According to a report from WUSA9, two firefighters are now facing charges after police say they used a fire hose to dump gallons of water onto a baseball field during a game, flooding it and forcing its cancellation. The report states they are being charged with malicious destruction of property valued $1000 and disorderly conduct.
This stems from a July 17 incident after a baseball struck a firefighter’s personal vehicle parked at Silver Spring Fire Station 16, which sits next to the Montgomery Blair Baseball Stadium. The two firefighters have been identified as Captain Chris Reilly and Alan Barnes.
That night’s Cal Ripken Collegiate Baseball League matchup between the Silver Spring–Takoma Park Thunderbolts and the Metro SoCo Braves was ultimately canceled after water sprayed from the fire station left the field unplayable. The Thunderbolts, a collegiate summer baseball team, announced the delay on social media before the game was officially called off, describing the waterlogged field as “a pond in center.”
Following the incident, Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Service (MCFRS) issued an apology to the teams, players, league, and community members, while also confirming it was working with Maryland–National Capital Park Police to review the circumstances.
MCFRS said in its statement:
“Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Service (MCFRS) is aware of an incident involving a water discharge near one of our fire stations and a nearby community baseball field on Thursday evening, July 17, 2025, which unfortunately led to the cancellation of a scheduled game.
We want to express our sincere apologies to the players, teams, Cal Ripken League, and all fans and families impacted by this disruption. We understand how important this venue is to the community and especially to the young athletes who look forward to these events.
At this time, we are actively gathering all relevant information and coordinating with the Maryland-National Capital Park Police to understand exactly what occurred. While the fire station and ballfield have long shared this space as neighbors, we recognize that incidents like this can have a real impact — and we take that seriously.
Our top priority remains public safety, and we are committed to maintaining open and transparent communication as we work through the facts. We deeply value our relationship with the community and are taking steps to ensure this matter is thoroughly reviewed and that future disruptions are prevented.
Again, we extend our heartfelt apologies and appreciate your patience and understanding as we move forward together.”
