The First Responders Cup
Past Results
( as appears on First Responders Cup )
2002 - Innaugural Tournament - 1st First Responders Cup Tournament
12U - Champion:-Shamrocks, Virginia
14U - Champion: Amherst Lightning,Williamsburgh, New York
2003 - 2nd First Responders Cup Tournament
12U - Champion: - Donegal Rheems Stingers, Lancaster, Pennsylvannia
14U - Champion: - West Point Stars, Greensburgh, Pennsylvannia
2004 - 3rd First Responders Cup Tournament
12U - Champion: - Shamrocks, Virginia
14U - Champion: - Shamrocks, Virginia
2005 - 4th First Responders Cup Tournament
( tournament format changed to 14U and 16U Brackets)
14U - Champion: Shamrocks, Virginia
16U - Champion: Maryland Stars, Maryland
2006 - 5th First Responders Cup Tournament
14U - Champion: Shamrocks, Virginia
16U - Champion: Shamrocks, Virginia
2007 - 6th First Responders Cup Tournament
(Tournament expanded to add a Silver Bracket for both 14U and 16U)
Gold Division:
14U - Champion: Vienna Stars, Virginia
16U - Champion: Ashburn Shooting Stars, Virginia
Silver Division:
14/16U - Champion: Northern Virginia Blaze, Virginia
2008 - 7th First Responders Cup Tournament
Gold Division:
14U - Champion: Shamrocks
16U - Champion: Shamrocks
Silver Division:
14U - Champion: Tsunami
16U - Champion: Xplosion
Frank Bradley Memorial Sportsmaship Award
This awared intitiated by the First Responders Cup Tournament Commitee and the Sports Division of the Arlingtion County Department Parks, Recreation and Cultural Resources to honor those teams that demonstrate the distinctive qualities of fair play, respect of the game and competition throughout the tournament.
2008 Awardees:
16U Gold - Baseliners
16U Silver - Northern Virginia Blaze
14U Gold - Ashburn Shooting Stars - Black
14U Silver - BYRC Stingrays
Some Memorable Moments from Past Tournaments
In this section we will present a photo essay of the past First Responder Tournaments. Originating in 2002, with tournament competition at the 12 and Under and 14 and Under brackets, the tournament has grown and develped as a tradition for Arlington County and now serves as integral part of the 9/11 Commemorative activities of the County. The event has been highlighted by a number of special events. A decrition of these events that make this tournament much more than just another softball tournament. Above we take note of the late Chief Justice of the United States Supreme Court, William Renquist. Above we share a phote of the Arlington Sage meeting with the Chief Justice at Fire Station 5 before the openning ceremonies at the second annual First Responders Cup.
As expected, the Chief Justice remained unbiased as always though his niece played for the Arlington Team in the 14 and Under Bracket. Pa Teams swept 2nd Annual First Responders Cup Due to the rain on Fri., 9/12, Saturday's games were cancelled. Opening Ceremonies took place at 9:30a.m. but were moved to the fire station adjacent to the fields. Supreme Court Chief Justice William Rehnquist was the keynote speaker.
Pictured above is Chief Edward Plaugher of the Arlington Fire Department who commanded the Fire Department response to the Pentagon emergency. It was Chief Plaugher who provided the inspiiration for the tournament, noting that he saw no better way to celebrate the response of the First Responders then by hosting a Fastpitch Tournament consisting of the very best youth teams from those areas directly affected by the events of September 11th, 2001, New York, Pennsylvannia and Arlington, Virginia.
The tourney committee wishes to thank Capt. Devine of the Arl. County Fire Dept. and his team of firefighters on duty that day. The teams appreciated your hospitality and tours of the fire trucks. The First Responders Cup would like to thank all of the teams that participated in this year's tourney. Congratulations go to the West Point Stars of Greensburg, PA for winning the 14U Division against the Shamrocks (1-0). This West Pt. Stars were the runner-up team in the 14U division 2002 and they returned 2003 to claim the title. Congratulations on a well-played game. The West Pt. Stars were coached by Rick Shaheen, Chuck Ferrari, Mike Frederick, and Frank Paul. Congratulations also go to the Donegal/Rheems Stingers of Lancaster County, PA for winning the 12U Division against the Shamrocks (1-0).
Photos from the innaugural First Responders Cup Tournament in 2001. Pictured above are the Openning Presenters, Chief Edward Plaugher, Arlington Fire Chief, Chief Edward Flynn, Arlington Police Chief, Congressman James Moran (D.Va), and Ms. Sherri Burlingame, wife of Charles Burlingame, pilot of the plane that was used to attack the Pentagon, in Arlington Virginia. Below is the photo of the first Arlington Sage team to play in the tournament. Coaches Dave Merrill, Dan Hailing and Jack Belcher with the 12U Sage displaying the quilt given to Arlington First Responders for their efforts at the Pentagon.
Sheri Burlingame, widow of American Airlines flight 77 pilot Charles Burlingame, threw out the first ball at opening ceremony on Sept. 14, 2002. "This tournament is about bringing together youth, who witnessed this horrific tragedy from their respective cities, and now gather to pay tribute to the First Responders," said George Barusso, tournament director. Below members of the participating teams greet waiting Fire and Police First Responders who responded to the Pentagon energency.
On Saturday night Fire Station 5, housing the first responders to arrive at Pentagon, was the site of a barbecue catered for the teams by H I Ribsters. It was announced that beginning with the innaugural touranment, each year's Tournament winners will have their team names inscribed on the First Responders Cup donated by Dan Kain Trophies of Arlington. The Cup for this annual tournament will prominently reside in an Arlington Fire Station. Each player received a limited edition 9/11 commemorative pin. Tournament sponsors include the Arlington Professional Firefighters and Paramedics Association; Arlington Police Beneficiary Association; Arlington County Department of Parks, Recreation and Community Resources; The Cadmus Group, Inc.; Westfield Realty; ICF Consulting; the Metro Washington DC Amateur Softball Association; the Doubletree Hotel, and HI Ribsters.
Below is a scene from the 3rd Annual tournament that was highlighted by the teams assembling at Arlington Cemetary for the ceremonial laying of a wreathe at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. Accompanying players were Arlington Board Chairperson Barbara Favola and Arlington County Manager Ron Carlee. In 2005, the First Responders Cup restructured to be a 14 and Under and 16 and Under Tournament to insure the best competition would be available to compete. The year 2005 also witnessed the deployment of many of the volunteers who would be supporting the tournament to support the emergency response in New Orleans as a result of hurricane Katrina. Though, deployed during the tournament, the responders closely kept tab on the game play with game action being relayed to field correspondents deployed in the New Orleans Emergency Operations Center in the heart of ravaged New Orleans where the news served as a welcome respite from their duties. So lives the legend of the First Responders Cup.
