The Buhl Police Department came away with a convincing victory over the Buhl Fire Department Thursday evening, topping their fellow first responders 24-17 in the city’s annual “Guns vs. Hoses” charity softball game.
The matchup, held in Buhl, drew community members out to cheer on their favorite first responders while supporting a worthy local cause. All proceeds from the event go toward youth sports in the Buhl area, continuing a tradition that has grown well beyond its original purpose.
Fire Department Comes Out Hot, Police Pull Away
The fire department wasted no time making a statement, opening the game with back-to-back home runs. Despite that early surge, the police department answered and never looked back, pulling away for the seven-run victory in the soft pitch softball format.
The atmosphere went beyond just a softball game. Attendees enjoyed food trucks, raffles, and even a flyover, turning the charitable competition into a full community event for the Fourth of July holiday weekend.
From Scholarship Fund to Broader Community Benefit
The “Guns vs. Hoses” game has been a fixture in Buhl for several years, originally launched as a scholarship fundraiser benefiting students at the College of Southern Idaho. Over time, organizers expanded its reach to benefit more residents across the Buhl community, with a current focus on supporting local youth athletic programs.
Officer Logan Stokesbury highlighted the spirit behind the event after the game. “It’s an additional resource for the community. That’s what we’re about, is providing those resources to the community,” he said.
That sentiment captures what has made the annual game a draw for Buhl residents — a chance to see police officers and firefighters compete in good fun while giving back to the people they serve every day.
What Comes Next
With another victory logged for the police department, attention will likely turn to next year’s rematch and whether the fire department can avenge the defeat. In the meantime, the funds raised from this year’s event will be directed toward youth sports programs in Buhl, putting the community’s support directly back into the next generation of local athletes. Organizers have not announced a specific dollar total from this year’s proceeds.
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