Diné Nation takes pitching, hitting skills to N.M. tourney

FORT DEFIANCE

The five-team field will be stern, competitive and challenging in the New Mexico 9- to 11-year-old girls’ softball state tournament.

The Diné Nation Little League All-Stars are among the teams participating in the four-day, true double-elimination tournament at the Gallup High School softball field, Friday through Monday.

Diné Nation manager Veronica “Ronnie” Yellowhair said the team has been practicing for three weeks in preparation for the state tournament.

“The state tournament will be a great experience for the young ladies,” Yellowhair said. “There will be good competition.

“The young ladies earned the right to participate in the state tournament,” she said. “They all played hard throughout the season. They are rewarded by being selected to the all-star team and able to play in the state tournament.”

Diné Nation drew a first round bye and its first game is on Saturday at 3 p.m. against the winner of District 1 champion Espanola Valley and District 4 champion Las Vegas.
The second game of the state tournament has District 7 champion Copper Little League and District 9 champion Belen Little League playing at 5:30 p.m. Copper is located in southwest corner of New Mexico.

Yellowhair said she is glad the state tournament will be played in Gallup.

“Since the Diné Nation Little League was formed, all the league teams had to travel to state tournaments throughout the state of New Mexico,” she said. “Before the season began I told district commissioner Sam Gomez, it would be nice the state tournament be held close to the Navajo Nation, like Gallup. Sam told me later that my wishes have become a reality and that the state tournament will be in Gallup.”

Yellowhair said the tournament being close to Fort Defiance and Window Rock vicinity will allow fans to attend and support Diné Nation.

“The team invites everyone out to Gallup to support them throughout the state tournament,” she said. “The team appreciates all the support.”

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