Some ‘fun twists’ deliberate for Battle of the Badges | Information, Sports, Jobs

MARSHALL — Marshall’s Sounds of Summer competition is beginning tonight, with a brand new occasion. Two groups of emergency responders, from the Marshall Police and the Marshall Fire Department, might be competing for bragging rights on the softball diamond.

There’s loads of anticipation main as much as tonight’s Battle of the Badges softball sport, firefighters and police mentioned.

“As we get closer to it, everyone is super excited,” mentioned firefighter Brady Mellenthin, who might be among the many MFD members taking part in within the sport. “We’ve been doing Sounds of Summer for years, and it’s kind of fun to put a little twist on it.”

“I feel like there’s going to be a lot of people there,” mentioned Sgt. Ben Rieke, of the Marshall Police Department. Rieke might be main the MPD group on the sport. “Obviously the police department and the fire department are excited.”

The Battle of the Badges sport is a brand new occasion for Sounds of Summer. The motion will begin this night on the Amateur Sports Complex in Marshall. The occasion will even characteristic a meal by the Hitching Post, that may elevate funds for Marshall youth athletics.

“I think there’s going to be a really good crowd, and the weather’s looking nice,” mentioned Brock Klaith, of the Marshall Sounds of Summer committee. The softball sport was a enjoyable method to increase the competition one other night time, whereas serving to a very good trigger, Klaith mentioned. Rieke and Deputy Fire Chief Jake Olsen might be serving as coaches for the 2 groups.

Klaith and native responders mentioned the occasion could have some surprises so as to add to the leisure.

“It sounds like there might be some other games between innings,” or different enjoyable twists to the occasion, Rieke mentioned. However, firefighter Aaron Mathiowetz mentioned, “Neither side knows what’s going to happen.”

There has been some trash-talking main as much as the sport, although it’s all in good enjoyable, responders mentioned.

“You’ve always got a little rivalry between firefighters and police,” Rieke mentioned. “But we love those guys.”

“There’s definitely a rivalry going on,” Mathiowetz mentioned. “I think we’ve got a good shot at winning.”

Earlier this month, the MPD filmed a humorous video with officers on the ball subject, difficult the hearth division. Firefighters responded with their very own video. Both clips have gotten some optimistic reactions and shares on Facebook.

Both groups have additionally been making an attempt to get some observe on this summer time, to prepare for the sport. “We’re ready to roll,” Mathiowetz mentioned of the firefighters’ group.

Rieke mentioned MPD officers have additionally held a couple of practices collectively to arrange for the occasion.

“We’re going to win,” he mentioned.

Klaith mentioned organizers would love for the Battle of the Badges to develop into a daily occasion, presumably that includes different first responder teams from the world.

“We’re hoping this continues,” he mentioned.

“We’re very appreciative of Brock for putting it on,” Rieke mentioned of the Battle of the Badges. “It’s a good community event.”

Gates for the Battle of the Badges open at 5:30 on the Amateur Sports Complex. A fundraiser meal by the Hitching Post might be $10, and have a hamburger, chips, coleslaw and beverage.