Details announced for Battle of the Badges for the FirstStates Cup Game Feb. 24

Reading Police and Fire take on Allentown squads on Sun., Feb. 24

Reading, PA – The Reading Royals announced Tuesday the Battle of the Badges XIV for the FirstStates Cup will take place on Sun., Feb. 24 at 12:30 p.m., with the Reading Police and Fire Department facing the Allentown Police and Fire Department. Immediately following the Battle of the Badges, the Royals host Adirondack at 4:00 p.m. One ticket gains entry into both games and a portion of every ticket sold from the game benefits the Battle of the Badges Scholarship Fund established to help the children of firefighters and police officers. Tickets to the doubleheader are available by calling 610-898-PUCK (7825) or visiting http://bit.ly/Battle19“The men that play in these games are our local heroes and we are honored to partner with FirstStates Financial and the Reading and Allentown departments for the 14th straight year,” said Royals President and General Manager Shawn Hackman. “The Battle of the Badges Scholarship fund is essential to help make our community strong by supporting the role models that participate in this annual game and we are looking forward to another fun contest this season.”This is the third straight year the Reading Police and Fire Departments face off against the Allentown squads and the series is tied, 1-1. Last season, Allentown earned its first win against Reading, 3-2, with a go-ahead goal from Allentown’s Dan Roach in the final five minutes. In 2017, Reading Police and Fire won a nail-biter, 7-6, in the first edition of “Reading vs. Allentown”.Why 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 scholarship funds.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