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You’re always taking a bit of a risk when you park a vehicle in the vicinity of a baseball field. One firefighter at a department in Maryland learned that the hard way when his truck was struck by a player warming up for a game being held next to the station, but they may have gone a bit too far in their quest for revenge after drowning the field with water.
I feel like I’m far from the only person who played Little League growing up who held their breath in anticipation whenever a foul ball made its way toward the parking lot in the hopes of hearing the unmistakable metallic “THUD” that meant some unfortunate parent was going to have to deal with a dent that wasn’t there when they arrived.
Of course, that particular development is much more amusing when you’re a child who’s yet to reach a point in life where you’re able to truly grasp the concept of supporting yourself with your hard-earned money. With that said, there are plenty of adults who still get a dose of schadenfreude in those same situations after realizing they’re not the person who has to deal with the damage.
It’s hard to blame someone who does have to deal with the damage for being less than thrilled about that development, although we were treated to a bit of an overreaction thanks to what transpired in Maryland on Thursday night.
The Takoma-Silver Spring Thunderbolts had to cancel a summer league game after a home run ball led to angry firefighters drowning their field in water
The Cal Ripken Sr. Collegiate Baseball League is one of a number of circuits in America that give student-athletes the chance to keep developing their skills when they head home for the summer, and it boasts eight teams in the DMV area that offer players the opportunity to stay sharp.
That includes the Takoma-Silver Spring Thunderbolts, the Maryland-based squad that plays its home games at Montgomery Blair Baseball Stadium, a venue where the left field wall is located directly in front of the building that houses the Silver Spring Fire Department.
On Thursday evening, the Thunderbolts were slated to take on the Alexandria Aces after having the four games leading up to that showdown canceled due to inclement weather. Rain didn’t end up being an issue, but the team still encountered some wet conditions shortly after a player hit a home run during batting practice that ended up denting a pickup truck owned by one of the Silver Spring firefighters.
A bizarre scene subsequently unfolded as a fire engine was deployed to spray a torrent of water on the field to the point where it “created a pond,” and the team initially announced the decision to delay the game it had planned to shorten to seven innings due to an 11 P.M. curfew before it was called off entirely.
Absolute clown show @mcfrs pic.twitter.com/JqjWmGunSo
— Zane Grimes (@GrimesZane8) July 18, 2025
According to Bethesda Today, Thunderbolts assistant coach Max Eckert initially chalked the incident up to an honest mistake. However, he discovered his team was the target of the retaliatory attack after attempting to alert the firefighters, noting they made it very clear they were aware of what they were doing after he approached them.
A representative for the fire department acknowledged the first responders responsible were in the wrong while pledging to investigate the incident.
The @mcfrs FS716 (Four Corners) & ballfield (Blair Local Park) have coexisted as neighbors for years. We understand the importance of this venue to the community & we apologize to the players, teams involved, Cal Ripken League & fans for any inconvenience that may have resulted. https://t.co/7aXUrlaV4N pic.twitter.com/tdFOrUeYtI
— Pete Piringer (@mcfrsPIO) July 18, 2025
The Thunderbolts are still assessing the damage to the field, with Eckert adding he’s worried they may not be able to play on their home turf for the rest of the summer. The park where it’s located falls under the purview of Maryland-National Capital Park Police, and they are also considering pressing charges against the offending firefighter(s).
BroBible reached out to the fire department via their website, and this article will be updated if they provide any additional information.
Who is responsible if your car gets hit by a baseball?
This isn’t the first time someone’s vehicle has been damaged by a baseball, and it certainly won’t be the last. As a result, you might find yourself wondering who is actually liable in those situations.
According to The Agent Insurance, damage (including dents and broken windows and windshields) should generally be covered by your policy’s comprehensive coverage, although you may have to fork over some (or all) of your deductible if you file a claim.
The person responsible for hitting the baseball can’t be held liable if there was no malicious intent (that same principle also protects golfers responsible for damage stemming from an errant ball). With that said, there’s no law that says you can’t try to guilt them into paying for at least some of the cost, although there’s no guarantee you’ll get your wish.