The rivalry between the Lathrop Manteca Fire District and the new Lathrop Police Department is about to begin.

And bragging rights are on the line.

On Tuesday, Nov. 8, the two agencies will square off in first ever “Battle of the Badges” at Islanders Field in River Islands – officially establishing the friendly rivalry between the city’s respective police and fire departments for the first time in history.

While the Lathrop Manteca Fire District has held similar events in the past, those games were always with the San Joaquin County Sheriff’s Office – which contracted with the City of Lathrop to provide law enforcement services for more than 30 years before the contract expired earlier this year and the Lathrop Police Department formally took over law enforcement duties.

Traditionally the fire district would take on deputies assigned to the Lathrop detail from the sheriff’s office in a police against fire basketball game in the winter as well.

Gates open at Islanders Field – located at 1051 River Islands Parkway – at 5 p.m., with opening ceremonies set to begin at 5:45 p.m. First pitch in the game is scheduled for 6 p.m. Tickets for the game are free and can be obtained in advance by visiting MyRiverIslands.com. Tickets must be acquired in advance and presented at the gate for admission.

There will be raffle prizes during the game, and kids will be welcomed to run the bases, and families are encouraged to bring baseballs to get autographs from the players.

Additional information about the event can be found at the City of Lathrop’s Facebook page at www.facebook.com/thecityoflathrop.

To contact Bulletin reporter Jason Campbell email jcampbell@mantecabulletin.com or call 209.249.3544.