Neighboring towns play for bragging rights

Rivalries. We have some great ones.

Whether it's the Bears versus Packers, Cubs versus Sox or Kildeer versus Hawthorn Woods, competition for bragging rights is intense.

Wait, Kildeer and Hawthorn Woods?

That matchup may not make sports history but folks in those towns have challenged each other to a winner-take-all softball game.

The villages will have their first ever Friendly Community Softball Game at 10 a.m. on Saturday at Community Park in Hawthorn Woods. The park is located at Quentin and Old McHenry roads.

The idea started when Hawthorn Woods Mayor Joseph Mancino and Kildeer Village Administrator Michael Talbett were trash talking each other after a recent meeting.

"I'm a baseball freak and got into a conversation with Michael and it didn't take long for me to throw down the challenge," he said. "And he's the kind of guy who can't refuse a throw-down," Mancino laughed.

Mancino said the game will be fun, but the bigger idea is to foster friendships between staff members in the towns.

"One of our priorities has been to build relationships with our neighboring towns," Mancino said. "In the past, this hasn't been the case. You look at each other across the table during a meeting but you don't really know each other. This is a way to interact on a different level."

Talbett agreed.

"You speak to each other the phone but never really connect," he said. "Now we can put a face with a name."

The game will pit not only the administrative staffs but also folks from public works, building departments and the police departments. Spouses and kids are welcome to play too.

Talbett said he's trying to foster a "cooperative spirit" between the government entities. He said staffs have been sharing technical information and looking for other ways to help each other in recent months. The game will strengthen those relationships, he said.

Mancino and Talbett hope this will become an annual event and grow to include other neighboring towns like Lake Zurich.

Kildeer police Chief Robert Zujewski thinks the game will go quickly. With bravado in his voice, the chief said Hawthorn Woods is going down.

"We've got some heavy hitters on our side," Zujewski said. "Don't be surprised if the slaughter rule is enacted after the first inning."

Zujewski's counterpart, Hawthorn Woods police Chief Jennifer Paulus, is unfazed.

"I'll remind him of that comment as we carry the trophy away," she laughed.