The competition is real, and so is the smack talk.

“Who will win? The Police Department or the Police Department?” the East Haven Police Department wrote on its Facebook page.

For the third year, the East Haven Police Department (EHPD) and the East Haven Fire Department (EHFD) will square off in the Battle of the Badges softball game. The game, scheduled for Friday, Sept. 16, is mostly for bragging rights but collected donations will benefit Our Community Hero’s Inc. The nonprofit was established exclusively for charitable purposes, targeting members of the community who have dedicated themselves to making society a better place.

EHPD is quick to point out that the department is the reigning champion of the last two games, while EHFD won the inaugural game — a feat, they say, was a gimme.

“Little do they know, we let them win the first year so they wouldn't be afraid to play us every year after that!” East Haven Police Union Local 275 posted on Facebook.

EHPD and EHFD take to the field at the Deer Run School on Friday, Sept. 16 at 6:30 p.m. A pizza truck is also scheduled to be on hand, and sales are cash only.

For more information, search East Haven Firefighters Local 1205 or East Haven Police Department on Facbeook.