The FDNY and NYPD volleyball teams played for bragging rights and trophies in the third annual “Battle of the Badges.”
Photo credit: Gabriele Holterman
Bragging rights and trophies were at stake during the third annual “Battle of the Badges” between the New York City Police Department and the New York City, N.Y., volleyball team on Saturday, Feb. 24, at Maspeth High School in Elmhurst.
Tickets to the friendly game between New York's mightiest and bravest teams cost $10, and attendees had a chance to win raffle prizes including gift cards and baskets. This year's game, themed “Fidelity to Duty,” honors the heroes who have died in the line of duty over the years, with a portion of the proceeds going to the Police Benevolent Association and the FDNY Widows and Children's Fund.
Before the game began, FDNY volleyball coach Jerry Mattakota said the tournament is intended to foster community relations, boost morale between the NYPD and FDNY, and foster camaraderie and support between the two departments. he emphasized. Mattakota, a member of the United States Volleyball Coaches Association Hall of Fame, said that after the NYPD dance team video went viral, people questioned whether city funds were used to subsidize the dance group. In response, the dance team also touched on the recent uproar surrounding the dance team, and the dance team explained as follows. He receives no taxpayer funds, meets off-duty, and was scheduled to appear, but had to cancel due to illness.
“These are things that are not known to the people who are putting out the message, 'Why aren't they fighting crime?'” Fighting crime is about more than arresting people ,” Mattakota said. “It has to do with community work and support where people see us as human beings. Firefighters [and] Police officers are members of the community. They play ball, they have wives, they have kids, that's what's important here: morale. Unfortunately, contrary to a lot of opinion on the internet, this community is very pro-police and very pro-fire. ”
Mattakota said the team entered the game as “underdogs”.
“Okay, that's where we're going,” Matkata said.
Officer Malcolm Brissette Ortiz, head of the NYPD volleyball team, told QNS that volleyball is fun for police officers and firefighters and a way to break up their daily routine.
“I was doing [the] This event is primarily aimed at the mental health of both teams, firefighters and police officers,” explained Brissette Ortiz.
The NYPD team has taken home the coveted trophy twice in the past two years, and Brissette Ortiz explained that the team changed their routine a bit this year in order to achieve their third straight victory.
“We actually hired a coach and practiced a little bit differently,” Brissette Ortiz said. “So, the amount of practice has increased, and the number of members has also increased. I have 20 members.”
After the NYPD color guard announced the colors and played the national anthem, it was time for each team to show off their serve and dump skills in a best-of-five volleyball game.
NYPD won the first set 25-16. FDNY won the second set 25-22. NYPD took the third set 25-16. The game looked dicey for FDNY in the fourth set, and despite a spirited effort from the players in red, NYPD won 26-24, earning bragging rights and their third consecutive trophy.
Mattakota said it all came down to the NYPD's athleticism and the structure of the FDNY.
“At the end of the day, it was a close game,” Mattakota said. “Sometimes structure wins, and sometimes athleticism wins.”
Brissette Ortiz said it was “amazing” that the team won for the third time in a game against FDNY.
“It was a great battle. As you can see, it was a tough match. We gave it our all and brought home the trophy,” Brissette Ortiz proudly declared.
FDNY volleyball team captain David Hayes praised the NYPD for “getting some good players” and acknowledged that the FDNY team needs to improve its passing.
“I think when our passes were good, our offense was good, but we need to improve on our passing,” Hayes said. “But we practice on Wednesday. And that's what we practice. We've had a lot of injuries this year. Maybe what we can improve on is not getting hurt. Putting six guys together. It was difficult.”
Melissa, who did not want to give her last name, attended the game to cheer on her fiancé, who plays for the NYPD team.
“It's a great idea and a great fundraiser. A lot of people come out to support both sides,” Melissa said. “So it was nice to be able to watch the friendly.”
FDNY Lt. Jimmy Condit, who was cheering on his team from the sidelines, said it was a heartbreaking loss.
“[The FDNY team] Work hard, play hard, practice hard,” Condit said. “There are a lot of other people in the NYPD who get selected from a lot of people. They just have more applicants, and we're a smaller department compared to them. We'll have them again next year. I hope to see you and we can do better.”
