Team Police Preparing for Battle of the Badges on August 30

Team Police and Captain Chris Davis are raring to go as they prepare for the CHaD Battle of the Badges Baseball Classic set to take place at Northeast Delta Dental Stadium on August 30.

It's all come down to the late summer classic baseball game known as the Battle of the Badges between firefighters and police for the past five years. The two teams play in a friendly yet very competitive "Good vs. Good" charity baseball game to raise money for children receiving care at the Children's Hospital at Dartmouth-Hitchock (CHaD).

On this day, August 30, the mood will be light and there will be a competitive atmosphere in the air as money is being raised for a unique charity. Last year more than $73,000 was raised for CHaD.

Even with their busy work schedules, Team Police has made it a priority to get together on a weekly basis since the beginning of June to gear up for the game. "The Fisher Cats have been great, we had one day here using the batting cages and then we're here today working out. It's been pretty great," Chris Davis said with a smile.

Captain Davis works for the New Hampshire liquor enforcement and has been a the captain of the team for the past few seasons. He's equipped with a team of 21 members from the police staff. 

"Most of the guys on this team, I've had from last year," Davis explained. "I was fortunate enough that I got a really good core of guys together. I've had about half a dozen new players. We're coming together as a team and working hard. For the Fisher Cats to open up their doors to us and give us this opportunity, it's been a great deal all around."

The members of Team Police are all police officers from across the state of New Hampshire. As well as sharing similar careers, the members of the team also have a passion for the game of baseball and the desire to help the community. 

Among the members of Team Police, there's Jeff Czarnec, the oldest member out of the two teams at 57 years old. Czarnec has been playing in the game for the past three years and has enjoyed every minute of it.

This year's matchup is a little bit different for Team Police. "As it stands right now, we've won two games, and lost two. This is kind of the rubber match for bragging rights. Just coming out here, being able to play in this game and raise the money and awareness for CHaD, it's been great. It means a lot and it's a really good time for a great cause."

At the end of the day, it's all about the kids and CHaD. For Chris Davis and the rest of the Team Police, it's "the kids that we're here for. Win, lose, or draw, it's all about the kids."

General admission tickets are on sale now for the CHaD Battle of the Badges at http://bit.ly/1hjESBZ. Children 10 years old and under are free. If you would like to donate further to this event, you can donate online or buy a red or blue bracelet to support either team. To take further action, you can sponsor a place or volunteer at the event on August 30.