Local firefighters show off their competitive side on the ball field

MONCKS CORNER, S.C.—Firefighters are known for putting out fires but not necessarily for their skills on the ball field. However, that has recently changed—at least in Berkeley County.

Earlier this month, several of the volunteer fire departments formed a softball league. The league is made up of Moncks Corner Rural, Pineridge, Whitesville, Macedonia and Santee Circle.

“A couple of us firefighters were sitting around the station one day and just decided to put it together,” said Mark Dirks, a firefighter with Moncks Corner Rural who helped organized the games.

When a call comes in from dispatch, it’s not uncommon for different fire departments to assist one another on the scene. According to Dirks,  softball gives them an opportunity to get to know the other firefighters better.

“It’s a blast,” explained Dirks who’s been a firefighter for more than a decade. “One of the main reasons why we did is so we can mingle more with the other departments.”

The firefighters hope to have a tournament soon and start back playing in the fall, too.

They currently play on Monday, Friday and Saturday at 6 p.m.