WORCESTER, MA — The 5th annual "Police vs. Firefighters Baseball Classic" is set for Polar Park on Friday, September 25, this year benefiting the family of the late Worcester Police Officer Kurt Solomon, who tragically passed away last month.
The event begins with the 5:30 p.m. procession from St. John’s Church to the field at Polar Park. First pitch is expected at 6 p.m. Gates open at 4:30 p.m. Tickets are on sale now for $10 at polarpark.com/policefire.
The winning team receives a coveted trophy on the field after the game, and a “Paul Scully Most Valuable Player” will also be presented. The award is named for the former President and Chief Executive Officer of Country Bank, a founding partner of the WooSox. Scully, who spent 28 years with the financial institution, played an instrumental role in establishing the annual community event at Polar Park.
In addition to Officer Solomon, the WooSox will pay tribute to the “Worcester 6,” the firefighters who made the ultimate sacrifice on December 3, 1999, during the Worcester Cold Storage and Warehouse Company fire.
Officer Kurt Solomon, a Worcester native who served 31 years in the Worcester Police Department, passed away just over three weeks ago, on August 18, 2026. Solomon, who was part of police details at Polar Park, graduated from South High School, then served in the United States Army. Upon his return from deployment in Germany, he studied criminal justice at Quinsigamond Community College before joining the police department. He leaves behind two young adult sons, Niklas and Brandon.
On November 12, 2019, the WooSox retired the uniform Number 6 to honor the Worcester 6: Lt. Thomas Spencer, Lt. Timothy Jackson Sr., Lt. James Lyons III, and firefighters Jeremiah Lucey, Paul Brotherton, and Joseph McGuirk. Since their inception, the WooSox have provided nine tickets per game to friends and family of fallen firefighters in tribute to the Worcester 6 and the three who have fallen in the line of duty since: firefighters Jon Davis, Christopher Roy, and Lt. Jason Menard.
In addition to these tributes, the club will remember Worcester Police Officer Manny Familia, who gave his life to save a drowning child in 2021.
“This event is among the more meaningful and inspiring games we present,” said WooSox President Dr. Charles A. Steinberg. "There was a history of police vs. firefighter games dating back a hundred years that we learned about when we were discovering the colorful history of Worcester. We were eager to restore the annual competition, which the players take seriously, and we are also eager to make it a meaningful tribute and fundraiser that shines the light on community heroes who must be remembered. We embrace this opportunity to use our ballpark and our national game to thank our first responders for faithfully answering the call."
After four contests, Worcester Police has three wins, and Worcester Fire has one win.
Next week, the WooSox invite all first responders––of any city or town––to their final First Responder Wednesday game, presented by National Grid, on Wednesday, September 16, when the club plans to recognize the 25th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks by honoring the Central Mass heroes who were called to New York City to help with the aftermath of the tragedy. First responders who show credentials at the Ticket Office receive four complimentary tickets to the 6:05 p.m. game against the Durham Bulls, Triple-A affiliate of the Tampa Bay Rays.
The final homestand of WooSox ’26, “Fan Appreciation Week,” is Tuesday, September 15, through Sunday, September 20. Tickets are available at woosox.com.