On Sept. 23 at Ichiro “Iron” Maehara Baseball Stadium, police and firefighters will compete in the annual Battle of the Badges Softball Tournament.

WAILUKU – On Saturday, Sept. 23, players from the Maui Police Department and Maui Fire Department will face off in a long-awaited rematch softball tournament to benefit the Pacific Cancer Foundation.

Gates open at 4:30 p.m., and the game starts at 6 p.m. at the Ichiro “Iron” Maehara Baseball Stadium in Wailuku. There will be a great selection of local food vendors, fun for the kids, and of course, the entertaining main event – watching our brave police officers and firefighters go toe-to-toe in a fun but very competitive softball game.

Entry is $5 for adults, $3 for kids 12 and under, or free with the purchase of a 2017 Go Pink! MPD or MFD T-shirt. You will also receive free entry if you bring one canned good (per person) to donate to the Maui Food Bank.

This year, police officers have been training hard in the hopes of breaking the MFD’s winning streak.

Maui Police Chief Tivoli Faaumu (laughingly) said, “Our strategy for many years has been to play it cool, but this year that changes. We have an awesome team and we are ready to win.”

But on a more serious note, “We hope that the Maui community come out and support the event on Sept. 23, as well as help us to Paint the Island Pink during the month of October.”

Maui Fire Chief Jeff Murray joked, “To quote Yogi Berra, ‘Ninety percent of this game is half mental.’ And we are always up for some friendly competition with the MPD. But in all seriousness, we are all just coming together to support the patients and survivors of Maui’s cancer community with the help of Pacific Cancer Foundation.”

PCF provides much-needed support services in Maui County, such as patient navigation, visiting specialists, nutritional support, transportation, wellness classes and support groups for the entire family.

“There is such a great need for what we offer. We want to be able to reach all of our Maui community when they need us,” said Nancy La Joy, executive director of Pacific Cancer Foundation.

“This event really helps get the word out that we are here to help, and the funds go directly to help families who have been touched by cancer. We are so grateful!”

For more information, contact the Pacific Cancer Foundation at 242-7661 or visit www.pacificcancerfoundation.org.

PCF is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization whose mission is to provide access, knowledge and support to all those whose lives have been touched by cancer in Maui County. All services are provided free of charge, and all funds raised stay right here in Maui County.