WELCOME TO THE JUNGLE 'GUNS,' 'HOSES' TANGLE FOR CHARITY.

Byline: Patricia Farrell Aidem Staff Writer

SAUGUS - At 47, sheriff's deputy Pat O'Neill figures he's over the hill.

``I'm about the oldest guy on Earth,'' said O'Neill, captain of the Guns, a sheriff's station softball team formed to play a charity game next month. ``When I play basketball, I have to take three Advil just to get to work.''

For his 41-year-old counterpart on the Hoses - the Los Angeles County Fire Department's team - playing the infield is a lot less taxing than the outfield position he played in college.

``I just don't play like I used to,'' fire Capt. Tom Robertson said.

But they'll give it their best shot on Dec. 14 at Santa Clarita Central Park for the first Guns and Hoses charity softball game. The contest will benefit the Santa Clarita Valley sheriff's station toy drive and the Fire Department's Disaster Relief Fund.

The game is the highlight of a daylong event designed for families. There will be drawings during each inning with cameras, cookware and restaurant gift certificates among the prizes. A disc jockey will play, the fire and sheriff's departments will display emergency equipment, and the Shaky Quaky Yogi break house that teaches earthquake safety will be open.

Hosting the charity event will be Mark Thompson of the ``Mark and Brian'' show on KLOS-FM 95.5.

The Hoses have put together a team of men from four stations - 126 and 111 in Valencia, 73 in Newhall and 107 in Canyon Country. The Guns have promised not to recruit ringers from the department's traveling team.

``This is our first competition like this; usually we only get together at (emergency) incidents,'' Robertson said. ``It's friendly right now, but when you get there, you're there to win.''

O'Neill, who plays third base for his regular softball team, will pitch. Thankfully, he said, it's slow-pitch softball. Both teams will bat 12-man line-ups.

The Guns say they do have one ace up their sleeve - they're confident they can sway the umpire. ... After all, they know what he drives.

``I will not call him out on strikes,'' umpire David Toledo of O'Neill. ``Besides that, I'll call 'em like I see 'em.''

Firefighters are unfazed.

``We'll let our bats do the talking,'' said firefighter specialist Jerry Thomsen, the Hoses' first baseman.

IF YOU GO

The first Guns and Hoses charity softball game will be held at 10 a.m. at Santa Clarita Central Park, 27150 Bouquet Canyon Road, Saugus. Tickets are $5 presale and can be reserved by calling Laurene M. Lopez at [phone]. They will be $7 at the game.

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Photo:

(color) Fire Capt. Tom Robertson of Station 126 and Deputy Pat O'Neill of the Santa Clarita sheriff's station will lead their respective teams.

David R. Crane/Staff Photographer

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IF YOU GO (see text)