Young Softball Player Shines at Babe Ruth World Series, Winning Championship
October 23, 2026
Emma Hughes
Community Newsperson
Competing on a national stage is an accomplishment for any young athlete, but for Mireya Carpio, her recent participation in the Babe Ruth World Series in Alabama this Summer, provided an opportunity to showcase her talent, dedication, and determination while earning multiple titles, including the 2026 14U Championship.
The 14-year-old softball player represented the Gila River Indian Community with Na7ive Na7ions, the first-ever all Native American team to compete in the tournament since it first began 75 years ago.
The Babe Ruth World Series is a collection of annual youth baseball and softball national and international tournament championships organized by the Babe Ruth League, Inc.
Carpio competed against talented athletes from across the Country. The experience marked an important milestone in her athletic journey and allowed her to test her skills at a high level of competition.
Na7ive Na7ions is also a non-profit organization dedicated to empowering Native American youth through baseball and softball, founded by Major League Baseball player Daniel “D.J.” Carrasco. The team competed against Puerto Rico, winning 6-4 and going 9-1 throughout the tournament.
In July, Na7ive Na7ions held a national tournament in Prescott, Ariz., where athletes competed for the opportunity to be evaluated and considered for the Na7ive Na7ions Girls National Softball team.
Carpio was selected to join the team, along with 10 other young athletes from the Comanche Nation, Navajo Nation, Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community and the White Mountain Apache Tribe, all of whom were meeting for the first time.
“I got put on a random team and just played the entire tournament for fun,” Carpio said. “I got a lot of new experiences, opportunities and met a lot of cool new people from different states. I really enjoyed it.”
“We didn’t know they were scouting the team out to go to the Babe Ruth World Series,” her mother, Isabel Ruvalcaba, explained. “She was selected one out of 12 to enter and be on the national team to travel.”
Her cousin, Reyes Ruvalcaba, was also selected to play for the boys’ baseball team for Na7ive Na7ions.
In addition to winning the championship in the Babe Ruth World Series, Carpio was awarded All-Defensive Player, All-Offensive Player, and Most Outstanding Player of the division and three-player of the games.
“When I got to represent my tribe on opening day, with my flag and traditional dress, I was the first person to represent my community,” said Carpio. “Getting that opportunity, it was great and honestly for the future generation – it felt really good to be able to be somebody to look up to and [become] proof that you can perform on a big stage as a Native American, and that we aren’t overlooked. So it was a really big honor to me.”
For Carpio, those achievements reflected the time and effort invested in developing her skills and preparing for competition. Her journey in sports began when she was only four years old, “I was coached by my mom and mostly my uncles,” she said.
Since then, she has continued to develop as a player, balancing practices, competition, and other responsibilities while working towards her goals.
Behind her success is a support system that includes her family, coaches, teammates, and Community. Their encouragement, along with her commitment to the sport, has helped her navigate the challenges that come with competitive athletics.
While most of the tournament expenses were covered, Carpio needed assistance with travel and received help from local sponsors in the Community: Akimel Smoke Shop, Gila River Telecommunications, Inc., and Gila River Indian Community Utility Authority, REDRUM Motorcycle Club, and the Tribal Recreation & Wellness Department.
“We’re very thankful for them for allowing us the opportunity,” said Ruvalcaba.
Beyond the titles and recognition, the World Series experience also taught her valuable lessons about teamwork and personal growth. “This championship created visibility far beyond a final score,” Na7ive Na7ions stated. “It showed Native girls that they belong on national and international stages and demonstrated what becomes possible when athletes are given access, preparation, representation, and the opportunity to compete together.”
Carpio plans to finish high school and go on to college softball. When asked what she likes most about the sport, she said friendships.
“I also love how it can teach life lessons in and out of the sport, which also pushes me to be better,” she explained.