As baseball season reached its peak this summer, the Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community Recreation Services hosted its 61st annual Men’s Southwest Baseball Tournament. From July 24-26, 20 teams from across the Valley and beyond went head-to-head in the summer heat to compete for the championship.

Teams played games at four different fields in the Community: the Salt River ballfield, Lehi Ballfield and the Accelerated Learning Academy baseball fields. 

Every year, teams return to play in the popular three-day tournament. Many teams have gone through generations of players, while also having the newer, upcoming talents on display. 

This year, Salt River had one team representing the Community in the Lehi Raiders. For the past two years, they have gone on to win back-to-back championships and hoped to go for a third this year. 

They started the tournament on a relatively good note but unfortunately lost their first game on the final day of the tournament, which brought them into the consolation bracket. Shortly after, they were defeated by the Mesa Rays in a nail-biting game, falling short by one run. 

At least one other team had Community members playing for them in the Mesa Indians, who were knocked out of the tournament on the second day.

The tournament concluded with the championship on Saturday. The Mesa Rays and Guadalupe Chiefs competed for the trophy, only for Guadalupe to finish on top. The tournament ended with the presentation of awards and trophies, with pictures taken to create lasting memories until next year’s tournament.