WORCESTER—The rivalry may be fierce, but the impact goes far beyond the scoreboard. On Monday, Sept. 8, Worcester’s police and fire departments take the field at Polar Park for their 4th annual charity baseball game—an event that has quickly become a Central Massachusetts tradition.
What began in 2022 as a friendly fundraiser has grown into a major community effort. In its inaugural year, the Worcester teams partnered with Country Bank and the WooSox to raise nearly $16,000 for the newly formed Manny 267 Foundation, established after the tragic Green Hill Park drowning in 2021. The foundation equips police cruisers with flotation devices (known as Manny Tubes) that are already making a difference.
In March of this year, Shrewsbury police and fire successfully deployed a Manny Tube during a Lake Quinsigamond rescue. Days later, Auburn Police used the same device to save another life in Stoneville Reservoir.
“To date, the game has generated over $45,000 for the Manny 267 Foundation, Why Me & Sherry’s House, and the Worcester Firefighters Memorial Fund,” the announcement noted. “These contributions have provided life-saving tools, supported families battling childhood cancer, and honored Worcester’s fallen heroes.”
The event has become more than just baseball. It’s about honoring legacies, funding critical tools, and showing the strength of a community when its first responders step up together.
This year’s showdown promises plenty of action. Gates open at 4:30 p.m., with first pitch at 6:05 p.m. at Polar Park. Tickets support the same causes that make the game matter.
“This year’s game at Polar Park is more than just a baseball game,” according to the release. “It’s an opportunity for our hometown heroes to use America’s pastime to save lives, honor legacies, and give back to our community.”
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