Honoring heroes: Isotopes host charity game featuring first responders and Special Olympians

Chris Dixon knows almost every inch of Isotopes Park.

The 40-year-old stadium operations employee of Albuquerque’s Triple-A baseball team has literally been to around 1,000 games — working within all parts of the facility.

But Friday, he experienced a moment at the park for the first time as he dug his sneakers into the batter’s box, a bat on his shoulders and fans cheering in the stands and ripped a line-drive single to centerfield.

“It’s a lot harder than it looks. (The field is) huge. It’s absolutely huge,” said Dixon, who was taking part in the Guns ‘N’ Hoses charity softball game featuring area law enforcement, fire and rescue personnel and athletes from Special Olympics New Mexico.

Dixon, a long-time Special Olympian, was on the team with fire personnel. The team with law enforcement won 12-6. The contest was a first-time marriage of the entities and took place as thousands of fans were arriving for the Isotopes game, which was also First Responders Night.

“The first responders and the Special Olympics athletes were so excited to play on such a great field,” said Gary Chavez with Bernalillo Fire & Rescue. “I can’t thank the Isotopes enough for allowing us to do this event in their stadium. Events like this are huge in bringing departments together, bringing the community together and coming out for a great cause. The interaction with the athletes and the first responders was amazing, they made them feel included, which is what anyone wants. This was more than just a softball game. In my mind it was fantastic.”

Dixon said he hopes it won’t be the last time such a game is played — both so he can play again, but also so his fellow Special Olympians, who weren’t there Friday, can take the field.

“It’s just a bunch of fun — just a bunch of fun getting out there, you know, with the community and just having a blast,” Dixon said. “... I’m so grateful that the Isotopes did this.”

The Isotopes have long been partners with Special Olympics hosting events like their annual torch run. As for whether it happens again on the field, the interest is mutual.

“We’re proud of our relationship with Special Olympics New Mexico and the first responder community,” Isotopes General Manager John Traub said. “This is a natural fit and certainly gives us a great foundation on which to build for future events.”