The Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community was well represented during the 12th Annual Arizona Diamondbacks Inter-Tribal Youth Baseball Tournament and third annual Native American Baseball and Softball Invitational (NABI), July 24–28. The Onk Akimel O’odhams, Fatdawg’s Ballers, Lil’ Indians, Woodstock I and II, Sandlot and Native Thunder teams all played in different divisions throughout the week. The tournament took place throughout the Valley, with about 100 games played in Phoenix, Tempe and on the Community. All together there were 53 teams representing Arizona, New Mexico, Nevada, California and Oklahoma, with nearly 800 participants. The SRPMIC was a tournament co-host.

Lil’ Indians Give Up One Run in Pool-Play Games
The Salt River Lil’ Indians shut out their first two opponents in pool play, including the St. Michaels D-backs 18-0 and Shiprock Native Pride 10-0. The Parker Little Braves were the only team to score on the boys during pool play, but fell 11-1 to Salt River.

New renderings for Salt River Fields at Talking Stick were unveiled this week by the architect and designer of the new Spring Training facility.

Hundreds of players gathered inside Chase Field prior to the start of the Arizona Diamondbacks game versus the San Francisco Giants on July 24 to take part in Native American Recognition Day, hosted by the Diamondbacks. It was all part of the Native American Baseball and Softball Invitational (NABI), held July 24–28.