Second annual Home Run Derby to benefit local Shop With a Cop programs

Published 1:49 pm Thursday, August 4, 2022

The Jonesborough and Johnson City Police Departments are hosting their second annual Home Run Derby to raise funds for their Shop With a Cop programs.

The Home Run Derby will be held 10 a.m.-6 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 20, at Persimmon Ridge Ball Parks, 1526 Persimmon Ridge Road in Jonesborough.

This event is open to nearly all ages and will be broken into five age groups for both boys and girls. Age groups are as follows: 6-8, 9-10, 11-12, 13-17 and 18+. All equipment including balls, bats, and helmets will be provided. This year the derby will feature both softball and baseball options and include a pitching machine. Participants may bring their own equipment and pitcher at no cost. Participants 13 years and older must use ASA stamped bats.

Pre-registration is $8 for youth ages 6-17 and $15 for adults online: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/2nd-annual-home-run-derby-for-shop-with-a-cop-tickets-388204639527?aff=ebdshpsearchautocomplete. Registration may be completed at the event. Registration fees will cover a three-minute period to hit as many pitches as possible. T-shirts can be pre-ordered using the same link. Sponsorship opportunities for the event are also available.

The 2021 Home Run Derby grossed nearly $5,000, which helped to support the departments’ Shop With a Cop programs in providing more than 300 children with gifts and food last year.

Entirely donation based, the Johnson Police Department’s Shop With a Cop program provides gifts and meals to indigent families in the Johnson City School System. Each Christmas, children receive gifts, winter clothing and a food box.

In addition to supplying local children with necessary and desired items during the holidays the Shop With a Cop program also helps to build lasting relationships between children in our community and law enforcement officers.

Financial donations are accepted in the form of checks made out to City of Johnson City with “Shop With a Cop” in the memo line. They can be mailed to 601 E. Main Street, P.O. Box 2150, Johnson City, TN 37605 ATTN: Shop With a Cop. All donations are tax deductible and receipts will be provided.