At an undisclosed location in the early morning hours Saturday, July 8, the Mineola Volunteer Fire Department softball team defeated the Flying C Rodeo Company, 11-5.

The game was the last iteration of an annual tradition between the two partnering groups which stage the Mineola Rodeo. 

First pitch came near midnight, and the final out was recorded just shy of 2 a.m. The fire department used a big fourth inning – or maybe it was the third – to break the game open. They took advantage of some errant outfield play and a string of solid hitting, to take control. 

The Flying C managed baserunners throughout the remaining innings, but could never stage that big rally needed to close the scoreline. 

The game had plenty of exciting turns, including a pickle rundown between third and home which resulted in a defensive error and a score, and an incredible catch in left field when the Flying C leftfielder – having closed instead of backing on a long drive – spun around at the last possible second and made a one-handed blind stab at the ball which ended up in the mitt.   

Coming to the plate in the top of the seventh, the call from the Flying C dug-out was, “OK, we need seven!”

The cowboys put two runners on, but a force-out at third and a play at the plate for an out left them with one last hope. A hard-hit drive to center secured the game, and the trophy, for the fire department.

Oh yes, there is a trophy. It is unique. Atop a wood pedestal is “affixed” a large dried-out cow-paddy. It is wrapped with a couple of strands of baling wire.    

As a living trophy, each year, the victors add something to the trophy. Although the frame was present at the game, the integral cow-chip had deteriorated over time, and would be replaced before the Flying C heads back north. The trophy will reside in Mineola for the year. As they say, to the victor go the spoils.  

There was much to be proud of during that early-morning softball game. There was simple acknowledgement that the two organizations  – in the middle of the two-night performance stop in Mineola – would take the time to gather-up for such an event. It speaks to mutual respect and camaraderie.

And while there were plenty of close calls on the diamond, the outs were adjudicated largely by deference, and humor. No umpires needed.

That is not to say that the game wasn’t competitive. There was plenty of great fielding and hitting, as one would expect with two groups who need their physical skills to perform.

Recently retired Mineola firefighter Mark Hooks described the evolution of the Mineola benefit rodeo, and how the fire department searched hard to find just the right company to come do it.

“They just love to come to Mineola,” he explained, “and we take good care of them, and have since their first year here.”

Originally, the softball game was done in daylight hours on Saturday mornings, but the heat was often just too much. The wee hours of the morning were arrived at as the best solution, and all logistics were amended accordingly. 

Flying C boss Todd Cook expressed his appreciation for the hospitality and generosity his team receives in Mineola.

“We are all family,” he said, “not good friends, but great friends.”

Only with the Mineola VFD has the Flying C built a tradition such as the annual middle-of-the-night softball game.  

The scene was heartwarming; with small kids asleep in folding stadium chairs, ”Amarillo by Morning” playing from a music-box, and the air filled with good-natured banter between the two teams. Even a light breeze kept the insects largely at bay.

What happened early that Saturday morning was a treasured piece of Americana.