The first Bladen “Battle of the Badges” Softball Tournament will take place on Sunday, Oct. 2, beginning at 9 a.m. at the Bladen County Park located on US Hwy. 701. There will be a worship service beginning at 8:30 a.m. and the Bladen County Honor Guard will present the colors.
All proceeds from the tournament go to support the improvements to the Bladen County Public Safety Training Center located at White Lake.
Chase Lancaster said that currently seven teams are committed to play. The cap for the tournament is eight teams. He said the idea was kicked off when the Elizabethtown Fire Department was invited to play in a tournament called Swamp Dog Fun which was for law enforcement, fire and EMS. The Swamp Dog Fun event was a fundraiser and Lancaster said the team learned the event raised several thousand dollars.
Lancaster said with the many needs at the Bladen County Public Safety Training Center located at White Lake, it was decided to attempt such a tournament here in Bladen County. Some of the needs at the facility include varying supplies and equipment.
Lancaster said the response and support of the event has been overwhelming.
There is only one caveat for teams wanting to play. “Everyone playing (on a team) has to be fire, law enforcement or EMS members,” said Lancaster. He added the tournament is open to anyone on a roster. Cost is $10 per person to play on a team.
In addition to the tournament, there will be Bounce Houses, food for purchase, and an auction. Lancaster said some of the items donated for auction include a softball bat, Bladen County Ducks Unlimited has donated some prints and a commemorative 9-11 hand painted duck is also available.
Lancaster said the work that has been performed at the facility thus far has been completed with generous contributions, donations and volunteers. He said the only item that has been paid for is the crane that was used to set the containers to build the training tower.
“Bladen County is 97 percent volunteers,” said Lancaster of the county’s fire service. Many of them have volunteered their time to work at the training center on various projects.
Southeastern Carolina Crossroads has also volunteered on the site assisting with classroom construction.
“Our (the Bladen County Firefighters Association) biggest thing is thanking our volunteers,” said Lancaster.
He added that the Bladen County Board of Commissioners have been supportive of the training center as well.
Donations can be made by cash or check made out to the Bladen County Firefighters Association. There are also sponsorship levels still available.
If you want to play on a team, make a donation or have questions about sponsorship, contact Chase Lancaster at 910-872-4978.
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