As a member of the 14U Na7ive Na7ions all-star softball team, Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community student-athlete Naomi Anton reflects on her time playing in the 2026 Babe Ruth World Series tournament in Florence, Alabama.

How do you celebrate making history as a member of the first-ever all-Indigenous team to win the prestigious Babe Ruth World Series?

You go to Texas Roadhouse with the family.

For Naomi Anton, this summer has been one of ascension. In July, she was selected to join the all-star Na7ive Na7ions softball team as they traveled to Florence, Alabama, to participate in the annual Babe Ruth World Series, held from July 26 to Aug. 1.

“It was my first time ever in Alabama,” said Anton. “It was very humid. But it wasn’t too hot like to where you couldn’t bear it, like … here,” she added.

Anton’s father, Ben Anton, joined her in Florence as the Na7ive Na7ions team made easy work of several teams during the tournament, finishing 8-0 during pool and playoff play. In the championship, the all-star Indigenous team defeated Puerto Rico, 6-4.

Former Major League Baseball pitcher DJ Carrasco served as the coach of the championship team.

“He really put his sense into the game and made sure that we did the little things as well as the big things, because little things are what make us do the big things,” Naomi Anton said.

She continued, “He was very well-rounded when it came to how we felt after we made a mistake or a good play. He was very approachable because he knew exactly how we felt and how we need to move on,” she said.

Anton said that she and her Na7ive Na7ions teammates participated in the tournament’s opening ceremony, which included the national anthems of all the participating teams.

Luckily, the Antons also had some time to rest, relax and sightsee a bit, learning what Florence has to offer visitors.

“We went to a place called Indian Mound,” said Ben Anton. “It’s basically a North American version of the pyramids,” he said.

“We also went to this ice cream shop that’s more than 100 years old. [Florence] also has a huge dam there, so we went to the waterfalls,” she added.

They also visited the world-famous Muscle Shoals Sound Studio, where artists such as Aretha Franklin, Etta James, the Rolling Stones, Paul Simon, Cher and more recorded some of their biggest hits.

In fact, the Rolling Stones recorded their 1969 song “Brown Sugar” at Muscle Shoals.

Now back home with a championship to add to her already-impressive student-athlete résumé, Naomi Anton said she feels blessed to represent not only the United States on the national level, but also the SRPMIC.

“It feels great and amazing,” she began. “Like, astonishing to be a part of that and have that opportunity to play with these girls and go to Babe Ruth. It was so amazing. I can’t wait to see what we do next.”

She added, “I’d like to thank my mom, dad and my siblings for always being there and being able to take me to these things. Also, I’d like to thank Autumn [Lopez], DJ Carrasco, Chris Summers, Nic Pouaka-Grego for seeing me and having this opportunity. I’d also like to thank all my previous coaches for helping me get to [a place] where I can do things like this.”