BEDFORD, N.H. – The game date and rosters are set for the 8th CHaD Battle of the Badges Baseball Classic presented by Faro Italian Grille. On Friday, August 10, police officers and firefighters from across the state meet up at the home of the New Hampshire Fisher Cats, Northeast Delta Dental Stadium, to raise money for programs at Children’s Hospital at Dartmouth-Hitchcock (CHaD). First pitch is at 6 PM and the game will be followed by a dazzling fireworks show.
This year marks the second straight that the game is being held on a Friday night, following record fundraising and attendance in 2017. Over $103,000 was generated at last year’s game, with $92,000 of it coming by virtue of the players. Nearly 2,000 people took in the game, played under the lights and with fireworks for the first time.
Tickets for the game are on sale now at the newly redesigned CHaDBaseball.org. Tickets are $10 each and kids 5 and under get in free. Additional opportunities to be involved in the game are available through sponsorship or by making a donation to a Badges player.
This year’s teams will look to beat the fundraising generated by the 2017 squads. Team Fire, under the guidance of Bill Shea (Nashua), won the fundraising battle a year ago, ensuring home field advantage for the ’18 game. On the field, the trophy belonged to Team Police, which will once again be led by Chris Heney (Meredith) and Steve Case (New Boston). A total of 45 players will raise at least $1,250 each for the privilege of playing in this year’s game. A full roster of players is available below.
The Baseball Classic is a key fundraiser for CHaD, generating funds for programs that typically would not exist without philanthropy. These programs include:·
Molly’s Place and CHaD Family Center – a playroom, resource center, and resting place for families before, between, and after appointments at Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center in Lebanon.
Child Advocacy and Protection Program – advocates for abused and neglected children, teaming with social workers, law enforcement, and other agencies to protect the most vulnerable population.
Child Life Program – provides a wide array of services for kids at CHaD, helping them prepare and relax for treatments and offering toys, games, and other activities while they are in the hospital.
Practices begin later this month with a scrimmage between the teams April 26 at Manchester Memorial High School. In addition to team practices, the squads will meet once per month for a scrimmage leading up to the game. Additional updates and information are on the game website and at www.facebook.com/CHaDBattleoftheBadges.
Team Police
Jeremy Ball Cheshire County DOC
Sean Benoit Londonderry
Austin Biery Salem
Anthony Casale Lyme
Steve Case New Boston
Joe Costanzo Merrimack County DOC
Kevin Faria Bradford
James Freda Londonderry
Justin Hallock Londonderry
Chris Heney Meredith
Lucas Ilges Hollis
Garrett Jewell Merrimack County DOC
Nathan Knezevic New Boston
Curtis Mailloux Gilford
Travis Mannon Hooksett
Danielle Normand Hillsboro
Chris Pieniazek Dover
Nick Roussel Goffstown
Ed Shaughnessy Bradford
George Stevens Carroll County Sheriff’s Office
Derek Sullivan Haverhill
Tony Torino Merrimack County DOC
Jack Wagoner Londonderry
Erik Willett NH State Police
First year players in italics
Team Fire
Matt Barsaleau Auburn
Corey Conroy Newport
Brian Cottrell Barnstead
Alex Dria Campton-Thornton
Norm Dumais Strafford
Dan Goonan Manchester
Colton Houle Salem
Adam Kobeski Lempster
Robert LaBelle Swanzey
Zach Lobdell Concord
Jon Lopez Manchester
Steve Maffee Goffstown
Duane Marsh Strafford
Connor O’Brien Goffstown
Rich Racine Manchester
Mick Sanchez Swanzey
Brian Schofield Londonderry
Chris Schofield Londonderry
Bill Shea Nashua
Josh Tapley Wakefield
Seth Wentworth Barrington