Battle Of The Heroes Is On: Cops V. Firefighters Softball Game

East Haven CT

01 September, 2021

7:27 PM

Description

EAST HAVEN, CT - In October of 2019, the East Haven police union was told, "there's always next year," after they lost the East Haven Public Safety 'Battle of the Heroes' charity softball championship game to players from the East Haven firefighter's union. Only there was no next year. It was another in a long list of time-honored community events that were scuttled due to the pandemic in 2020. Though COVID-19 has not left us, the game is on for 2021. And this time, the all-in-good-fun (kind of) event where firefighters duke it out on the diamond with cops, money raised from the event will honor those lost on 9/11. On the 20th anniversary of the terror attacks, funds raised will go to the Tunnel to Towers Foundation, which supports veterans, first responders and their families. The foundation honors the memory of Stephen Siller, a New York City firefighter who lost his life saving others on September 11, 2001. The Foundation continues Stephen's legacy by supporting our nation's first responders and military veterans. Donate here. The East Haven Police Union and East Haven Fire Union softball face-off is set for Sept. 17 with a suggested $5 donation for adults at the entrance to the event. And here's the GoFundMe link. The GoFundMe has a $2,500 goal but so far has raised less than $200. Here's a chance to change that, East Haven, as every little bit helps. Who are you rooting for, cops or firefighters? Meanwhile, the game and the banter between the two departments, is at once all in good fun and serious. Police said: "We will finally be able to send the Battle of the Heroes trophy home," East Haven police wrote on social media asking folks to "witness, in person, payback. This. Will. Not. Be. Pretty!" But East Haven Fire Chief Matt Marcarelli is so convinced that, one, cops would try to swipe the 2019 trophy and, two, that firefighters have the game in the bag, he's been taunting cops a bit. "I am told by FD personnel that the addition of the 'COVID-20' around the EHPD's midsection will likely impact performance therefore we are hopeful that we will maintain control of the trophy which remains secured to my radiator," Marcarelli wrote in May. East Haven Fire Chief Matt Marcarelli And he could not resist this one: But cops are giving it right back to firefighters. "Without giving up too much of our strategy, let us just say we aren't worried about losing the Second Annual Battle of the Heroes Softball Tournament. We are out here every day practicing and have even called in some reinforcements to help us with our swings. Thank you Blake for the crash course!" Swing for the bleachers, heroes! GoFundMe is a Patch partner.