Battle of the Badge postponed again

MOSES LAKE — Organizers of the annual Battle of the Badge charity softball game have decided to postpone tonight’s game because of poor air quality conditions that are expected to remain in the region until Friday.

The game, which features the Moses Lake Police Department squaring off against the Grant County Sheriff’s Office, was scheduled to take place at the Larson Playfield in Moses Lake at 6 p.m. tonight. The decision was made to postpone the game due to the smoke-filled air from regional wildfires, which are expected to linger in the Columbia Basin until at least Friday afternoon.

Every dollar raised from the Battle of the Badge game directly benefits the Boys and Girls Club of the Columbia Basin. Last year’s game raised about $3,000 for the club.

The postponement of tonight’s game is the second time the match has been rescheduled. The game was originally set to take place on Aug. 10, but organizers postponed the game after Deputy Jose Rivera shot his wife, Sydney, Aug. 9 in Moses Lake. The couple told investigators the shooting was accidental.

Sydney has undergone several surgeries and Jose is currently on paid administrative leave while the Columbia Basin Investigative Team investigates the shooting.

Richard Byrd can be reached via email at city@columbiabasinherald.com.