December Birthdays

December 3: “Original Lil” Bandit and Bandit Tré Bombach turned 15. Tre is a member of our historical first ever “Lil” Bandit T-Ball and “Lil” Bandit Coach Pitch teams. Tre played Pitcher, Second Base, Shortstop, Third Base, First Base and the Outfield for his Bandit team or in other words all positions except for Catcher. He hit in the heart of the order sliding between the first and third spots in the batting order. Tre is Blessed to enjoy the unconditional support of Team Mom Marcella and Dad Coach Charlie. He plays middle infield and pitches for the B-17 Legends and is the “Original” B-17 Legend as well. He is a Freshman at Coronado High School enjoying success in multiple sports including. Happy Birthday Tre!

December 4: Tommy Heck turned 38. Tommy is a member of our 1998 and 2000 National Finalists. At the 1998 Triple Crown World Series in Steamboat Springs Colorado, Tommy finished in 3rd place in the 60 yard national sprint behind teammate Robert Gallegos. Heck went on to become an All District baseball player at Eastwood High School. During his college years, Tommy competed in college rodeo competitions. Happy Birthday Tommy!

December 9: Aaron “The Original Niner” Forrister turned 44. He played for Coach Larry Hernandez from age 9 to 14 and Coach Brian Forrister from age 15 through high school. Aaron pitched, caught and played mostly shortstop and second base during his time with the Bandits. He usually batted lead-off and was a major “offensive force” for his teams. Aaron was usually called on to pitch the toughest games. He played on the Bandits first city championship in 1990. Every year he played, the Bandits won a league championship. He was a member of the team which won the first El Paso youth championship on the road winning the Texas Baseball Classic at Fort Worth Texas in 1992. In 1998 he was a member of the Bandit team which won the High Desert Classic in Albuquerque New Mexico defeating high school seniors and college freshmen with a team of high school juniors and underclassmen. Aaron lettered in soccer for the Hanks Knights his freshman year. He lettered all four years in baseball.  Aaron earned All-City and All-District honors multiple times during his high school career.  Aaron was a member of the National Honor Society in high school.  Aaron earned his degree from the College of the Southwest in Hobbs New Mexico where he currently resides and works in marketing media communication. Forrister earned Most Valuable Player team honors, All-Conference and All-American recognition while playing collegiately.  Aaron is very protective of his Bandit # 9 and openly refers to himself as the “Original and True Niner”. Aaron is a joy to the world, to his Forrister family including his Son Christian Michael and wife and to our Bandit family. Happy Birthday to “The Original Niner”!

December 10: Ruben “Niner” Rodriguez turned 29. Ruben played both middle infield positions and pitched for his Bandit teams. On his last Bandit team he batted leadoff on his 12 and under squad even though he was only 11 years old. Rodriguez was known for his numerous web gems and was a clutch hitter offensively. “Niner” is well respected by all of the older and younger Bandits who have watched him play in games or participate in baseball camps. He always seems to “wow” those in attendance. In the first year of varsity competition for the school, Rodriguez was named to the All City team as a infielder for Eastlake High School. Rodriguez was named District 2-5A Most Valuable Player and was the first athlete to sign a college athletic scholarship in Eastlake High School history. He played as a freshman on scholarship at Paris Junior College. He also played collegiately at Southwestern Oklahoma State University and Tarleton State University where he earned All Conference Tournament honors. He spent his summers playing in Canada. He has been Blessed with extraordinary athletic Most Valuable Player at the USSSA World Series. The “Youngest Niner” got 19 hits in 23 at bats for his National Championship squad. Rodriguez was a multiple All District and All City selection for his Eastlake High School Falcons including earning an District MVP selection. He continues his baseball journey coaching collegiately at Tarleton State University and completing his Master’s Degree and he is the new Head Baseball Coach at Texas A & M International University in Laredo Texas. Happy Birthday “Niner”!

