Racine Sun

The Mount Pleasant Police Department and the South Shore Fire Department will compete in a softball game on Sunday, September 14, as part of a fundraising effort for local students. The event is organized alongside the 11th Annual Mount Pleasant Police Officers Association Car Show, which aims to raise money for scholarships and other causes benefiting area youth.

The car show is scheduled from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at the beer garden at Franksville Memorial Park, located at 9614 Northwestern Avenue. Following the presentation of trophies for the car show, the Battle of the Badges softball game will begin at Ball Diamond 1 in Memorial Park at 3:00 p.m. Both events are free and open to all members of the public.

This marks the first time since 2019 that the two departments have played each other in softball; South Shore Fire won that previous match-up. Since then, new talent has joined the police department, including former College Division 1 pitcher Ryan Reynolds.

Mount Pleasant Police Department Chief Robert Botsch commented on both teamwork and rivalry between departments: “I think it’s important to remember that, like softball, public safety is a team sport with some friendly rivalries,” said Mount Pleasant Police Department Chief Robert Botsch. “Now, with that said, the only thing the SSFD players will be extinguishing on Sunday is their batting average. You’re going to get smoked.”

South Shore Fire Department Interim Fire Chief Dustin Ellis responded: “Although I appreciate the Police Department’s willingness to engage in recreation with SSFD, they do not stand a chance. SSFD has been victorious in the last few softball games against MPPD. I wish MPPD all of the luck, but they have no chance.”

A flyer with more details about the exhibition game is available as a PDF.