May Bandit Birthdays

Bandit Cory Falvey turned 34 on May 9. Cory earned the 2009 Texas High School Player of the Year award becoming the only El Paso baseball player to ever earn the distinction, he was named Final 4 Texas State Championship MVP, he earned High School All State honors, was a multiple All City & All District Selection.  Cory was 1 of 4 Bandits to play on the 2009 Texas High School 5A State Champions earning El Paso’s first High School State Baseball Championship since 1949. As a Bandit, Cory played all 3 outfield positions, played 3rd Base and pitched. Happy Birthday Cory!

“Lil” Bandit Julian Esparza turned 15 on May 10. Julian is a member of our 8U “Lil” Bandits who are playing in the 8U Sportspark League. Julian was named to the 7U Cloudview League All Star team for his Bandit team while he was still 5 years old. “Happy Birthday” Julian!

Bandit Joseph Gonzalez turned 32 on May 14. Joseph earned a varsity letter for each of his four high school seasons at Chapin High School as their starting catcher. His Huskies reached the playoffs all four years. Joseph received multiple 1-4A All District honors. Gonzalez knocked in Chapin’s final run of the 2011 season in their playoff loss and he did so on his birthday. He was a Bandit from age 8 playing with teammates who were always at least 2 years older than he. He was a left handed hitting middle infielder. Happy Birthday Joseph!

Bandit Brayden Peterson turned 25 on May 15. Brayden was a top of the rotation pitcher, who also played center field, third base and shortstop for his Bandit team. He emerged as the team’s lead-off hitter and worked hard not only as a hitter but also was a base runner setting the table for his Bandit teammates. Peterson completed his freshman season and sophomore seasons at Coronado High School earned a promotion to the Varsity as a sophomore. He was a starting pitcher for the T-Birds and earned All District Honors in his Senior season. Brayden is a College Graduate pursuing a Master’s Degree at Texas Tech University. Happy Birthday Brayden!

Bandit Josh “9’er” Bombach turned 25 on May 15. In the Summer of 2015, Josh was selected to the National Under Armour Select team. “9’er” was the Co-MVP in his freshman season on the Coronado High School JV. He pitched, caught, played third base, shortstop, second base and first base for the T-Birds and batted in the heart of the order finishing the season occupying the clean-up spot. In 2018, Josh completed 3 consecutive years of earning 1-6A All District recognition as a Pitcher. Josh pitched, caught, played shortstop and second base for his Bandits. Josh has a superior work ethic and is a positive personality and a great influence on his teammates. Josh completed his degree from the prestigious McCombs School of Business and the University of Texas in May 2022. Happy Birthday “9’er.”

Bandit Mom Bonnie Aguilar celebrated her birthday on May 21. Mrs. Aguilar was a unconditional and supportive Mom to Bandit Jacob Aguilar who pitched and played infield for the Bandits and later went on to become a 2 sport (Football and Baseball) All City Honoree for Montwood High School. Jacob earned All Conference Honors on the field and Dean’s List Academic honors for St. Mary’s University from where he graduated. Bonnie and Bandit Coach John have never wavered in the support of older daughter Jennifer and Jacob. The competitive spirit in Jacob and Jennifer has been fueled by the vocal and highly visible support and unconditional love that Mrs. Aguilar has showered on her children. “Happy Birthday” Bonnie!

Ruben Archuleta turned 30 on May 28. Ruben was a two year player with the Bandits. He pitched, caught and played both corner infield positions for his team. Ruben was one of the hardest throwing and hardest working players on his team. He batted in the heart of the order for his Bandit teams. He pitched in the upper end of the rotation. Ruben was a three year starter at Del Valle High School. He continued his baseball journey pitching for Southwestern Christian University and El Paso Community College. He is also “gave back” to our Silver Anniversary Bandits by practicing and working out with them. “Happy Birthday” Ruben!

Pat Lopez celebrates her birthday on May 28. Pat is the Aunt to two of our Bandits who played on all three National Finalist squads. Adam Lopez played on our 1998 and 2000 squads while brother Justin played on our 2002 team. Pat has always strongly supported her nephews and their Bandit teams traveling to all of our local and out of town tournaments including our World Series ventures. She is a great Aunt to her nephews and a great supporter of their life journeys. Happy Birthday Pat!

Bandits Win Total Stands at # 2,553

The Bandits achieved Two Thousand Five Hundred Victories on March 23, 2014 when they bested the Artesia New Mexico Yard Dogs 4-3 in walk off fashion in the bottom of the seventh inning of a USSSA Tournament game in Las Cruces New Mexico. It reads more impressively when spelled out and quite an accomplishment for youth baseball in West Texas. Heck a researcher would have to cover quite a bit of the United States to find a baseball program with as many wins. We are near the top and have become what our Players, Parents, Families, Fans, Supporters and Coaches have made us – El Paso’s Premier Youth Baseball Organization. With our history we stand Loud and Proud. Our current victory total stands at 2,553. Thanks to our current Bandits we have a very promising Future. Thanks to one and all!