December 11: Justin “10’er” Lopez turned 34. Justin is a member of our 2002 National Finalist. Lopez pitched and played middle infield on his Bandit teams. Justin was primarily our shortstop and hit in the heart of the order. He earned the right to wear one of our Bandit “held” numbers with his play and brought additional distinction to the number 10. Justin played at Riverside high school where he lettered in both football and baseball. Lopez was named to the Texas 4-A All State Football team as a defensive back. Justin was an All District performer in both football and baseball and a top student in the classroom. Lopez wore one of the Bandit “held numbers” donning the # 10 in his final year. Justin is a member of our 2002 National Finalists who along with his Bandit teammates played in the four hour 11 inning 3-2 National Championship Game. His older brother Adam is a member of our 1998 and 2000 National Finalists meaning the Lopez Family has contributed to all of the Bandit National finalists. Justin is a star in every endeavor he engages. Lopez coaches football and soccer at Prosper High School and is a Proud Dad of 3 daughters and 1 son. Happy Birthday Justin!

December 12: Bandit Mom Marcella Bombach. Marcella and husband Coach Charlie are the inspiration and foundation that led to the creation of our first ever “Lil” Bandits. Happy Birthday Marcella!

December 21: Isaac “Ice” Herrera turned 34. Isaac is a member of our 2002 National Finalist. Issac pitched, caught and played both corner positions for his Bandit teams. Isaac played at Del Valle High School where he earned four varsity letters in baseball and received All District recognition. “Ice” continued his baseball journey after high school earning a scholarship playing at El Paso Community College. Happy Birthday “Ice, Ice” Isaac!

December 22: Bandit Joe “Joey” Calderon turned 44. Joey joined the Bandits for their State Playoff run at the age of 12. The Sportspark League Championship game won by the Bandits over the Rockies was tagged as the “Calderon Bowl”. The Bandits chose Joey as the first pick to add to their roster for the AABC State Tournament. Calderon helped the Bandits gain a berth in the 12U State Finals. He continued play with the Bandits through age 17 and part of 5 League Championships, Final 4 State Berths in Round Rock and Dallas, a Texas State Finals Berth, a National Regional appearance in Houston and a role in the “Miracle in the Desert” Championship in Albuquerque. He was a top of the rotation Pitcher and played Shortstop. Joey went on to play at Ysleta High School. He currently lives in Denver with his wife Jeannette and their children.

December 25: Noel Piñon turned 30. Noel is a member of our 2004 9 and under State Championship squad. Noel pitched, played first base and all three outfield positions. Noel is our “Christmas Bandit” and a pleasant, hard working young man. He was a high academic achiever in the classroom and a clutch performer at the “yard”. He was a member of the District Champion and “Sweet 16” Montwood High School Rams in 2012. In his senior year in 2013, he helped pitch the Montwood Rams to a repeat District championship and playoff berth. Happy Birthday Noel!

Bandit Mom Irma Lopez celebrated on December 27. Two of her sons Adam and Justin have played on all three Bandit National Finalists Adam Lopez in 1998 & 2000 and Justin Lopez in 2002. Adam celebrated his birthday on November 30 and Justin on December 11 so the past month has been filled with birthday cake at the Lopez residence. Happy Birthday Irma!

Marv “Marvelous” Thompson celebrated again on December 27. Marv completed his baseball career as a Major League Scout with the Milwaukee Brewers organization serving as Senior Advisor to the General Manager. Previously Marv worked with the Major League Scouting Bureau rising from the amateur ranks to the Professional scouting circuit. He started his association with Coach Larry Hernandez and the Bandits in 1990 when he launched the Doyle Baseball Schools training sessions here in El Paso. Marv was also the Director of Operations for the Arizona State Sun Devils baseball team under Coach Murphy. Many of our Bandits from the inception attended and/or received instruction from Mr. Thompson and his staff. Our relationship is as strong as ever and because of Marv we have expanded many of our contacts in the college coaching and professional scouting ranks. Happy Birthday “Maravilloso”!

“Ram” Guzman celebrated again on December 28. Mr. Guzman started his association with the Bandits as a sponsor in the early 1990’s. He has always supported the Bandits and their positive endeavors in whatever manner we ask. He is a true and loyal friend to our organization. He is the Co-Founder along with Bandit Coach Larry Hernandez of the baseball and softball programs at El Paso Community College. Happy Birthday “Ram!”