Sports

Local first responders take part in Battle of the Badges

By Christopher Shaban
Eagle Times Correspondent
MANCHESTER – The 9th annual Battle of the Badges took place at Northeast Delta Dental stadium on Friday before a crowd 2100 fans and raised over $140,000 for the Children’s Hospital at Dartmouth-Hitchcock. Team fire scored first and last but the police scored everything in between and walked away with a 7-2 win on a spectacular evening that ended with a firework display over the right field fence.

Local departments were well represented as Newport firefighter Corey Conroy was playing in his 2nd game and started at first base. “ It has been much easier this time having participated last year, its still a lot of work but the fundraising support from my community has been simply amazing” said Conroy. A Claremont police officer was stepping on the field for the first time with his chief(Mark Chase) and captain(Brent Wilmot) and lots of family members and friends among the spectators attending the game. Michael Puksta combined his love for the “greatest job in the world” to playing the best sport ever all in one tonight. “ I couldn’t be more proud to wear this uniform tonight and represent my department, community and every police officer and family member across the state” said Puksta. Puktsta grew up in Claremont and played T-ball at Monadnock park and for Paul Silva at Stevens called today” just spectacular”.

“ I know first hand what Dartmouth Hitchcock means to so many people and to be able to support their programs makes me very happy to be able to do so” said Puksta.

Goshen firefighter Brandon Stocker, Sunapee police officer Ed Shaughnessy and Walpole’s Adam Kobeski all represented the area and Kobeski’s blast to deep right was by far the loudest hit of the evening for team fire.

All players collected plate appearances and saw time in the field but the most important part about this event was raising donations to support the programs at ChaD. Surpassing the goal of $135,000 this year, our local hero’s stepped up to the plate in a big way by claiming the top two sports for monies raised. Newport’s Conroy led all players with an amazing amount of nearly $7,000 raised followed closely by Shaughnessy with over $5,000. “ It’s unbelievable the compassion and support I get from my town for this event, my firefighters association donated $500 this year and it really shows me what this game is really all about” said Conroy.

This yearly event has raised over $700,000 since the first pitch in 2010 and began when Nashua firefighter Bill Shea just wanted to help CHaD to continue to offer the best medical care and family support in the state.

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