Weather cooperates Sat. for postponed 1st Responders Night at Larks Park

tyler 3 — HFD Shift Lt. Tyler Brungardt tosses the baseball to a young Hays Larks fan while HPD Lt. Tim Greenwood acts as catcher. The men enjoyed the impromptu game of catch before being honored on the field as part of First Responders Night at Larks Park Saturday. (Photos courtesy Justin Choitz)

By BECKY KISER
Hays Post

The weather was much more favorable Saturday evening than it was Friday in Hays.

Local emergency responders were busy as a slow-moving severe thunderstorm traveled through the area, bringing high wind, lots of lightening and some hail. A Flood Warning was in effect for Ellis County until 9:15 a.m. Saturday.

Many of the first responders were back in action again Saturday night, although in a much more relaxed environment.

Postponed until tonight were the First Responders Night activities as part of the Hays Larks game.

The Larks had to postpone Friday’s opener in their three-game series with the Bethany (Oklahoma) Bulls. The game is being made up as part of a 6 p.m. doubleheader in Larks Park.

The Hays Baseball Association and Hays Larks Baseball hosted the fifth annual First Responders Night. Everyone was invited to attend the game to help pay tribute to law enforcement officers, firefighters, paramedics, 911 dispatchers and all first responders for their commitment and contributions to our community.

tyler 1 — HFD Lt. Brungardt waits for a pitch.

Two first responders, Hays Fire Department Shift Lieutenant Tyler Brungardt and Hays Police Lieutenant Tim Greenwood, took time to toss the baseball with a young boy before the men were invited onto the field to be recognized for First Responders Appreciation Night.

Hays Firefighter Justin Choitz, who took the pictures of the “impressionable Larks fan” said “Lt. Brungardt interacts well with young people.”

tyler 2 — Brungardt gets ready to return the toss.

“We are honored to recognize the hard work of these outstanding members of our community,” said Ken Windholz, president of the Hays Baseball Association. “These men and women have dedicated their lives to providing safety and security for us and we are pleased to pay tribute to them and their families.”

Admission to the game was free. The game is being sponsored by Invenergy and Platinum Group.