It's firefighters vs.police officers in annual charity softball game

Cpl. Jeff Shewchuk wasn’t happy when the Taylor police softball team lost for the second straight year to the Taylor firefighters team.

But his competitive nature was soothed when he discovered that the money raised from the game for the Make-A-Wish Foundation provided a trip to Florida for a 6-year-old girl battling leukemia.

“She got to go to Florida with the money we raised,” Shewchuk said. “I saw photos. It gives you a great feeling when you can actually see where the money went.”

The first two Taylor police-firefighter softball games raised about $5,000. The third annual game is scheduled for Saturday, October 10, at Rotary Park, 12211 Telegraph Road behind the Metro South State Police Post.

The home run derby begins at 6 p.m., followed by a nine-inning softball game at 7:30.

Tickets are $5 each, available in advance at the Taylor Police Station and Midtown Fire Station on Goddard Road, east of City Hall. Donations to Make-A-Wish also are accepted.

The police officers are unbeaten against the firefighters in charity soccer and hockey games, but they’re winless in two softball games. The firefighters won 15-11 in 2007. Last year, they won 11-9 with late-inning heroics.

Both teams play to win. Firefighter Ron Evina said the team in red is filled with experienced softball players who played in tournaments in leagues.

“We want people to come and have a good time,” Evina said. “The firefighters are athletic. Some are still active players. Ultimately, it comes down to we’re both competitive and we want to win.”

Shewchuk said the police team will do what it takes to win as well.

“I actually talked to Chief (Dale) Tamsen to see if we can hire Brandon Inge for a couple months,” Shewchuk said. “The games were competitive. Hopefully, we can catch some breaks this year and capitalize on them.”

Concessions will be available. All of the proceeds benefit Make-A-Wish, which enriches the lives of children with life-threatening medical conditions by granting wishes.

“It’s a great charity – a fantastic organization,” Evina said. “You’re granting a kid a wish.”

“The worst part of our job is anything to do with kids – when a kid gets hurt or has to go through some sort of traumatic event,” Shewchuk said. “It’s awful when you meet a child with a terminal illness. Seeing the money go toward Make-A-Wish makes everybody feel great.”

Firefighter Ron Evina and Cpl. Jeff Shewchuk are team captains.