Firefighters Charged After Flooding a Baseball Field in Maryland

Two fire personnel from Maryland face misdemeanor charges following an incident where a water hose was used to flood a baseball field during a dispute. The incident occurred in July and involved Montgomery County Fire Captain Christopher Reilly and firefighter Alan Barnes, each charged with three misdemeanors, including malicious property destruction and disorderly conduct.

The flooding was triggered after a baseball struck a pickup truck parked near the fire station. Reilly allegedly directed gallons of water toward the baseball field, which was hosting the Cal Ripken Collegiate Baseball League’s Silver-Spring Thunderbolts. Barnes reportedly moved the truck into position but did not operate the water flow himself. The water was said to have been on for about a minute before the flow was stopped.

The incident damaged the high school baseball field at Montgomery Blair High School in Silver Spring, leading to the cancellation of a scheduled game and financial losses for the team. The floodwaters resulted from a baseball hit that hit the suspect’s truck, which was parked at the firehouse lot adjacent to the field.

Both Reilly and Barnes have been removed from operational duties and placed on non-public contact status as part of an internal investigation. According to authorities, the firefighters’ actions were linked to ongoing tensions with the baseball players, who often hit home runs or lose balls on fire department property.

The fire department emphasized its commitment to cooperating with investigations and taking the matter seriously. The incident drew attention to issues of misconduct and the importance of proper conduct among emergency personnel.