The San Diego County Probation Department is hoping to hit a home run at a softball fundraiser to benefit this year’s Shop with a Cop event, which aims to make the holiday season more enjoyable for children across the county.

Shop with a Cop is an annual event sponsored by local law enforcement, Sea World, Target and STAR/PAL, a nonprofit organization dedicated to bringing happy holidays to children and building positive relationships between youth and law enforcement. It has been a tradition since 1994, and at this year’s event on December 7, select children from local schools will spend a day at Sea World and receive a $200 holiday shopping spree at Target.

The players in the softball tournament hope to raise enough money to support 300 young people across the county.

Twenty-one police teams will play in the tournament, which begins at 7:30 a.m. Saturday, August 17, and runs through Sunday, August 18, at Sportsplex USA, 9951 Riverwalk Drive in Santee. Last year’s softball champions were a men’s team from the Chula Vista Police Department and a co-ed team from the San Diego Sheriff’s Department.

Departments participating this year include the County Probation Department, San Diego County Sheriff’s Office, Santee Fire Department, Chula Vista Police Department, Oceanside Police Department, San Diego Police Department, Lakeside Fire Department, El Cajon Police Department, U.S. Marshals, National City Police Department and Carlsbad Police Department.

The community is invited to cheer on their favorite team. Admission is $5 for those 16 and older, which includes a $3 drink coupon. You can also support Shop with a Cop by purchasing event t-shirts designed by Deputy Probation Officer Natalia Lopez, as well as challenge coins, pins and raffle tickets. Direct donations are also accepted. Please indicate your desire to support Shop with a Cop.