Staff Reports | Community Updates
The energy is still running high after a youth baseball team made history as the first Native American team to participate in the 2025 Babe Ruth World Series in Branson, Missouri last month.
The Native Nations team was selected from over 160 players from more than 40 tribes in eight states. The team was chosen after competing in a tournament at Salt River Pima–Maricopa Indian Community near Scottsdale.
This historic moment was made possible by former professional baseball player and Native Nations founder, DJ Carrasco.
“Na7ive Na7ions came together through years of conversations, relationship-building, and a shared vision to give Native athletes the same opportunities as anyone else,” Mr. Carrasco said in a prepared statement. “It’s been about trust, respect, and a collective belief that our athletes deserve a place on the world stage.”
The youth baseball tournament offers a “big-league experience” that’s not always available to Tribal communities.
“Tribal communities are often overlooked, especially on the diamond,” Mr. Carrasco explained. “They deserve the same opportunities to be represented as sovereign Nations, just like every other country that competes internationally. When we invest in our communities, the impact lasts for generations. That 7-generational thinking is embedded in our name for a reason.”
For player Jace Huma, a proud member of the Hopi Tribe, it was an incredible experience.
“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. “I felt happy and full of pride knowing my family and friends who live on the Hopi reservation were cheering me on.”
Mr. Huma was thrilled to “see the competitive and elite talent of other players” nationally and around the world. “But the biggest highlight was making new friendships and training with health coaches. I truly enjoyed playing with them.”
Teammate Angel “JJ” Medina from the Pascua Yaqui Tribe agrees.
“I was excited about the opportunity to go somewhere new, so everything just had me in awe. Being able to represent my Tribe in Missouri was something I never imagined would be possible. I feel blessed about the whole experience and opportunity I’ve been given.”
Youth player, Sir Hendrix Sneezy, from the San Carlos Apache Tribe shared similar sentiments.
“I was thinking of how proud my family was and how it was a good opportunity for me to showcase my abilities … and represent my Tribe and journey at the Babe Ruth World Series.”
What’s next? Mr. Carrasco says it’ll be building on this momentum and “expanding programs, camps, strengthening partnerships and preparing Native athletes for international competition.”
