FIRE & POLICE DEPARTMENTS CHALLENGE EACH OTHER
IN 41st ANNUAL MEMORIAL SOFTBALL GAME
For the second year in a row Fort Wayne Firefighters are looking to take back the title Wednesday when the Fort Wayne Fire Department (FWFD) and the Fort Wayne Police Department (FWPD) challenge each other in the 41st Annual Rager-Stiverson Memorial Softball Game. The game will be played at the Main Diamond of Fort Wayne Turners (3636 Parnell Avenue) Wednesday, July 17 beginning with opening ceremonies at 6:30 p.m. and the game starting at 7 p.m.
The softball game, a family-friendly event, which pits firefighters against police officers, was originally played just for bragging rights. In 1973, the game was dedicated to honor Michael Thomas Rager, Fort Wayne Fire Department District Chief, and Patrolman Kenneth P. Stiverson, Fort Wayne Police Department, both of whom died in the line of duty while serving the citizens of Fort Wayne in 1972 and 1969 respectively.
Firefighters claim 2014 is the year for triumph and plan to win back the bragging rights and the 4-foot trophy that accompanies the win. Despite past valiant efforts the Fort Wayne Firefighters have fallen to the Fort Wayne Police by a score of 30 to 15 in 2013 and 23 to 18 in 2012.
