On April 19, first responders from across the region will trade sirens for stadium lights at CarShield Field in O’Fallon, Missouri, as they square off in the Battle of the Badges — a friendly baseball game with a powerful purpose.
This year’s game isn’t just about bragging rights between police and fire. It’s about rallying around Officer Nathan Spiess, a 31-year-old St. Louis Metropolitan police officer who was critically injured in March while trying to arrest a carjacking suspect on Interstate 70.
Nathan’s injuries were life-threatening, and for those organizing the game, the decision to step up wasn’t just automatic — it was deeply personal.
“When this came out and we heard it — of Nathan’s injury — this came right off the bat for us. And this could be the best way we could help out for the Spiess family,” Battle of the Badges organizer John Aebischer, a patrolman with the St. Peters Police Department, told FOX2Now.
The heartache hits even closer to home for Nick Spiess, Nathan’s twin brother and a longtime player on the firefighters’ team.
“Nick [has] been on the team since the get-go. Always here, always supportive. With what happened with his brother recently, makes all the more difference to get this going. To benefit him as well as we can,” Matt Pay, a firefighter and Battle of the Badges manager.
Originally, the event was set to benefit The 10-78 Project, a nonprofit devoted to supporting the mental and spiritual health of law enforcement officers. But when organizers asked if some of the proceeds could be redirected to the Spiess family, founder Matt Frkovic didn’t hesitate.
“When they came to me and asked if we’d be open to the idea of taking a portion of the proceeds from this event to give to the Spiess family, we were 100% on board,” Matt Frkovic said. “Our goal is to ensure that officers like Nathan that go through these life-changing events, have a community of people who rally behind them.”
The game is sure to draw plenty of emotions — as Nate Spiess is scheduled to throw the first pitch to his brother, Nick.
“I’m sure lot of tears will be shed. But it will be good,” Pay said.
