The best and brightest baseball and softball athletes from Indian Country made their way to the Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community for a multi-day intertribal tournament organized by the Arizona Diamondbacks the week of June 2. 

Known as the only Native American baseball tournament sponsored by a Major League Baseball team, the annual Diamondbacks Inter-Tribal Youth Baseball and Softball Tournament featured an all-star cast of athletes, including many from the SRPMIC. 

Looking to duplicate last year’s winning ways, AZ Sons from the SRPMIC proved why they are one of the best Single-A teams. Showcasing their team-oriented play on both sides of the ball, AZ Sons won five straight games in this year’s tournament, including the championship game. 

Single-A

AZ Sons played all three games at the Salt River Recreation ball field in the Community, where they received ample hometown cheers from baseball fans.

In their first game, AZ Sons dominated the New Mexico Sun Devils 10-1. Playing in the daytime heat proved to not to deter the players as AZ Sons continued to dominate, defeating TC Kings 12-0 and Team Underdogs 15-0. AZ Sons defeated the NM Sundevils 7-1 in the championship game.

Also competing in the Single-A division from the Community were the Desert Dingers. Coached by Whitney Grey, the Dingers showcased tenacious defense and textbook offense as they battled fierce competition. TheDingers packed the bleachers at the Salt River Recreation ball field in the morning game on June 3, as the team is known as one of the fastest-rising teams in Single-A. 

The Dingers lost their initial game against NM Pack, 3-8; however, they finished strong with two massive wins against The Goat and AZ Stronghold. Unfortunately, they could not punch a ticket to play in the championship game, just barely coming up short in pool play. 

Double-A

Coach Grey continued molding the future all-stars of Major League Baseball as the Desert Dingers also competed in Double A pool play. With the team featuring slightly older players, all games were played on the practice fields at Salt River Fields at Talking Stick. 

In their initial game on June 3, the Dingers easily handled Top Dawgz 14-5. Later that same day, the Dingers clinched the victory against TC Kingz 6-5 in a well-contested and attended game. 

During their third and final pool play game, the Dingers faced another SRPMIC team, the AZ Sons. The game proved to be a miniature version of the World Series, as many from Salt River attended the game to see which SRPMIC team would come out on top. In what was viewed as one of the fan-favorite games of the entire tournament, the AZ Sons won 3-2. 

AZ Sons played well throughout the Double-A tournament, defeating TC Kingz, Desert Dingers and the NM Sundevils. After earning the tiebreaker against the Dingers, the AZ Sons advanced to the elimination playoff bracket against another SRPMIC team, the AZ Heat. 

In the win-or-go-home game on June 5, AZ Sons was defeated by the eventual champion, AZ Heat 2-1. The eventual champions, the AZ Heat, defeated AZ Sons 2-1 in the win-or-go home game on June 5.

Going undefeated and never letting their foot off the gas, AZ Heat proved to be the team to beat. In their three pool play games, AZ Heat shutout The Goat, Four Corners Pride and the Pueblo Strikers. 

They beat NM Pack 10-3 to secure the championship.

Triple-A

Coming out of the dugout with their bats and gloves at the ready, AZ Heat’s Triple-A team battled high school-aged athletes looking to continue their play at the collegiate level. In their first game, the AZ Heat defeated the Chinle Jayhawks with ease, 20-0. They also beat NMS and Hustle Gang Baseball. 

As they made their way into the semifinals, they would get a taste of some fierce competition as AZ Savages made it close. However, with a refined approach on the pitcher’s mound and stellar defense, AZ Heat beat AZ Savages 6-2, advancing to the championship game. 

Unfortunately, the AZ Heat stumbled in the championship game against the eventual winner of the division, the Tribe of Gad Warriors. 

Rounding out the division for the SRPMIC were the Desert Dingers. They suffered an early loss to the Tribe of Gad Warriors, and thus, they were eliminated from semifinal play. They tied the NM Sundevils and defeated the FMT Rebels 4-3, bringing their overall standings in the tournament to one win, two losses and one tie. 

With a record number of teams entering this year’s tournament, the Arizona Diamondbacks continue to remain ahead of the curve when it comes to celebrating future superstars of the baseball and softball diamonds. 

This year’s tournament came after Native American Recognition Day at Chase Field, meaning tournament participants had a chance to walk the Diamondbacks’ field before playing a game. 

For full baseball tournament results, check the Diamondbacks website.