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It's badge vs. badge in New Port Richey

By Mike Camunas, Times Staff Writer
In print: Tuesday, April 22, 2008

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NEW PORT RICHEY

These guys, for March for Babies, will be marching up and down the field.

The New Port Richey Police Department and the New Port Richey Fire Department will pit themselves in the Battle of the Badges, a head-to-head battle royale Saturday for charity.

"It was a lot of talking between the guys to get a football game," said Lt. Bob Vanek of the Fire Department. "And then the talk moved to us sponsoring it for the March for Babies walk, and really it's just turned into a big fundraiser to help get money to the March of Dimes. It really is great that all of this could come together."

Sgt. Steve Kostas of the Police Department had been looking to get the two departments to play each other for some time.

"We normally help out with the March of Dimes every year," said Kostas, who will be playing quarterback. "I said to my guys last year, 'I think it would be neat to play the Fire Department in some kind of game for charity.' "

So when Caiti Thompson, an organizer of March of Dimes from Publix, strolled into the police station and asked, "You guys ever play the Fire Department in basketball or something and donate the money to charity?" metaphorical sirens went off.

Thompson was then introduced to Kostas, and the Battle of the Badges was born.

This is the inaugural game, and Kostas says the two departments have raised nearly $8,000 since the end of January.

"This is for a good cause that is right up our alley," Vanek said. "It's great these two departments came together on this and hopefully we can stick together for the next fundraiser."

But don't expect this game to be all joking around and knee-slapping. Make no mistake, each team is looking for a win.

"Oh, of course they're been smack-talking and each team looking for bragging rights," Vanek said with a laugh. "We've got to have some fun with this."

Vanek says the Fire Department's best player is its quarterback, Sean Pipp. "He has speed, he has height," Vanek said. "He's got a little background, a little history in football, because he can pretty much do it all."

Kostas isn't worried.

"Yeah, we're going to have a good time. There's really no doubt about that," Kostas said.

"And really it's about the money and getting it to charity. There will probably be some jawing on the field and some looking for bragging rights, but we're going to enjoy this."

But neither team is looking to sell a pregame, Joe Namath-esque guarantee.

"It's going to be lots of scoring, I think," Vanek said. "I'm going to let the boys do the talking instead of my words. We still have to play this game, but I think, I know we're all looking forward to it."

Bragging and big talk aside, this is still a game for charity. Each member will be playing hard, probably laughing hard as well.

And that's all well and good as long as the March of Dimes benefits from the theatrics of New Port Richey's finest.

"Typical with flag football there usually is" smack-talking, Kostas said. "It'll be there, but, like them, really no one on my team has ever played flag football seriously. … I hope to do some stomping, but like I said, it's all for the kids. We'll be keeping them in mind amid our fun."

Submit story ideas and feedback to Community Sports Editor Mike Camunas at mcamunas@sptimes.com or call (352) 544-9480.