BRADENTON – One..two…and three strikes they’re out. The Bradenton Police Department and the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office faced each other in a friendly game of softball at LECOM Park as part of the Bradenton Marauders Heroes Weekend.
“So this is the first year we’re doing the battle of badges pre-game softball game between Manatee Sheriff’s Office and BPD,” said General Manager of the Marauders Craig Warzecha. “I mean first responders are such a big part of the community and it’s a great way to just engage with them and honor them.”
It was a fun but competitive game between the two teams. The winner of the inaugural Battle of the Badges would not only have bragging rights but was awarded a cash price to go towards their charity.
“It’s really not about who wins who loses,” said Chief of Bradenton Police Department Melanie Bevan. “It’s to show truly the community members of Manatee County and the City of Bradenton that their law enforcement people can come together and really work effectively together, play effectively together and I think this showed this today.”
Though Bradenton PD played valiantly, Sheriff Rick Wells and his team took home the victory with a score of six to one.
“You know this is bragging rights for the entire year and then hopefully they can come back next year and take it from us, but it’s gonna be difficult it’ll be very difficult.,” said Wells.
The Sheriff’s Office took home the trophy and $500 for their Manatee County Sheriff’s Office Charity Foundation. But as a show of good sportsmanship the Marauders also donated $250 to Bradenton PD to go towards the Bradenton Blue Foundation.
