Eau Claire Firefighters Packer All-Pro Softball Team
Where: Carson Park - Eau Claire,WI
When: May 18th, 2008 - 2pm
TICKETS ON SALE NOW AT:
SCHEELS
ALL 3 GORDYS COUNTY MARKET STORES
EAU CLAIRE EXPRESS OFFICE
Tickets are $15/each (6 yrs & under free)
Questions?? Call Jeff Dykes 715-225-9823
It has just been announced that the Eau Claire Firefighters State Softball Team has scheduled a fundraiser softball game against the NFC North Champions Green Bay Packers. Although Packer players have not been confirmed, last year's Packer team consisted of names such as: A.J. Hawk, Atari Bibgy, Nick Barnett, Tramone Williams, Vernon Morency, Aaron Rouse, Ruvell Martin, Micheal Montgomery.
The 2007 School for workers was held in Madison Wisconsin, Local 487 was represented by Brothers Vargo, Rondeau, Olson, Pettis and President Hanson.
The 3 day School consisted of sessions on topics such as GASB 45, Reality Bargaining Strategies, Bargaining Health Insurance and Promotional Procedures.
A Legislative briefing was also give by PFFW president Gale and Lobbyist Joe Strohl, union representives present were then asked to meet with their respective legislators and revisit the important issues attached to the current budget debacle that has been so damaging.
Local 487 met with (D)Sen. Vinehout (31st Senate District) and (D)Sen. Kreitlow (23rd Senate District) Vinehout and Kreitlow were understanding of the issues at hand and were extremely concerned with the budget process and the effects to public servants. We were welcomed into (R)Terry Moulton (68th Assembly District) however Moulton had vacated Madison and was unable to be contacted info was left with his staff.
Overall the school was an eye opening and very educational experience for all, to be able to watch and be a part of the process and to understand the issues that lay ahead.
Pictured: (Back row L-R: Tom Rebischke, Jaime Burkhardt, Bob Pratt, Jeff Dykes, Brian Vesper, Lyle Koerner)
(Front row L-R: Brian Phillips, Tm Brantner, Tony Biasi, Jeff Patrow, Matt Jagger)
On August 4th, 2007, the Eau Claire Firefighters hosted the annual Professional Firefighters of Wisconsin charity softball tournament. With 17 fire departments represented state-wide from Green Bay to Brookfield, from Beloit to LaCrosse, teams congregated at Casper Park in Chippewa Falls for a day of competition and fundraising. Cloudy skies threatened throughout the day but only an occasional mist could be felt. Those same clouds kept seasonal temperatures at bay with highs only reaching the low 70's.
The Eau Claire Firefighters made quick work of their early opponents of North Shore and Madison before running into a talented Appleton team. With timely hits and stringent defense, the Eau Claire Firefighters were able to defeat the 2006 2nd place finisher by a score of 18-15. Up next in the semi-final game was the perennial powerhouse West Allis; who won the state championship 7 times in the past 11 years. In 2006 it was this same West Allis team that eliminated the Eau Claire team, thus demoting them to a 3rd place finish. With both undefeated teams struggling to put runs on the board and exceptional defense throughout, the Eau Claire Firefighters found themselves on top by the smallest of margins; 4-3. West Allis being the veteran group of competitors they are, quickly took care of business in the loser's bracket eliminated Appleton, thus sizing up a rematch of the earlier 4-3 game between themselves and the Eau Claire team.
The championship game proved to be quite different than the earlier match-up. The Eau Claire Firefighters jumped out to a quick lead. After 3 innings, Eau Claire found themselves up by a score of 10-0, but they couldn't hold the powerful West Allis team down for long. In each consecutive inning, West Allis chipped away at the lead before heading into the last inning down by 5 runs. Quickly West Allis scored 2 runs in combination with some uncharacteristic errors by the Eau Claire team. With runners on 2nd and 3rd and down by 2 runs with 2 outs, Tom 'Rabi' Rebischke conduced a long fly ball to outfielder Tim Brantner for the 3rd and final out, thus solidifying Eau Claire's first PFFW State Softball Championship with a score of 13-11.
The Muscular Dystrophy Association was named the primary charity organization of this year's tournament. Tournament Coordinator Jeff Dykes stated that once all the bills have been paid and the dust settles, the Eau Claire Firefighters hope to have a sizable check upwards of $1,000 to donate to the hard working and dedicated charity. This is the first time the Professional Firefighters of Wisconsin's State Softball Tournament has been hosted in the Chippewa Valley. Also interestingly enough, this was the first year that the host team won the championship.
The Eau Claire Firefighters would like to thank all of the local businesses that helped with donations to make this event a success.
On Saturday May 12th, representatives from the Eau Claire Firefighters Local 487 partook in a fundraiser softball game versus a team made up of Green Bay Packers.The event was scheduled to raise money for the Professional Firefighters of Wisconsin (PFFW).Armed with new uniforms and rusty arms from the long winter, the Eau Claire Firefighters took the field under a pleasant and sunny sky in front of over 2000 spectators.
The mood of both teams was both jovial and lighthearted.Wise cracks and jokes could be heard throughout both dugouts.With smiles aplenty, the Packers took the field for some batting practice and fan entertainment prior to the contest giving the firefighters a chance to mingle and small talk with the Packer players.Since the Packers did not bring gloves or bats, such equipment had to be shared between the two teams.Watching the Packer players trying to fit their oversized hands into the firefighter’s gloves was entertaining all in its own.Many fans found simply watching the speed of athletic Packer players a treat.Deep fly balls driven to the power gaps by the firefighters, which would normally mean extra bases, found streaks of green and gold flagging the ball down.Although out matched in speed, skill and agility, the firefighters were able to match the Green Bay Packer team run for run through most of the game before falling behind once and for all.After nine innings complete, the firefighters found themselves on the losing end to the tune of 5-3
The firefighters were able to meet and greet the Packer players up close and personnel when they found themselves sharing a locker room with the NFL athletes.“Having the opportunity to talk with the Packers one on one and actually having a conversation with them was something I didn’t expect” stated one firefighter.
After the contest had concluded, both teams retreated to the locker room where the firefighters were given the chance to secure numerous autographs on their favorite Green Bay Packer paraphernalia.Then after a quick snack that entailed pulled pork, turkey drumsticks, hamburgers, hot dogs, and an assortment of beverages, the Packer players reemerged for the spectators.A line over a city block long had formed; each fan waiting for a chance at securing an autograph from their favorite Packer player.Over an hour later the line was down to a few late comers and everyone was on their way home happy with a new coveted autograph.
The Eau Claire Firefighters were chosen from over 20 different full-time fire departments state wide.Three different venues are scheduled to be played across Wisconsin this spring, with the EC Firefighters qualifying due to a 3rd place finish in last year’s PFFW State Softball Tournament.One firefighter had to say, “This was just a great privilege to be asked by the PFFW to represent our state organization.The Packer players treated us great.We hope to have the opportunity to play again in the future.”
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