First Responders softball game set for September

The annual Arrow-Heart first responders softball game is set for Saturday, Sept. 10 at the Memorial Park softball field in Weiser.

 Game time is 6 p.m., with the event winding down at approximately 9 p.m. The game is free to spectators and there will be a concession stand and beer garden following the game.

 The National Anthem will be performed by a yet-to-be announced guest singer and Weiser Mayor Randy Hibberd will throw out the first pitch to start the game.

 The motto for this year’s event is “We are all in this together.” First responders in Idaho will be pitted against those in Oregon. Personnel from local and state law enforcement and firefighting agencies will battle it out for supremacy.

 Last year, Idaho came out on top of a tight 40-39 contest.

 Funds raised benefit Arrow-Heart Adventure Camps, a local non-profit committed to enriching the lives of young teens through challenging outdoor adventures. The organization, based in Weiser, aims to inspire kids to want to make better choices, build character, confidence, credibility, and critical thinking skills.

 The annual game was the brainchild of Arrow-Heart founder and “Days of our Lives” actress Arianne Zucker and her brother and Weiser High School principal Todd Zucker. It started out small but has changed, and grown, over its seven-year history.

 “Initially, we wanted the kids in our program to play against first responders because they can learn a lot by interacting with those role models, and that’s what we did,” explained Arrow-Heart Executive Director Steve Fenske. “But it was more like our Arrow-Heart coaches and staff that went against the first responders. It was a fun first game.

 “Then we started playing law enforcement against firefighters, but it was just last year I decided to expand our horizons and reach out to Ontario and have an Oregon versus Idaho game. Last year, we had a great game where Oregon lost by one run, so this year, they plan on coming back with a vengeance. It really turned out great and we had a great turnout. We expect it to be a success this year as well.”

 More than 40 players participated in an event that helped mark the 20-year anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist attacks.

 “I’m enjoying having this game between Idaho and Oregon,” Fenske said. “I tried reaching out to other departments like Payette and Fruitland, but I couldn’t get them interested, so I went across the border into Oregon and those guys were more than willing to play.”

 Fenske has several coaches and staff that help out with the event, including former Weiser Police officer and former Washington County Sheriff’s Deputy Sam Dadabbo, now an Ontario police officer, who is tasked with putting together the Oregon team.

 The event helps support Arrow-Heart activities, so sponsors are key to its success. Fenske said he is currently in search of sponsors whose names will appear on t-shirts worn by the players.

 “The more sponsors we get, the more we can also offset the cost of those t-shirts,” he said.

 Fenske also wants to remind the community of its annual Murder Mystery Fundraiser Dinner and Silent Auction, which is scheduled for Nov. 12, 2022 at the Vendome in Weiser. This year’s murder mystery is dubbed “Murder at the Deadwood Saloon.” More details will be coming soon.

 Contact Steve Fenske at (208) 550-1755 for more information on the first responders softball game or to sign up as a sponsor.