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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Na7ive Na7ions Youth Baseball Team Returns from the Babe Ruth World Series in Missouri
A Collection of First-Ever Native Youth Tribal Members, Including Three Arizona Players, Make History
PHOENIX, Ariz. (August 24, 2025) – The energy is still running high as a youth baseball team made history, being the first Native American team to participate in the 2025 Babe Ruth World Series in Branson, Missouri, earlier this month.
The Native Nations all-star 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,” Carrasco said. “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,” explained Carrasco. “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.”
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 going in somewhere new so everything just had me in awe. Being able to represent my tribe out there in Missouri was something I never imagined would be possible at that level. Super blessed about the whole experience and opportunity I was given.”
Sir Hendrix Sneezy is from the San Carlos Apache Tribal Community. “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 to the World Series.”
“It was overwhelming—pride, joy, excitement,” added Carrasco. “My wife Autumn said, ‘We did it! Look at this team. They are here and being seen.’”
The team also received a Sportsmanship Award, voted on by staff, fans and other teams. “That proves that our athletes carried themselves with excellence on and off the field, and that’s something we’ll always be proud of,” said Carrasco.
Medina’s advice to other young athletes is, “Always give it your all. Never stop believing in yourself and your dreams.”
Sneezy said, “Cherish it and get the most out of their sport as they can.”
And Huma’s message, “Don’t be too hard on yourself, enjoy playing your sport and have fun, especially because at the end you will never know when the last time you’ll play.”
What’s next? Carrasco says it’ll be building on this momentum and “expanding programs, camps, strengthening partnerships and preparing Native athletes for international competition.”
He said it’s just the beginning. “We’re laying a foundation that will open doors for generations of Native athletes. But we can’t do it alone. Like I always say, a high tide rises all ships, and we need like-minded people to be part of this journey and provide a lift.”
If you’d like to become a sponsor, donate or become a volunteer, visit https://na7ivena7ions.com/. Click HEREfor key visuals, including photos and video.
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About Native Nations
Native Nations creates opportunities for Indigenous athletes to excel on the national and global stage. Beginning with multiple national teams competing in Babe Ruth-Cal Ripken World Series events and the Pony League, the team showcases its talent, future potential on and off the field, as well as its heritage and pride. The goal is to step onto the field, competing at the highest level possible for each young player, while inspiring others by representing their community and culture.