting the Spruce Creek High School softball team as temporary deputies. These high school players were sworn in during the sixth inning, despite the score being 18–2 in favor of the fire department.
Sheriff Mike Chitwood explained the decision: 'We were losing 18–2 at the time, and you want to give the fans something to look at.' The temporary deputies helped raise the Sheriff’s Office score to four runs before their 'duties' ended once they left the field.
Though the move was a hit with the crowd, rest assured there's no need to worry about being pulled over by a high schooler. The deputy status was strictly for the game and only active until the final pitch.
The fire department kept up the momentum, adding five more runs in the seventh inning. The game finished with the Sheriff's Office managing to score two additional runs on an inside-the-park home run by Anthony Shank.
Bragging Rights and a Possible Rematch
Volusia Fire out-hit the Sheriff's Office 32 to 9, with standout performances from Strickland, Scott Ryan, Steve Szabo, Jeremy Armstrong, and Patrick Cullinane. Ryan was particularly impressive, going 4 for 4 with two singles, a double, and an inside-the-park home run of his own, nearly completing a cycle.
Fire Chief Joe King credited the idea to their head coach and Sheriff Chitwood, who played a key role in bringing the event to life. 'We’ve been working hard, and there’s a lot of people behind the scenes that have been working to get this together,' King said.
With bragging rights firmly in the hands of the fire department and the enthusiastic support of thousands in attendance, the teams are already looking forward to a potential rematch. Sheriff Chitwood hinted at the possibility of returning to the field in 2027 for a second charity showdown.