The second Saturday before Labor Day is a curious sort of holiday in Carson City. On August 29, 2026, the lawns and dugouts of Centennial Park will fill not with league night regulars but with deputies, firefighters, and emergency workers in uniforms that have traded holsters and turnout gear for batting gloves. That is the morning the Carson City Sheriff's Office stages its second annual Battle of the Badges K9 Softball Tournament, a free, family-friendly day when the region's first responders set aside the badges on their chests and instead try to settle the only argument that truly matters at a ballpark in late summer: who can hit, field, and run the bases better.
The games start at 10 a.m. and run until 3 p.m., with gates opening at 8 a.m. for team check-ins. While the players compete in friendly games among the area's law enforcement and emergency agencies, the rest of the morning and afternoon is built for the community to linger. Raffle tickets go on sale for prizes donated by local businesses, the concession stand at the park offers food and refreshments, and the Sheriff's Office K9 Unit brings its own merchandise for purchase, with proceeds, like everything else raised, flowing to the four-legged partners who give the tournament its real purpose. Admission is free. The teams are local. And the day is designed, in the department's own words, to strengthen the relationships between law enforcement, first responders, and the communities they serve.
The department's K9 program dates back to the 1960s, when Baron, a 100+ pound German Shepherd, became the unit's first K-9. Since then, the K9 squad has grown into what the department calls a "deputy partner" on patrol and an ambassador for citizen outreach, a team of hand-picked dogs matched to hand-picked handlers and trained in specialties such as drug detection, patrol operations, and search. Each K9 is selected to be "pet friendly," safe around children and family pets, yet fully capable of assisting in day-to-day law enforcement activities, even in the apprehension of violent offenders.
The department has long supported the K9 unit through community fundraisers. The K9 Unit Golf Tournament at Silver Oak Golf Course has become a spring fixture, and the Battle of the Badges softball tournament, now in its second year, serves as its summer companion. All proceeds from the events benefit the K9 unit, helping ensure the teams remain healthy and prepared to serve the people of Carson City.
The tournament carries the support of Sheriff Ken Furlong, who, along with the entire Carson City Sheriff's Office, looks forward to welcoming the community to the event. For those interested in donating directly to the K9 unit, the event's contacts are Sergeant Nate Brehm and Dakota Vargas.
The Battle of the Badges is more than a collection of games; it is an opportunity for the community to support the four-legged teams that serve Carson City. Held at Centennial Park at 5400 Heritage Way, the event offers a family-friendly setting with food, entertainment, and a chance to see the first responders in a new light. On August 29, 2026, the gates of Centennial Park open at 8 a.m., the games begin at 10 a.m., and Carson City is invited to spend an afternoon cheering on its local heroes while supporting the K9s that serve alongside them.