U.S. service members faced off against first responders Friday in the annual First Responders’ Softball Game.

This year marks the ninth year that service members competed against police officers, firefighters and paramedics to show appreciation for those who put their lives on the line every day.

Organizers say it’s a way to build camaraderie on and off the field.

VIDEO: First responders, service members prep for softball competition

The gratitude goes both ways, one player tells News 12.

“We work together in emergency management, anti-terrorism and the fire department, so we meet in those fields within our communities and to just come together here and show our competitive spirit against each other is really a nice fun idea,” says firefighter Billy Johnson.