Reading PA Firefighters participate in IAFF Softball tournament for Muscular Dystrophy

The Prince George’s County Firefighters Local 1619 hosted their annual softball tournament to raise money for the Muscular Dystrophy Association. On September 8-11, 2005, 104 teams of firefighters and paramedics came together 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 around midnight after the championship game on Sunday. On Sunday morning, September 11, 2005, there was a moment of silence to remember the 343 firefighters that made the ultimate sacrifice in New York, some of which had attended the event the weekend prior to the attacks.

The tournament is the largest IAFF gathering of firefighters and paramedics outside of the International’s convention. Last year the tournament generated $85,000 which raised the total amount donated to $1,600,000 to Jerry’s Kids over 31 years from this tournament. The IAFF donates to MDA annually and has donated in excess of $20 million in the many years.

Several teams of firefighters and paramedics scheduled to play included teams from areas that have been devastated by Hurricane Katrina. The team from Mobile, Alabama and New Orleans had to cancel. Other teams had to adjust their rosters as some players from fire departments around the country dispatched firefighters and paramedics to assist rescue and recovery efforts in the region.

New Orleans is a fixture at the event and their absence was felt throughout the weekend, especially on Saturday night when the members usually host a Mardi Gras party and each year donate the proceeds to MDA. This year, members of several fire departments, including Reading, PA and New Rochelle, NY, assisted Philadelphia in filling in for our brothers from Louisiana and raised over $23,000.00 to assist the members effected by the hurricane.

On Thursday night, members of the Reading, PA team hosted a party which was originally intended to raise money for the MDA. Their 'Wings around the Ring' event allowed them to donate a significant amount to the Gulf Coast brothers as well as Muscular Dystrophy.

The Reading team also played in the tournament and repeated their performance from last year by gaining another 5th place spot. The team won their first four games against New Bedford, MA, Richmond, VA, New Rochelle, NY and Providence, RI. By Sunday afternoon, the field of teams was greatly narrowed when Reading met up with Cleveland, Ohio and then past tournament winner San Antonio, losing both games. The Reading players held their heads high as they received their plaque and the news that they had obtained a 5th place spot.

San Antonio went on to play in the championship game after being reduced to the losers bracket, and defeated last years winner FDNY Brothers Forever. FDNY went on to win the top spot in a second game.