By Dee Grenert Editor
CULVER — The Culver-Union Township Fire Department knows all about battling blazes.
This time around, though, the high temperatures came in the form of sweltering July heat and humidity during the second annual Culver emergency services charity softball game, which benefited the Culver food pantry.
Like the inaugural, the firefighters earned Culver emergency services bragging rights with a 22-20 four-inning win over a team of Emergency Medical Services (EMS) and Culver Police Department personnel Sunday at the Culver Community High School softball field.

However, the EMS/Police team kept this year’s duel closer than last year’s 21-14 final.
“It was very hot,” Assistant Fire Chief and event organizer Ken VanDePutte said. “It was much tougher this time around. I think in the second inning we were nervous.”
The navy blue clad EMS/Police team led 11-6 after an inning and a half, but the firemen — decked out in fire-engine red T-shirts — put up an eight spot in the bottom of the second to reclaim the upper hand.
The two teams played under rules generally reserved for T-ball, with one turn through the order each frame and defensively, every player in the field. That left as many as 17 defenders bunched in a short-fenced field, normally used for fast-pitch softball.
“You step up to the plate and try to hit it somewhere where there’s not someone, but that place doesn’t exist,” VanDePutte said.
Despite the abundance of men — and women — in the field, both teams still managed to produce a good amount of offense. In fact, veteran fireman Bill Snyder smacked a pair of hits, including a solid line drive down the third-base line.
And while both sides engaged in good-natured banter, the two teams capped off the afternoon with a cookout at the fire station.
“Everybody enjoys coming (to the fire station) after the game,” VanDePutte said. “We got a good truckload of food for the food pantry, too.”
Six-year EMS employee Aaron Schattl said he enjoyed this year’s game more than last year. He also likes the message it sends to the community.
“(EMS) had a better turnout this year, definitely,” Schattl said. “It sounds kind of corny, but it was fun.
“The best thing I like about both last year’s game and this year’s is unity,” he added. “For a while the three groups were separate, and now we’re working together more. I think it’s awesome.”
Although that unity created a bit of a divided loyalty for fireman Tim McCarthy who played for the fire department, but also works for the EMS.
“(McCarthy) has no choice,” Fire Chief Mike Grover said while collaring McCarthy. “The fire chief says he has no choice. He has to play for us.”
McCarthy stuck with the fire department despite invitations to join the other side.
“The EMS tried to get me to play for their team,” McCarthy said. “I’ve been with the fire department for 18 years and EMS for eight years. My seniority is with (the fire department). The fire department needs me for youth.”
Whether or not McCarthy switches sides next year, Police Chief Wayne Bean and EMS Director Chuck Dilts have already started strategizing for next year.
“We need to be better organized,” Bean said. “We need to set our batting order better.”
The day started on a solemn note, though. The teams observed a 30-second moment of silence for Indiana State Police (ISP) Trooper David Rich, who was killed in the line of duty Thursday. Rich’s older brother, ISP’s Bob Rich of Culver, umpired last year’s game and was scheduled to umpire this year before his brother’s tragic death.