AZ Native Elite Shines at the 26th Annual D-backs Inter-Tribal Baseball Tournament

July 10, 2026

Jeston Morris

Gila River Indian News

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — Nearly 1,500 fans and youth athletes representing 20 tribes across eight states attended the 26th Annual D-backs Inter-Tribal Baseball Tournament at Salt River Field on June 8-11.  The 84-team tournament was presented by Talking Stick Resort, supported by Resolution Copper and Nike, and played on the ancestral homeland of the Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community.

The AZ Native Elites captured the Triple A Championship. They are based out of Gila River Indian Community. The New Mexico Sundevils captured the Double-A Championship. The team is from New Mexico. The Bravettes captured the Triple A Softball Championship. The Double A and Triple A championship games were played at Salt River Field. Triple A Softball was played at the ALA Academy Field.     

The Diamondbacks Foundation launched a tournament in 1999. It has grown to become the largest tournament for Native American youth. The Arizona Diamondbacks remain the only Major League Baseball organization to host a baseball tournament for Native American athletes.

The team coaches and players reflected on their championship.

“Our championship win is awesome. It’s a great experience for all our players. We have won multiple championships. This championship is special because this is our first championship with this group at this age level, 15-18. We got to keep pushing for all the young talented players from the reservation,” said Coach Raul Ruvalcaba, GRIC member from District 5.

“Our team, AZ Native Elite, has players from Gila River Indian Community and Pascua Yaqui in Guadalupe. They have been playing together for five years. I want to give a shout-out to all the parents. They make all of this happen.”

“I feel great about our championship win. Our team is very special. We have a lot of chemistry together. I feel great about my MVP award. It’s well deserved. I would like to give a shout-out to all my teammates, my mother and father, and especially God,” said Angel Anthony Rendon, defensive zone outfield player.

“Oh man, there’s a few time we came really close to winning. We finally won the championship. It feels awesome,” said Coach Joseph Suina, New Mexico Sundevils.

“I feel good about our championship win. We got the sticks going and we came through at the end,” said Ben Draper, MVP, catcher and second baseman.

AZ Native Elite 16U team

Head Coach Raul Ruvalcaba

Assistant coach Lorenzo Ruvalcaba

Assistant Coach Anthony Ruvalcaba

#24 Reyes Ruvalcaba

#31 Uriah Perdro

#8 Athyn Alphus

# 4 Angel Rendon

#18 Sir Hendrix Sneezy

# 19 Abel Valenzuela

#44 Justin “Ty” Andrews

# 7 Nathaniel Amacio

#42 Ruben McElroy

#20 Angel “JJ” Medina

#45 Tony Medina

#23 Arturo Espino

# 35 Jacinto Espinoza III

#14 Gabriel Gutierrez