A team of Clarendon County Sheriff’s Office deputies strung together six straight games Saturday to finish runner-up at the Battle of the Badges charity softball tournament, advancing to a title matchup with the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources, Sheriff Tim Baxley said in a social media post.
“To say that I am proud of them is an understatement,” Baxley said. “This group organized, paid their own entry fee, and participated on their personal off time to represent the Clarendon County Sheriff’s Office in this charity event.”
The deputies opened at 9:30 a.m. and were still playing at 4:30 p.m., going the distance to land second place in a 12-team field. According to Baxley, the bracket included several larger agencies and players with college baseball experience, factors the Clarendon squad weighed even as they entered for the fun and a good cause. The group managed only three practices ahead of the tournament and not all players could attend each session.
Baxley said he and his wife were in the stands throughout the day along with family members of CCSO employees, praising the team’s effort and the event’s tone. “Sportsmanship, respect and great fun was had by all at this event,” he said.
Tournament proceeds benefit two programs that provide mental health and peer-support services for first responders statewide: the South Carolina Law Enforcement Chaplaincy and the South Carolina Firefighter Assistance and Support Team. “These programs provide critical mental health and support services to South Carolina’s first responders,” Baxley explained.
The championship game paired Clarendon County against SCDNR, with the natural resources officers taking the tournament crown. Baxley closed his message with a nod to the champions and another salute to his players: “Congratulations to SCDNR on their win! … I am so very proud of each of them and their representation of the Clarendon County Sheriff’s Office.”