First Team Formed: April 15, 1989 (10U Division – 3 8-year olds on team)
First Game: May 1, 1989 @ Ponder Park (Bandits 8 – Airport Optimist 2)
First Batter: 8-year old Champ Hernandez
First Hit: Champ Hernandez doubled to left field, first at bat for the Bandits
First Run Scored: Champ Hernandez (2X2, 2B, BB, 2 stolen bases, 3 runs scored)
First Winning Pitcher: Joshua Kallail May 1, 1989
First Spring Season: 1989 Won Eastern League Championship @ Ponder Park (12-3 record)
First Fall Season: 1989 First time held @ Sportspark, won Championship (8-0 record)
First City Championship: 1990 Boys Baseball of El Paso City Championship (42-1)
First Tournament Championship: 1990 Boys Baseball Pre-Season Tournament (April)
First Texas Tournament Championship: Texas Baseball Classic @ Ft. Worth (July 1992)

First Championship: 1989 Eastern League @ Ponder Park 10U – 1 team; 1989 Champions Sportsplex Inagural Fall Season (Undefeated) 10U
First Undefeated Season: 1989 Fall Baseball @ Champions Sportsplex 10U Division (8-0)
First Year Multiple Divisions Swept: 1990 Won 10U & 12U City Championship (2 teams)

1991: Won 10U & 12U City Championships (2 teams)
1992: Moved to Sportspark to play Spring and Fall Seasons; Won 11U Championship, State Finalist 12U Tournament  (1 team)
1993: Won 12U Division (1 team)
1994: Won 10U, 11U, 12U, 13U, 14U, 16U Divisions (6 teams)
1995: Won 10U, 11U, 12U, 13U, 14U, 16U Divisions (6 teams)
1996: Won 11U, 12U, 13U, 14U, 16U Divisions (6 teams)
1997: Won 10U, 11U, 12U, 13U, 14U, 16U, 18U Divisions (7 teams)
1998: Won 11U, 12U, 13U, 14U, 16U, 18U Divisions (6 teams)
1999: Won 12U, 13U, 14U, 16U, 18U Divisions (5 teams)
2000: Won 14U (1 team) went undefeated in league play, advanced to National Finals
Previous Bandit teams stayed together, used their new team names)
2001: Won 10U Division (1 team)
2002: Won 11U Division and advanced to National Finals (1 team)
2003: Won 12U Division and finished 5th in Nation (1 team)
2004: Won 9U State Championship (1 team)
2005: Won 13U Sportspark Spring Playoffs Championship (2 teams)
2005: Won 14U Sportspark Fall League & Playoffs Championships (2 teams)
2006: Won 14U Sportspark League Championship; Won 11U Sportspark League Championship (2 teams)

First Texas State AABC Championship: 1994 (Coach Javier)
First Texas State USSSA Championship: 2000 @ Lubbock Texas (Coach Larry)
First Texas State Super Series Championship: 2002 (Coach Larry)
First National Regional Championship: 1997 @ Colorado Springs Colorado (Coach Larry)
First National Championship Game: 1998 Triple Crown 11U Division @ Steamboat Springs, Colorado (Coach Larry)

First Player to Sign College Letter of Intent with 4 year school: Aaron Forrister with Southwest Texas State University (now known as Texas State University) January 1999

First Player to Sign Junior College Letter of Intent: Champ Hernandez with Pima Junior College (Tucson Arizona) May 1999
First Player to Sign Professional Contract: Ramsey Carter (Kansas City Royals) 2001
First Player Selected to NAIA All-America team: Aaron Forrister and Micah Pennies (both with College of the Southwest)
First Player Selected to NCAA All-America team: Omar Quintanilla (Texas Longhorns)
First Player to Win College National Championship: Omar Quintanilla (Texas Longhorns)
First Player Selected in 1st Round of Major League Draft: Omar Quintanilla (Oakland A’s)
First to Play in the Major Leagues: Omar Quintanilla – Colorado Rockies (July 31, 2005)

Longest Consecutive Game Winning Streak: 53 Wins (2000 13U)
Latest Championship: 13U 2014 Southwest Baseball Spring League (14-0 record)

Win # 2400: June 18, 2006

Win # 2500: March 23, 2014

October 30, 2016: Bandit teams have a combined record of 2,553 wins and 527 losses with a winning percentage of 83%

Bandits Connection to High School Final 4

The Bandits have connections to the El Paso teams that have reached the Texas High School Baseball Final 4:

Bandit Coach Mark Dillon played shortstop on the 1965 Austin High School Panthers Final 4 team

Bandit Coach Larry Hernandez coached 8 of the 9 hitters on the 1983 Burges High School Mustangs Final 4 team

Bandit Coach Mark Dillon coached Rocky Coppinger, Rey Herrera and many players in their offseason formative years leading to the 1992 Coronado High School Thunderbirds Final 4 team

Bandit Coach Mark Dillon coached Beto Romo and Omar Ferniza on a Bandits team before the pair became the two pitchers at the top of the rotation for the 2000 Riverside High School Rangers Final 4 team

Bandit Coach Larry Hernandez coached George Stoltz, Cory Falvey, Jessiray Navarratte and Bobby Mares on a Bandit squad before they occupied the # 1, # 3, # 4 and # 5 spots in the batting order for the 2009 Texas High School State Baseball Champion Socorro Bulldogs. Falvey was named Texas High School Player of the Year. Mares was the “Ace” Pitcher and Navarrette, Falvey and Mares earned All State Honors.

Papa Bandit and the Bandit Way

Who was your first game of catch with? Thank You to my Son Champ and nearly a thousand kids for the greatest game of Catch I ever played.

Coach Larry Hernandez has been Blessed to share that memory making game of catch with young kids since 1971. The goal remains the same, to excite and inspire kids to focus on fun and fundamentals and a thirst to want to play the game more next year than they did at the beginning of this year. Coach Larry has proudly and humbly offered his time, dedication and commitment to elevate, empower and encourage youth. His teams have achieved National levels of success including playing in 3 National Championship Finals, National Regional Champions, Texas State Champions and an enduring spirit of relationships fueled by nostalgia and channeled in a fountain of monumental moments. The mission has never wavered in growing Great Young Men, One Little Boy at a time.

Bandits must stay Relentless in Our Pursuit of Excellence

A Love for the Game and a Respect for Playing it the Right Way starts at the earliest level.