The 33th Annual IAFF-MDA Softball Tournament, hosted by Prince George’s County, MD Local 1619 at Watkins Regional Park in Kettering, Maryland, was held on September 8-10, 2006. 102 teams of firefighters and paramedics gathered to play softball and raise money to fight neuromuscular diseases. Teams traveled from all over the U.S. and Canada to participate with their brothers and sisters. Games began on Friday and ended with the championship games for the open and over 40 categories on Sunday.
The tournament is the largest IAFF gathering of firefighters and paramedics outside of the International’s convention. The Firefighters raise thousands each year for the Muscular Dystrophy Association from the tournament. To date, Prince George Firefighters have donated more than $1,600,000 to Jerry’s Kids over the many years of this tournament. The International Association of Firefighters is a long standing partner with the Muscular Dystrophy Association, in 2006, a record $23.6 million was presented to Jerry Lewis at the annual telethon.
On Thursday night, at the campgrounds in the park, members of the Reading, PA team hosted a party in their campsite to raise money for MDA. Their 'Wings around the Ring' event allowed them to donate more than $800.00 to Muscular Dystrophy.
The Reading team also played in the tournament and despite losing several key players that helped them finish in a fifth place tie in the past two years, the team still managed to pull off a two win and two loss record.
We want to thank everyone who helped us make this tournament and our efforts to raise contributions for these worthy causes possible. The team and everyone who attended cannot express how much we appreciate your assistance. Although all the members who attended contributed in some way, we want to mention the following, FFs K. Miller, M. Planer, R. Banks, D. Kochel, M. Shoumlisky, J. Batz, S. Hart and B. Smith. Also the Beverly Hills Tavern and Ret. PG Firefighter George Nutter.
