Battle of the Badges Press Conference for the FirstStates Cup on Tues., Feb. 5 at 1:00 p.m.

Reading Police and Fire take on Allentown squads for third straight year for the FirstStates Cup and to benefit Battle of the Badges Scholarship Fund

Reading, PA – The Reading Royals will host a press conference on Tues., Feb. 5 at 1:00 p.m. at Santander Arena to announce details for their “Battle of the Badges XIV” for the FirstStates Cup game. Fans and media are invited to attend.For the third straight year, the Battle of the Badges pits the Reading Police and Fire Department against the Allentown Police and Fire Department on Sun., Feb. 24 at 12:30 p.m., followed by the Royals and Adirondack Thunder at 4:00 p.m. Reading and Allentown each have one win in the all-time series. After Reading won the first meeting in 2017, Allentown struck back last season with a go-ahead goal in the final five minutes to earn a 3-2 win.

Battle of the Badges XIV for the FirstStates Cup Press ConferenceTime, Location: Tues., Feb. 5 at 1:00 p.m. at Santander Arena, Main Arena Entrance StairwellFormat: 20 minutes, followed by individual question and answerInvited: all mediaWho: Reading Police Department, Reading Fire Department, Allentown Police Department, Allentown Fire Department, Reading Royals front officeGuests: Shawn Hackman – Reading Royals President and General Manager | Bud Bullock- First States Financial Services, Sponsor of the FirstStates Cup | Josh Faust-Reading Police Department | Andrew Rebuck-Reading Fire Department | Stuart Bansnu-Reading Fire Department | Ray Ferraro- Allentown Police Department | Mike Pychinka-Allentown Fire DepartmentAfter the game on Feb. 24, the Royals host Faith and Family Night at 4:00 p.m. vs. WorcesterWhy did the game begin?The BOB Game began in 2006 as a benefit game played in remembrance of fallen Reading Police Officer Michael H. Wise II, who died in the line of duty in June of 2004, and Reading Police Officer Scott A. Wertz who was fatally wounded in the line of duty in August of 2006.  The game also raises funds for the police and fire departments Battle of the Badges Scholarship Fund.SeriesThe all-time series between the Reading Police and Fire Departments and the Allentown squads is tied, 1-1. Allentown won in Feb. 2018, 3-2. In the historical matchup between the Reading Fire Department and Reading Police Department, Fire won the series 6-4-1.  

Dates and Scores

February 19, 2006             Fire                  3          Police              3 (tie)

February 18, 2007             Fire                  4          Police              2

February 17, 2008             Fire                  3          Police              2

February 15, 2009             Fire                  4          Police              2

February 28, 2010             Police              6          Fire                  0

February 17, 2011             Fire                  3          Police              2 (shootout win)

February 26, 2012             Fire                  3          Police              2

February 10, 2013             Police              6          Fire                  2

March 16, 2014                 Police              8          Fire                  6

March 8, 2015                   Fire                  4          Police              3

March 6, 2016                   Police              6          Fire                  2

March 5, 2017                   Reading           7          Allentown       6

February 18, 2018             Allentown       3          Reading           2