L.A. vs. New York Police Baseball Games a Hit for Charity

Oct. 22--It was a showdown of sorts between the East Coast and the West Coast, the pitting of two of the largest police forces in the U.S. against each other.

The Los Angeles Police Department's Centurions took on the New York Police Department's Finest at Griffith Park in a friendly baseball tournament to benefit charity.

The Los Angeles Sheriff's Department's Hooks and a civilian team, the Pasadena Redbirds, also took part in the four-game tourney that is raising money for toys, food, entertainment and baseball clinics for needy children and their families throughout the San Fernando Valley this Christmas season.

"It's for the kids to be able to get some fun, and to show them that police aren't just out there arresting people," said Officer Cesar Corona of LAPD's Valley Bureau. "It's to let them know we're approachable."

The games will end off the field tonight with a charity poker tournament from which organizers hope to raise $5,000 for Project Living Hope, a San Fernando-based nonprofit that will hold a toy giveaway for needy children in December.

"This is so big for us, the fact that NYPD would come fly out here and help us," said Pastor Janel Meza of Living Hope Community Church. "It just shows us that New York is the best, too."

They continue slugging it out today, when five players each from the Centurions, the Finest and the Sheriff's Department's Hooks go against the Pasadena Redbirds in an all-star game at Griffith Park.

LAPD won Thursday's game, but lost to the Centurions 10-5 in seven innings Friday. The L.A. Sheriff's Department's Hooks lost both their games against the other teams.

No official records or statistics are kept, but the LAPD and NYPD have been neck and neck in wins against each other in the seven years they've met on the field, both sides concede.

"They're really competitive, but both teams are really competitive," said Officer Mike Scott of LAPD's Mission Division. "This is no Sunday league ball. These are our brothers off the field, but on the field, it's competitive. We're really trying to beat each other."

Still, despite the intense competitiveness on the diamond, very few of the officers from either the Finest or Centurions who were on the field Friday will call what they have a rivalry.

"A rivalry is more like the Yanks against the Red Sox, where they don't get along," said Jose Vazquez, a retired NYPD officer who now manages the Finest. "We actually love these guys. This is a bonding of brotherhoods, the brotherhood from the East Coast with the brotherhood of the West Coast."

The two teams have flown to each other's respective cities to participate in tournaments and other charitable causes, with the players paying out of their own pockets. The Centurions have shown the Finest around town during their nearly weeklong stay, going to theme parks, dining out and showing them L.A.'s nightlife at clubs and lounges.

Their good-natured ribbing in the dugout after the games -- making fun of weight, height and facial features -- is more reminiscent of a group of old friends.

"We all realize that, that each of us, when we go back to our jobs, we're faced with a potential life-and-death situation," said Sgt. Ernest Fischer of LAPD's North Hollywood Division, who coaches the Centurions. "To be able to come out here and play this game that we all love, it's why we do it.

"It allows you to relax and forget about the last radio call and the next radio call," Fischer said. "You come out here and just think about learning to hit this kid's fastball."

To donate to Project Living Hope, visit www.thehopeinyou.com.