NA7IVE NA7IONS NATIONAL TEAM 2026 16U BASEBALL TEAM
Native athletes representing their Tribal Nations and communities while competing against teams from across the United States and around the world.
REPRESENTING TRIBAL NATIONS. COMPETING ON A WORLD STAGE. BUILDING WHAT COMES NEXT.
FROM NATIONAL TOURNAMENT TO WORLD SERIES
2026 JOURNEY STARTS HERE
The 2026 journey began at the Na7ive Na7ions 16U National Baseball Tournament at Salt River Fields in Scottsdale, Arizona. Athletes competed not only for their tournament teams, but also for the opportunity to be evaluated and considered for the Na7ive Na7ions 16U National Team.
Selected athletes from different Tribal Nations and communities came together to represent Na7ive Na7ions at the 2026 Babe Ruth World Series in Missouri. There, they competed against teams from across the United States and international programs representing Colombia, Aruba, and the United Kingdom.
MEET THE TEAM
ONE TEAM-MANY NATIONS-ONE PURPOSE
ANGEL "JJ" MEDINA
PASQUA YAQUI
AMIR WOODIE NAVAJO NATION
JACE HUMA HOPI
DAMIAN ALLEN
NAVAJO NATION
REYES RUVALCABA
GILA RIVER
ANGEL RIVERA FORT MCDOWELL YAVAPAI NATION
XANDER JORDAN MUSCOGEE CREEK
LOGAN BUNCH CHEROKEE
JAYDEN PEUKERT MORONGO BAND OF MISSION INDIANS
JAYDEN "JJ" PENA FORT MCDOWELL YAVAPAI NATION
SIR-PRINCE MCVAY MUSCOGEE
D.J. APODACA NAVAJO NATION
SIR' HENDRIX SNEEZY SAN CARLOS
TALYN KEWANLETZEMA SAN ILDEFONSO PUEBLO
TYLER PELT NAVAJO NATION
BRIAN MCRAE HEAD COACH
D.J. CARRASCO ASSISTANT COACH
PATRICK ASPAAS ASSISTANT COACH
BENIAKEM CROMWELL ASSISTANT COACH RANCHERIA POMO INDIANS CALIFORNIA
AUTUMN LOPEZ NUTRITION
JESSICA KASHYAP LOGISTICS COORDINATOR
GABE CRUZ LOGISTICS COORDINATOR
The World Series experience extended far beyond the baseball field. During the 10-day tournament, athletes lived together in dorms, developed stronger relationships as teammates, and met players from other countries and communities.
The length and structure of the event challenged athletes to adapt to unfamiliar surroundings, manage daily routines, communicate, recover, stay prepared, and continue competing when they were tired or uncomfortable.
These experiences build independence, resilience, accountability, and confidence—qualities that become increasingly important for athletes who want to continue into collegiate baseball and other higher levels of competition
WHAT THEY CARRIED FORWARD
BROTHERHOOD & TRUST
Living, training, and competing together helped athletes build relationships, communicate through challenges, and become accountable to something larger than individual performance.
RESILIENCE & ADAPTABILITY
Ten demanding days required athletes to manage fatigue, unfamiliar surroundings, changing roles, pressure, recovery, and the responsibility of remaining prepared.
GLOBAL PERSPECTIVE
Competing with and meeting athletes from other countries expanded their understanding of baseball, culture, opportunity, and what may be possible at higher levels.
THE EXPERIENCE ENDS. THE PATHWAY CONTINUES.
With our second year at Babe Ruth the 2026 16U National Team represents one step within the growing Na7ive Na7ions baseball pathway. Through tournaments, showcases and evaluations, Select Teams, and National Teams, Native athletes can continue developing, competing, representing their Tribal Nations, and pursuing opportunities on national and international stages.