Players taking part in Saturday’s annual Bainbridge High School Bearcats alumni baseball game showed fans that they still have some excellent baseball skills.

The offensive firepower started early with Chane Rathel blasting a long home run over the right-field wall. Preston Hall did a good job on the mound, and Chad Smith hit the ball hard every time up.

Gary Riles, who turned in his umpire’s outfit for a glove and bat, made some strong defensive plays at first base to save some runs but had a little trouble running the bases. He dove too early on an attempted steal of second base, bounced a couple of times on his stomach and was tagged out short of the bag.

Kevin Bearden, a non-alumni but member of the Bearcats coaching staff, filled in at catcher and prevented some wild pitches.

Rusty Josey, who has umpired numerous alumni games through the years, said this year’s group seemed to have more talent than most.