Small vs. Tall can equal lots of fun

By Anne Eickstadt

ANNE EICKSTADT PHOTO Belvidere Republican
Police, firefighters, Jen Jacky, executive director of Belvidere Family YMCA, and the kids of the kickball teams join together for a group photo during halftime.

Editor

The free lunches for kids have had a great start at General Mills Park with the YMCA running them four days a week and the Belvidere Police Dept. sponsoring the Friday lunches. Jen Jacky of the YMCA sent out releases listing some of the many games and activities she planned on having at the lunches.

When Belvidere Police Chief Woody heard that kickball was one of the activities she was planning, he said, “Let me know when you play kickball. I’ll play. It will be fun to get out there with the kids and have a good time with them.”

Manley’s Belvidere Ford-Lincoln grilled burgers and hot dogs for everyone on Friday, June 21 when the police and the firefighters were ready to face off. The YMCA had brought out several games to keep people amused before the game. A crowd of parents, mostly mothers, was on hand to witness the epic battle. Several police officers came out to join Officer Friendly, and then, Chief Shane Woody arrived. Several firefighters rode in with a fire engine.

Originally intended to be a ‘Battle of the Badges” with the police playing against the fire department (with kids on both sides), the kids decided that they wanted to be on one side and play against both the police and the firefighters – kids against the adults.

Once they made that decision, the trash talking began (the kids started it) with the adults responding in kind. Then everyone moved out to the playing field and the real competition began.

The police/firefighters covered the bases and the backfield like pros. During the first inning, the kids kicked the ball and an adult would catch it before it reached the ground. A kid ran for the bases and would promptly get tagged out. 1 – 2 – 3…. and it was time to switch. Again, the adults displayed great skills and ran the bases to rack up points.

Then the kids got their act together for the second inning and the entire game changed.

They kicked the ball and the adults would fumble it or miss it entirely. They ran for the bases and the…

For complete article, pick up the June 27 Belvidere Republican.