Local first responders teamed up Saturday to play ball for a good cause.

The 11th annual Bridge the Gap softball game was held at the Sulphur Springs Baseball Complex.

The round-robin tournament gives teens the opportunity to play side-by-side with members of the Tampa Police Department, Tampa Fire Rescue, Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office and the FBI.

“It brings the community, the police and fire together to let them know we are people, too,” Lt. Michael Stout with the Tampa Police Department said. “That we have the same likes and interests as they do.”

It gave 13-year-old Jaylen Jones a new perspective.

"You always see them concentrating on the job and saving people and when we see them playing baseball, you know they have other interests besides saving people and working on the job,” Jones said.

This year, the game was renamed for Earl Silas, who started the game back in 2005. He is retiring from the Tampa Police Department after almost 13 years of service.

The Tampa Police Department surprised Silas with the honor at Saturday’s game.

"It’s hard to put into words,” Silas said. “I am a firm believer in the more you give, the more it comes back to you."