The tournament traditionally draws players from throughout California, other states and even Canada to compete during three days of bracket play. Nearly 20 members of the N.I.A.A. Committee worked tirelessly to organize the games. Many volunteers stepped up to the plate to assist with making it a seamless event, from start to finish.

The opening ceremony on Sept. 16 included a welcome by Geneva Mojado who wore many hats throughout the games. She serves as Soboba Tribal Council Vice Chairwoman, headed this year’s N.I.A.A. Committee and gave it her all on the field as a member of the Soboba Women’s team, who placed second in 2021 and again this year.

“This is our biggest N.I.A.A. Tournament thus far,” she said. “Welcome to our homeland, welcome to Soboba. We are at about 8,000 acres here, we have over 1,500 Tribal members with about 900 of them being adults and we love softball.”

On behalf of the Tribe, she thanked everyone for coming to Soboba to enjoy the N.I.A.A. tournament once again, stating that it would not be possible to host without the generosity of all the sponsors and volunteers.

Each year, honorariums are presented to those who have been instrumental in playing a significant role in the softball community. Those recognized for 2022 were the late Yoli McCarter and Irene “Grams” Martinez, who passed away in 2020. Mojado said the N.I.A.A. Committee chose two of its biggest softball fans this year, both who helped out so many teams, local and far away, by opening their homes and hearts to players.

Randy’s A’s men’s team consisted of many players from Canada, including Gage Martin. His late father, Randy Martin, moved to California to live with his aunt and uncle in Corona to pursue a baseball dream. He met Yoli, who became a huge part of his life. Over the years, she supported all players and considered them part of her family regardless of the uniform they wore. Randy’s A’s dedicated the tournament to Yoli, who is missed by members of the BC Arrows, Randy’s A’s and all the teams their ball families have represented.

Gage Martin, 17, playing in his first tournament at Soboba, is an outfielder and first baseman. He was chosen to throw out the ceremonial first pitch in memory of his father Randy and Yoli to officially start the men’s games.

Irene “Grams” Martinez (Placencia) was recognized for her unwavering support of the N.I.A.A. tournament for many years. She was an avid sponsor of the tournament and a huge softball fan. Her favorite team, Bryan’s Blackhawks, wore jerseys that honored her by having her name on its uniforms’ sleeves. The sport took her all over the United States to watch her family members and extended softball family play in Native and non-Native tournaments. The N.I.A.A. Committee took pride in honoring her for her dedication and sponsorship of the tournament and the sport in general and will greatly miss her.

Throwing out the ceremonial first pitch on behalf of Grams to mark the official beginning of the women’s games was Gary Placencia. Bryan’s Blackhawks members are from California, Oklahoma and Nevada who join together for certain tournaments. Frank Gonzales grew up on the Soboba Indian Reservation and lives in Murrieta now. George Woods has been on the team for 10 to 15 years and gave the opening blessing at the opening ceremony. Both men recall Grams supporting the team since they were little kids.

Like many other teams, Bryan’s Blackhawks is intergenerational. Gonzales’ brother and nephew play on the team as well as Woods’ nephew.

“I like fastpitch because it’s quicker and I grew up playing it,” Gonzales said. “I started playing on the men’s team here (at Soboba) when I was about 11. It was only sand where these baseball fields are now.”

Soboba Parks and Recreation Director Andy Silvas, who is also on the N.I.A.A. Committee, has played on the Beernuts team since 1995 but this is the first year they have had enough Native players to be in the N.I.A.A. tournament. As pitcher, his team won its first game on Friday evening.

“I like that it is an all-Native event and that we get to see some great Native talent from all over,” Silvas said. “The level of play and players is very good.”

Men’s teams coming out on top at the end of the weekend were Pala Braves, first; Randy’s A’s, second; Morongo Men’s Club, third; and Cali Reds, fourth.

Caleb Keeshig with Randy’s A’s was named MVP Pitcher and Eloy Montoya from the Pala Braves earned MVP Player. All Tourney honors for outstanding play throughout the weekend were awarded to Pala Braves’ Tommy “26” Herrera, Tyson Magginni and Lance Molina; Randy’s A’s Ethan Lans, Jarrett Potskins and Jonah Jerry; Morongo Men’s Club’s “Lefty” and Stevie Silvas; and Cali Reds’ Luther Salgado and “2uk.”

 Women’s teams that scored were Morongo Women, first; Soboba Women, second, Youngins, third; and Pala Women, fourth.

Cary Moon with Morongo Women was named MVP Pitcher and Shylene Helms-Velarde from Soboba Women earned MVP Player. All Tourney honors for outstanding play throughout the weekend were awarded to Morongo Women’s Bea, Shelby and Gibby; Soboba Women’s Yaway Briones and Steph Dixon; Youngins’ Buster and Kee-peun Calac; and Pala Women’s Jona Nejo and Caitlynn Griffith.

N.I.A.A. Committee member and outstanding photographer Rhonda Valenzuella posted the following remarks on social media at the close of the tournament, along with hundreds of photos.

“On behalf of the N.I.A.A. Fastpitch Softball Committee, I’d like to thank every single one of you who made it out here this year. I know every year is special, but this year just felt different,” she wrote. “The atmosphere was peaceful and yet there was so much energy. It was a beautiful weekend spent with a lot of amazing players, family and supporters. We hope you felt like family during your weekend with us.”

