SUN-GAZETTE FILE PHOTO Above, Hughesville Police officer Andrew Boyer pitches for Hughesville during the Kickin’ it with Cops kickball tournament in 2024.

It’s always a win-win when youngsters in kindergarten through 5th grade can get together with members of law enforcement in a fun way – not only a friendly athletic competition – but a means of fostering better relationships with those who protect and serve them and their families.

That’s the purpose of the annual Kickball with Cops event at Firetree Place, 600 Campbell St. – an event labeled the “Faith and Blue Kickball Derby.”

Kickball is a game but it can also serve to build trust between the officers and the youth, who might not always have positive experiences at home or might even carry trauma from past experiences with police.

For many young individuals, their lives are shaped by insatiable homes, adversity, peer pressure or a lack of positive role models.

“Firetree Place is thrilled to host the “Kickball with Cops” derby that will bring local youth together for a day of teamwork, sportsmanship, and fun. Partnering with the Pennsylvania State Police and Pennsylvania Treasury office gives our young people a chance to see law enforcement and public officials as part of their community support system-not just authority figures. Events like this help build trust, strengthen relationships, and remind us that we’re all working toward the same goal: a safer, more connected community,” said Firetree Place CEO Billy Dayton.

In a bracket-style tournament with two divisions – Grades K – 2 and Grades 3 – 5, the young players will be teamed up with members of the Pennsylvania State Police, Williamsport Police and local faith-based leaders. It’s expected to open the door, or kick-off a relationship leading to trust in the men and women of law enforcement.

The fun “kicks off” at 10 a.m. and goes through 1 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 11, according to organizer Steve Shope.

The event is free, but registration is required and children must be accompanied by a parent, guardian, or responsible adult age 18 or older.

Sponsored by the Keystone Scholars and the Pennsylvania Treasury, the kickball tournament is part of what is known as the national Faith and Blue Initiative.

Faith and Blue is an initiative that aims to foster stronger relationships between law enforcement and the communities they serve through collaboration with faith-based organizations.

It’s a movement that encourages community engagement, building trust, and promoting safer neighborhoods by connecting law enforcement with diverse faith communities.

Expect a day of fun; with drinks and snacks that will be provided.

It’s not the first time the county has had kickball with cops and organizations that care about the welfare of youths.

In May, Kickin’ it with Cops tournament pitted school resource officers against a field of seventh-grade students during a kickball tournament at the Hughesville Little League fields.

Those games were organized by the Youth Development Task Force and the Lycoming County Health Improvement Coalition and featured students from the nine Lycoming County school districts against SROs.