Police outrun firefighters for title
Members of the Westland Police Department softball team put out the flames of rival players on the Westland Fire Department during the annual “Battle of the Badges” Charity Softball Game and Homerun Derby last weekend.
Police “Bacon Boomers,” snuck by with a win over fire department “Too Hot to Handle” players during the home run derby.
The winners were determined by the last play of the game, with the “Bacon Boomers” executing a perfect relay throw from the outfield to throw out the potential game tying run at the plate that wasn't “Too Hot to Handle” to end the game 14-13.
The “Bacon Boomers” weren't the only winners of the game, the WYAA Baseball received proceeds from the game, which came from food and beverage sales and a healthy 50/50 drawing during which the winner took only a portion of the money and donated the remainder.
Both departments brought emergency vehicles for the young visitors to enjoy and provided demonstrations from both the fire and police squads.
ouncilman Mike Londeau acted as the game announcer and Parks and Recreation Director Kyle Mulligan handled home plate umpiring. Gavin Sampey handled the bases while Councilwoman Melissa Sampey spearheaded the 50/50 ticket sales with the help of Council President Jim Hart, Councilman Jim Godbout, and Councilman Mike McDermott.
The organizers thanked the event sponsors including: Meijer, Todd Wenzel Buick GMC of Westland, North Brothers Ford, T's Tacos, Westland Professional Fire Fighters Union, Westland Police Officers Union, and the Westland LSA Union.