Valenzuella also thanked the families of this year’s honorariums.

“Yoli and Grams were some strong, amazing Native Women! We are all truly lucky to have known them. They’ve touched the lives of so many people,” she said. “They fully supported this sport and had a rare, unconditional love for those who played it. They were definitely a major staple in our tournament here over the years. They are truly missed. Seeing their names on hats and jerseys this weekend was absolutely remarkable. Thank you for sharing these beautiful women with our community. Please stay safe on your journeys home. Thank you for joining us this year, we hope to see you next year.”

Sponsors were thanked throughout the weekend for their contributions that helped make the tournament a success. They are, alphabetically, Agua Band of Cahuilla Indians, Alliant Insurance Services Inc., Black Oak Casino Resort, Cabazon Band of Mission Indians, Morongo Band of Mission Indians, Pala Band of Mission Indians, Pechanga Band of Luiseño Indians, PepsiCo Inc., San Pasqual Band of Mission Indians, Soboba Band of Luiseño Indians, Soboba Casino Resort, Soboba Foundation, and Twenty-Nine Palms Band of Mission Indians.

The post All Native Fastpitch Softball Tournament at Soboba Hits a Home Run appeared first on The Hemet & San Jacinto Chronicle.

The National Indian Athletic Association (N.I.A.A.) All Native Fastpitch Softball Tournament was played out on the ball fields at the Soboba Band of Luiseño Indians reservation as the tribe hosted the event from Sept. 20 through 22.

Soboba has been hosting the popular event consistently since 2007 and had hosted it previously in 1998 and 1999. This year attracted a dozen women’s teams to The Oaks and 11 men’s teams to the Soboba Sports Complex to participate in bracket play with a three-game guarantee.

The top four winning teams were announced on Sunday after the tournament that played through the entire weekend.

Among the men’s teams, first place ($4,000) was awarded to Morongo Men’s Club, second place ($2,000) went to WAH, in third place ($1,000) were the Cali Reds and fourth place ($500) finishers were the South Dakota Warriors.

Earning the same amount in prize money for the women’s teams were the first place Morongo Women, second place Rezilience, third place Wololok and fourth place So Cal Youngins.

Team members were from throughout California, several other states, and Canada.

Geneva Mojado, who heads the N.I.A.A. Committee, was pleased with the unique trophies that were created for the tournament and presented to the winners. They were made by Yellow Corn Woman (AJ Cabral).

“Our opening ceremony is always a highlight because it gives us the opportunity to honor those of the past or present and to be able to share their love and dedication to the sport of softball,” Mojado said.

This year’s first pitch was made by Gerald Norte, father of this year’s honorarium: Jeffery Norte. A tribute to the 47-year-old who passed away in April of 2018, was included in the event’s program.

Norte was Cahuilla and Paiute from Morongo who was born in Bellflower to Linda and Gerald Norte. Jeffery Norte spent a lot of time at parks and around ballfields, watching his father and uncles play and developed a love for the sport at an early age. He started playing Little League baseball when he was seven years old and earned a spot on the All-Star Team every year.

A good hitter with the ability to play any position made Norte a great team player, but it was on the mound where he shined the brightest. At the age of 15, he joined the California Braves Men’s Team and traveled to Arizona to play in the very popular C.R.I.T. Annual. He made his pitching debut wearing number 16 and led the team to victory. Norte was selected as All-Tourney. He continued to play solo-pitch in that tournament with the California Braves until he was well into his 40s.

Norte began playing fastpitch when he was 22 as a member of the Morongo Men’s Team. He then joined the Rez Men Fastpitch Team and eventually played for the So Cal Tribes team, which was a combination of players from both the Rez Men and Soboba B.B.C. teams. So Cal Tribes went on to win many tournaments with Jeffery Norte often receiving All-Tourney. He was remembered as a talented native ball player and an all-around good person.

The bleachers were filled with cheering spectators, and many volunteers helped in and around the fields with anything that needed to be done to make sure things ran all three days smoothly. Volunteers included Joseph Placencia, Ralph and Juana Durret, San Jacinto Unified School District personnel, Tina Placencia, Soboba Women’s Softball Team which Mojado pitches for and Gordon Placencia.

S.J.U.S.D. superintendent Diane Perez said district staff was pleased to give back to Soboba by offering their support at the tournament for the fourth year in a row. More than 80 volunteers worked two- to three-hour shifts throughout the weekend keeping the fields, stands and parking lots clean, ensuring teams had sufficient water, keeping score and more.

“We look forward to this every year as it is our way of demonstrating our gratitude for Soboba’s continuous support of our students and staff,” Perez said.

Mojado said it wouldn’t be possible to host such an event without the involvement of so many.

“I’d like to thank my fellow committee members, our sponsors, our registration committee, our volunteers and special thanks to the Soboba Fire Department, Soboba Clinic, Soboba Sports Complex, The Oaks and all staff,” she said. “A big thank you goes to Andrew Vallejos for all his hard work and dedication as well.”

Mojado added that vendors and merchants were also appreciated and that a true team spirit prevailed to make this year’s tournament one of the best so far.

Find your latest news here at the Hemet & San Jacinto Chronicle

Search: Native softball tournament

The post SOBOBA HOSTS ALL NATIVE SOFTBALL TOURNAMENT appeared first on The Hemet & San Jacinto Chronicle.