The Native Nations youth baseball team recently returned from the Babe Ruth World Series in Branson, Missouri, marking a historic moment as the first Native American team to participate in the event. The team was selected from over 160 players representing more than 40 tribes across eight states after competing in a tournament at Salt River Pima–Maricopa Indian Community near Scottsdale.
DJ Carrasco, a former professional baseball player and founder of Native Nations Sport, emphasized the significance of this achievement. “Na7ive Na7ions came together through years of conversations, relationship-building, and a shared vision to give Native athletes the same opportunities as anyone else,” Carrasco said. He highlighted the importance of providing tribal communities with equal representation on international platforms.
Jace Huma, a member of the Hopi Tribe, expressed his pride in representing his tribe during the series. “During the World Series I was thinking about how it felt to be out there representing my Tribe while playing the game I truly love,” he said. Similarly, Angel “JJ” Medina from the Pascua Yaqui Tribe described his experience as awe-inspiring and beyond what he had imagined possible.
Sir Hendrix Sneezy from the San Carlos Apache Tribe also shared his excitement about showcasing his abilities and representing his tribe at such a prestigious event. The team’s participation culminated in receiving a Sportsmanship Award, which Carrasco noted as evidence of their excellence both on and off the field.
Looking ahead, Carrasco plans to build on this momentum by expanding programs and preparing Native athletes for future international competitions. He emphasized that continued support is crucial for sustaining these efforts: “We’re laying a foundation that will open doors for generations of Native athletes.”
The success of this initiative was supported by sponsors including The Salt River Fields at Talking Stick and SRPMIC Fire Departments, along with other contributors like The Morongo Band of Mission Indians, The Muscogee Nation, FNX, Willmeng Construction, Penta Building Group and Rawlings.
