Days after parading around the warning track at Chase Field for a pre-game Native American Recognition Day celebration, Native American youth athletes took to the diamond to compete in the D-Backs Inter-Tribal Youth Baseball & Softball Tournament, presented by Talking Stick Resort, from June 8 to 11.

All games were played in the Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community at either Salt River Fields at Talking Stick, the Salt River Recreation baseball fields or the softball fields at the Accelerated Learning Academy.

Divisions were split into single-A baseball for youth ages 9 to 12, double-A baseball for youth ages 13 to 15, and triple-A baseball and softball for high school students.

Softball

A triple-A softball team, Natives with Talent, lived up to their name all tournament. Called NWT for short, the team featured SRPMIC superstar athlete Emily Stacey as she and her fellow teammates from the Hopi, Pascua Yaqui and other tribes showed why they’re one of the premiere softball teams in Indian Country.

NWT started off strong, dominating their pool-play games against San Lucy, Texoma, FD Mariners (Navy) and Marauders. During three of their four pool-play games, which were hosted at the Accelerated Learning Academy, NWT blanked their opponents, putting up wins to the tune of 7-0, 11-0 and 18-0. Texoma was able to finally put points on the board against NWT, but they still lost, 3-1.

Stacey’s family, friends and supporters cheered her on from the sidelines of ALA’s softball field. As the pool-play games continued across three days, several college recruiters from California and New Mexico looked on and took notes, trying to discover their next great softball student-athletes. 

Sadly, NWT ran into some stiff competition during Thursday’s championship game. In a hard-fought battle, which saw the best of the best going at it, NWT fell just short of securing the championship trophy, losing to the Bravettes, 3-4.

The Bravettes went undefeated during this year’s triple-A Diamondbacks inter-tribal tournament, finishing 6-0.

Single-A Baseball

Led by head coach Whitney Che Grey Jr., the single-A Desert Dingers were yet another team participating in this year’s inter-tribal tournament. 

During their first game, the Desert Dingers and their new green and orange uniforms took to the Salt River ballfield on June 8 to battle it out against the Na7ive Na7ions national team. A group of ballplayers ages 9 to 12 years, the Dingers had their work cut out for them as the Na7ive Na7ions team put up some fierce competition. The Dingers lost 17-1. 

The following day, the Dingers once again packed the Salt River ballfield bleachers while still learning and developing their skills on the diamond. In their game against NM Pack, the Dingers lost 9-0. 

In their third and final game, the Dingers played local team AZ Stronghold. Though both teams had fun, one team must win. AZ Stronghold cruised to victory to the tune of 10-2.

Native Clash was an SRPMIC team coached by Sabrina Lopez and Micah Butler. The team lost all three of their games, but they  played hard out in the heat against some tough teams.

The AZ Sons baseball team, coached by SRPMIC member Arnold “Zookie” Thomas, once again dominated their pool play this year. Also coaching the squad were SRPMIC members Dante Davis, Marcus Lasiloo and Justin Andrews, whose younger brother Dax Andrews was on the team at third base.

AZ Sons cruised through their first three games against the Sells Giants, Pueblo Warriors and Apache Scouts, winning each game.

Dax Andrews played a key role in helping the AZ Sons get runs. His patience at the plate and solid contact helped him get on base and drive in a few runs during the tournament.

This team was built for domination, and the weight of the single-elimination quarterfinals bracket did not faze them. AZ Sons beat Casa Grande 12-2 in the 7:30 a.m. game. As the morning grew hotter, AZ Sons kept up the battle, taking on a tough Na7ive Na7ions national team. The Sons tore apart their pitching staff with a final score of 10-2, handing Na7ive Na7ions their only loss in the tournament.

A back-to-back-to-back morning led the Sons to an extra-innings championship game showdown vs. Guadalupe on June 11. The game was scoreless through the fourth inning, when the Sons put up two runs. Dax Andrews was hit by a pitch and did not return to the game. Guad climbed back, but they were no match for the Sons, who held their lead while securing their third championship on a game-ending double play.

Dax Andrews talked with O’odham Action News about his experience and his team’s win.

“It feels great to represent where I’m from [Salt River] and play with my friends,” Andrews said after the game. “I felt confident.”

Double-A Baseball

The double-A AZ Sons also rocked their tournament. The team was coached by the same staff as the single-A team.

Left fielder Marco Lopez was the only player from the SRPMIC.

In their first game at Salt River Fields, they routed NM Bangarang 28-0. They continued to soar with wins against Warriors Baseball Club and Top Dawgz Blue.

In the semifinals, the team ran out of steam against the 475 Boyz, who won 6-4. AZ Sons finished the tournament with a third-place trophy, winning their consolation game vs. NM Sundevils II. Desert Dingers were coached by SRPMIC member Whitney Grey. They ended the tournament 1-2, finishing strong in their last game vs. Arizona 108, winning 5-3.