Batters launching home runs over the fence at the Villa Augustina field complex in Goffstown didn’t get a leisurely stroll around the bases.

Instead, they got a lonely walk back to the dugout.

During the annual Crispin’s House one-pitch softball tournament, the rules don’t allow home runs, as balls traveling over the fence instead count for an out.

Among the teams trying to keep the balls in the yard was the Bedford Fire Department team, which ended with a third-place finish on Saturday, Aug. 8.

The team won its first two games before dropping consecutive contests in the doubleelimination bracket.

“It was a great tournament,” said Scott Klose, who played third base and pitched during the morning’s contests. “It’s tough for a seasoned softball player not to be swinging for the fences, but it affected everyone and that’s what made it interesting. You had to work for your runs since you weren’t getting the homers.”

Eleven teams signed up for tournament action, with money raised going to benefit Goffstown’s Crispin’s House, a non-profit organization that provides multiple services to the local youth.

Klose said team members were glad to be a part of contributing to the charity, but they were also there for another reason.

“It was a good balance between being competitive and having fun,” said Klose. “When we got down to it at the end it was a little more competitive than for fun. When we played our last games, they were out to win no matter what.”

A pick-up team called New Boston Black Sox won the tournament, defeating Goffstown Junior Baseball, which came through the loser’s bracket after losing to the Bedford firefighters. Event organizer Al Baines said a total of about $3,000 was raised to help fund the after school program at Mountain View Middle School as well as other causes.

“It’s a great event for us to bring the community toghether, and get the word out about Crispin’s House,” said Baines. “It was extremely gratifying to see the response from the community. It was a record day in the number of teams, and the amount of fundraising.”