BOULDERS TO AGAIN HOST ANNUAL NYPD-FDNY GAME
Rockland County, NY (August 25, 2021) – This weekend, the New York Boulders will again play host to the annual Never Forget Heroes Baseball Classic between the New York Police Department (NYPD) and the Fire Department of New York (FDNY).
This year’s edition of the Never Forget Heroes Baseball Classic is scheduled to be played at Palisades Credit Union Park in Pomona on Saturday, Aug. 28. First pitch is set for 6:30 p.m. It is the second successive year that the rivalry has been renewed at PCU Park.
Last September, the game was played at Palisades Credit Union Park for the first time with the FDNY holding on for a 12-10 win
PCU Park’s gates will open this Saturday at 4:30 p.m., with pre-game entertainment provided by local band The Narrowbacks.
The game between the NYPD and FDNY is held each year in memory of those who paid the ultimate sacrifice after responding to the World Trade Center area on Sept. 11, 2001, with this year’s edition holding special meaning to each team as we approach the 20th anniversary of the attack.
“We are happy and excited to be back at Palisades Credit Union Ballpark this year,” NYPD Baseball President Jose Vazquez said. “We look forward to having this game this year with no restrictions and getting a full capacity crowd as we honor and remember those who lost their lives on the 20th Anniversary of 9/11.”
Vazquez added, “September 11th, not only the 20th Anniversary, but every year we reflect and honor the memories those who lost their lives on that tragic day. We will never forget.”
The first game of the series between the NYPD and FDNY was played back in 1999 at St. John’s University in Queens with the NYPD winning 6-5. The following summer, the match was contested at the College of Staten Island with the FDNY copping a 12-5 victory. There was no game played in 2001 because of the attack.
Starting in 2002, the yearly match-up was played at MCU Park in Brooklyn. Overall, the NYPD holds an 11-10 edge in the series.
“We had a great response last year to the game (at PCU Park), so we were excited to be invited back,” FDNY Manager Scott Miller said. “As far as this being the 20th anniversary of 9/11, I can’t believe it.”
Miller continued, “When I took over the team in 2002, I didn’t know what to expect. Could we get new players? Would people come out to see our game? The answer was yes - and we have received a lot of support over the past 20 years.
On Sept. 11, 2001, the FDNY team lost two members – Andre Fletcher and Mike Weinberg.
Rockland County Executive Ed Day is set to throw out the ceremonial first pitch prior to the game.
Proceeds from the game will go to the NYPD and FDNY teams, as well as the Widows and Children’s Fund and the Stephen Siller Foundation. Tickets are priced at $12 and can be purchased by sliding to the Boulders’ website at www.NYBoulders.com.
Palisades Credit Union Park, Rockland County’s premier outdoor family entertainment center, features drive in fireworks, movies, baseball and more.
Information regarding tickets to individual New York Boulders’ games, as well 2022 season tickets and packages are available by calling 845-364-0009 or sliding to www.NYBoulders.com. Individual game tickets are on sale now.
Debuting in 1993, the Frontier League is the largest and longest-running of the modern independent leagues and features teams stretching from the Atlantic Ocean to the Mississippi River and from the Ohio River to the St. Lawrence Seaway. In September of 2020, the Frontier League reached an agreement to become a “Partner League” with Major League Baseball.
As a “Partner League,” the Frontier League and its teams will meet on a regular basis with MLB representatives to discuss joint marketing and promotional opportunities, as well as collaborate on initiatives to provide organized baseball to communities throughout the United States and Canada.
More information can be found at www.frontierleague.com.