Crime & Safety

Blue vs. Red: Fire Snaps 3 Year Skid, Wins 12-9

The Seventh Annual Blue vs. Red game raised money for the Will County Chapter of the Muscular Dystrophy Association.

Mokena firefighters finally have a reason to brag while around their local law enforcement counterparts.

On a sunny afternoon at Mokena's Main Park, with a healthy handful of residents out for the seventh annual Blue vs. Red charity softball game, the Mokena Fire Protection District finally snapped a three-year losing streak.

But the rivalry is friendly, as the yearly sporting event between Mokena Police Department and Fire District is a benefit for the Will County chapter of the Muscular Dystrophy Association. Sports memorabilia, gift cards, and a Play Station 3 were among items up for bids at a silent auction with proceeds going to the association.

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"It gets better every year. We're very competitive," Detective Jeff Kowalczyk said. "Everybody loves to play ball. It's a great cause, and it's great for the kids. The community steps up."

He and Mokena Fire Lieutenant Tom Hug have organized the event the last seven years.

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"Jeff and I have been a part of this event every year. All the guys like to come together and play ball," said Beth Kowalczyk, wife of Det. Kowalczyk. "All the local businesses and donate products or services for the silent auction."

While the game is for bragging rights and a traveling Dalmatian trophy, it also gives the police and firefighters a chance to relax.

"It's all about fun and raising money for the MDA," Hug said. "That's what we really care about. The win is just icing on the cake. I want to thank everyone for coming out and supporting MDA. It's about giving back to the community and that's what it's all about."

Master of ceremonies Tony Z. Kroll kept the crowd entertained with facts about Mokena's civil servants, such as about half of them grew up playing little league baseball at Main Park.

The big blow of the game for the fire district came in the first inning, when the fire district's Mike Berg launched a grand slam to put the Reds ahead 6-0, and they never looked back from that point. The police were drawn closer by Chief Randy Rajewski's three-run double later in the game.


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