LAPD, Sheriff’s deputies play baseball for kids at Swing-a-Thon 2015 – LA Daily News

When Los Angeles was half the size of today’s Burbank, local lawmen traded nightsticks for baseball bats for the first cops-versus-deputies game.

On Friday — 128 years later — the longtime rivals faced off in Sylmar at the LAPD Baseball Swing-a-Thon 2015, as the LAPD Centurions prepared to play ball against the LASD Hooks, all to promote healthy lives for kids with sports clinics, prizes and a pledge to “Just say no” to drugs, gangs, crime and bullying.

“As police officers, our job is to impact their lives,” said Los Angeles Police Department Officer Michael J. Scott, a Devonshire division patrolman who staged the children’s festival and venerable contest between police and the Sheriff’s Department.

“We’re basically ambassadors for youth,” Scott said of the collective mission. “The kids look to us for answers, to see us in a positive light.”

Billed as America’s greatest youth baseball event, the Swing-a-Thon at El Cariso Community Regional Park drew 700 children for a steaming hot day of free food, music and family fun around America’s favorite pastime.

• PHOTOS: LAPD Centurions vs. LASD Hooks at Swing-a-Thon 2015

Throughout the morning, cops and deputies in respective blue and red gave free baseball, football and soccer tips and took part in a little coaching by some Dodger blue in attendance.

“The most important thing is to be with the kids, stand with them and let them know that education is number one,” said longtime Dodgers coach Manny Mota, who lives in La Crescenta, as boys and girls lined up for help with their baseball swing.

“Go to school and stay in school,” he urged.

“He didn’t teach me anything — I already know how to bat,” joked 9-year-old Joseph Gomez of San Fernando. “But I’m happy.”

It was in June 1887 that an LAPD team known as the Police 9 took the field against a Sheriff’s Department team called the Constables, which triumphed in the end, 19-12.

In 2001, Scott reignited the longtime rivalry by launching a Swing-a-Thon to bring officers, youth and the community together.

At precisely noon, Scott stood with hundreds of kids at the pitcher’s mound to recite the Just Say No Pledge — as well as a hearty yes to respect for parents, teachers and themselves.

“I learned we should respect adults and say no to anything that’s wrong, like bullying,” said Kayla Heard, 9, of Lake View Terrace, who joined some 60 kids from the Boys & Girls Club of San Fernando Valley in T-shirts emblazoned, “Great Futures Start Here.”

The Swing-a-Thon also featured LAPD and LASD helicopters, equestrian and motor units, a rock-climbing pole, hula hoop contest and raffles for bicycles and other prizes.

On the field, the Centurions would be in blue and white, their uniforms proudly labeled “LAPD,” while the Hooks boasted red jerseys sporting a pair of handcuff “hooks.” Last year, the team of 10 deputies whupped 20 policemen 11-1.

This year, the score was too early to tell before the story went to press.

“It’s a good chance to interest the kids in the community,” said Sgt. Matt Verzola of the Lakewood Sheriff’s station. “Once they get a career started, they can still have a love of the game.”