Page 20 - French and Electric Blue - Winter 2017-2018

Softball Sluggers Take the Field

in Charity Tourney in Maryland

By Major Deb Rebeiro

The Maryland State Police recently hosted players so that all could participate. Over the
the Massachusetts State Police Women’s Softball years, team members from participating states
Team, among other squads, at the 16 annual have become close friends and enjoyed what has
th
Women’s State Police Charity Softball Tournament been referred to as “the sisterhood” of women
held at Laurel Springs Park in Charles County. in law enforcement. In the end, New York State
Police, with a little bit of help
The tournament took from New Jersey, took home
place September 16- 17, the first place trophy.
2017 and included women’s
state police softball teams The tournament
from Connecticut, Delaware, raised more than $13,000,
North Carolina, Pennsylvania, which was donated to two
Maryland, Massachusetts, charities, UEmpower of
New Jersey, New Hampshire, Batter up! Maryland and LifeStyles,
New York, Virginia, and first- Inc. UEmpower is a multi-
time participant Michigan. program organization
The Massachusetts team included current and that includes food rescue, youth empowerment,
retired members of the department. and family relief. LifeStyles, Inc., located in La
Plata, Maryland, is a nonprofit organization
Colonel William Pallozzi, Superintendent that supports people in crisis by providing
of the Maryland State Police, welcomed the teams emergency assistance and, through partnerships,
during opening ceremonies. What followed was provides referrals for health and human service
two days of competitive fun. The tournament needs. LifeStyles signature programs include the
renewed old, friendly rivalries and provided an Samaritan Program, a food and clothing service,
opportunity for female state troopers to cross state and Safe Nights, an overnight shelter program. The
lines and enjoy the benefits of networking and troopers also collected a pickup truck full of food
camaraderie common to such events. For those items which were donated to a local food bank.
teams that showed up with insufficient numbers,
other teams filled in the gaps, loaning their own This
tournament began
16 years ago with
only four state
police teams. This
year, 10 teams
took to the field.
Team members
look forward to
next year’s trip to
Michigan, as the
women of Michigan

Mass SP and Virgina SP State Police will
host the 2018
tournament.
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