Superstar student-athlete and Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community member Naomi Anton played in the Na7ive Na7ions softball tournament in Prescott and was also selected to join their all-star team.

In sports, all you need is one opportunity, especially for free agents looking to join a softball team. 

Student-athlete Naomi Anton participated in the Na7ive Na7ions softball tournament in Prescott, Arizona, over the June 14 weekend. Anton is a member of the Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community. 

Anton joined a group of other Indigenous softball players looking to join a team. Rising to the occasion, Anton proved to be one of the shining stars on the free-agent team, showing everyone, including the Na7ive Na7ions selection committee, what she can do on the field. 

While commanding first base, a position that requires quick reflexes and deep concentration, Anton also showed her skillsets at third base and in the outfield. She even joined a second team during the tournament, showing that playing softball is not just a hobby for her, but a true passion. 

When Anton arrived at Prescott to play ball, she was greeted by some unexpected weather. 

“The weather was hot,” admitted Anton. “It was windy too. There was dust in the air after the pitcher threw the ball; it got into our eyes sometimes.” 

Though she didn’t hit any home runs, her father, Ben Anton, proudly revealed that during her tournament play in Prescott, Anton hit a few deep line drives that went out to the warning track of the outfield.

“No homers, but she had a few close ones,” he said. 

While playing on the free-agent team, Anton battled it out against some local teams from Arizona as well as out-of-state teams from California, New Mexico and other places. 

The talent showcased during pool play and the playoffs proved to be high caliber on all fronts. Anton’s free-agent team, though they played well together, went on to place third in the tournament. 

After showing her skills and what she can do on the softball diamond, Na7ive Na7ions made the easy decision and selected Anton to join its all-Indigenous all-star softball team.

The all-star team will now play for a national championship in Florence, Alabama, later this month in the annual Babe Ruth Softball 2026 World Series. The team will be the only Indigenous one in the tournament. 

“It’s wonderful,” her father said, beaming. 

It will also be the first time Anton will visit Alabama. “I’m excited,” she said. 

After the summer finishes and school resumes, Anton plans to play for her middle-school softball club team while continuing to improve her game. She also has plans to play at the higher levels of softball in the future. “That’s the goal,” said Ben Anton. “She wants to go play for UCLA or Oklahoma.”

With her recent selection to the Na7ive Na7ions all-star team, Naomi Anton is now officially one step closer to one day playing college softball.