Page 40 - APRIL 2019 FOP MAGAZINE

The Sports Section
A Chicago police baseball doubleheader
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■ BY DAN CAMPANA
The boys in blue will soon be the boys of summer – once the Chicago weather cooperates enough for baseball season.
When it does, a pair of teams stacked with Chicago Police Of- ficers have big plans on the field with their talented rosters as they continue their work to support charities. The Chicago Fin- est enters its 20th season coming off a successful 2018, while the Chicago Police and Fire Baseball Club Knights debuts in 2019.
Each squad boasts a mix of veterans and young officers, many of whom boast Division I college playing experience. The De- partment’s recent addition of numerous new hires has helped create an influx of officers eager to hit the diamond.
Here’s a look at what police baseball fans can look forward to this season:
Finest reach milestone
Finest manager Vincent Macias doesn’t mince words about the group he’ll lead in 2019.
“This is by far our most talented team,” Macias said of his 50- man roster. “We look good. It’s a big year. I’m just trying to carry on the legacy.”
That’s saying a lot when you realize the Finest took home a gold medal at the Nevada Police and Fire Games by knocking off the Los Angeles Police Department last season. The Finest also picked up a thrilling win over the Chicago Fire Department in their annual showdown at Guaranteed Rate Field.
A new year brings new faces and new community initiatives, all while keeping a keen focus on raising money for the Chicago Police Memorial Foundation. The loss of four officers in the line of duty in 2018 has brought perspective and motivation for all players.
“You start to really reflect,” Macias said, noting how the team’s fundraising efforts help connect them with the families of fallen officers. “We embrace them, let them know that we’re here for them. It’s a consistent support system. We’re doing it for a great cause.”
In addition to the July 16 rematch against the firefighters at the home of the White Sox, the Finest will have another big event to support CPMF this summer. Macias shared plans for the Windy City Police and Fire World Series in August. Teams from Dallas, New York and Canada have already signed on to play.
While Finest players have been working out indoors to pre- pare for the season – they finally had some practice time outside in late March – they also spent part of the off-season mentoring young players during camps with the Horner Park Minoso Trav- elers and in the 4th District. It’s just another way to humanize police officers and share the love of the game.
“We feel it’s our duty to do (the camps),” Macias explained, adding that the players connected with the kids. “We have jobs. We have families. We work and live in the communities. We’re just a bunch of grown kids playing baseball.”
The team is more than just the games. Macias knows the new additions will become part of a support system, a brotherhood within a brotherhood, of officers who are there for one anoth- er – especially when the rigors of the job start to weigh heavily.
“If one baseball game can help rethink their self-worth, then it’s totally worth it,” Macias said.
40 CHICAGO LODGE 7 ■ APRIL 2019
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Chicago Finest players and kids together after their February clinic. p
The Finest captured the gold medal over Los Angeles at the 2018 Nevada Police and Fire Games.
Frigid weather outside didn’t keep the Knights from hosting a baseball camp with kids in the 4th District.
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