New Pickleball Tradition Begins in Imperial County: Southwest High School was alive with energy on Saturday, Nov. 16, as the first annual Battle of the Badges Pickleball Tournament took center stage in Imperial County. The event, organized by Antonia “Blanca” Mendez, the county’s pickleball ambassador, drew 36 teams from law enforcement and first responder agencies. Active and retired members of the military, police, firefighters, and federal agencies came together not just for friendly competition but to strengthen bonds and support the local community.
“This is the first time we did this. I’m the Pickleball Ambassador for Imperial County, and my job is to promote pickleball and make it grow, and that is what we are doing here.” – (Antonia “Blanca” Mendez)
A Vision to Grow the Game
Mendez, a retired probation officer with a passion for pickleball, conceived the idea after noticing the need to grow the sport locally.
“I figured, you know what, let’s do a law enforcement pickleball tournament.” – (Antonia “Blanca” Mendez)
She hopes that by hosting such events, the county’s 100 active pickleball players will soon have their dedicated courts.
“We currently play on courts designed for other sports, but I hope to have our own pickleball courts soon. By the second annual tournament, we want to be able to say we are playing in our courts now.” – (Antonia “Blanca” Mendez)
Supporting Shop with a Cop
Beyond promoting pickleball, the tournament also aimed to give back. Mendez decided that all proceeds would benefit Shop with a Cop, a non-profit program she has supported for years.
“I was thinking, where could the money go? I decided to go with ‘Shop with a Cop.’” – (Antonia “Blanca” Mendez)
Her deep connection to the program and her desire to serve the community made the choice a natural fit.
“I’m a retired probation officer who has participated in Shop with a Cop for years. But now I play pickleball and I want to give back to the community—and this is it!” – (Antonia “Blanca” Mendez)
A Growing Community Spirit
The tournament attracted teams from a variety of agencies, including the U.S. Border Patrol, local police departments, DEA, ICE, Marines, Army, and even firefighters from Northern California.
Participants from the District General’s Office in Mexicali added an international touch. For Mendez, the event was an opportunity to bring new faces into Imperial County’s growing pickleball community and encourage others to pick up a paddle.
By the day’s end, it was clear the tournament had succeeded not only in fostering competition but also in creating connections that transcended uniforms and agencies.
News in Brief: New Pickleball Tradition Begins in Imperial County
The First Annual Battle of the Badges Pickleball Tournament took place at Southwest High School on Nov. 16, uniting 36 teams from law enforcement and first responder agencies. Organized by Antonia “Blanca” Mendez, Imperial County’s Pickleball Ambassador, the event promoted the sport while raising funds for Shop with a Cop.
Mendez hopes the tournament will spark growth in the local pickleball community and lead to dedicated courts for players. Participants hailed from agencies across the region, including U.S. Border Patrol, Marines, and Northern California firefighters, showing the game’s unifying spirit.
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