THE HEART OF A CHAMPION is always beating but it always remembers to beat AS ONE . . . We Pray that our Roots helped you find your Wings – – “That God will Fill your Heart with Dreams and that Faith gives you the Courage to Continue to do Great Things”. . . In 1993, Coach Mike coined the phrase “It’s a Great Day to be a Bandit” and it remains True Today – Bandit “Round-Up” Unite & Celebrate – Happy Birthday to High School 2-sport Player and Bandit Eddie Blair who turns 35 on Friday October 23 . . . Prayers for You and your entire Family. May the challenges that you encounter and meet head on reflect your resilience and persistence in being elite. Stay relentless in your pursuit of Excellence. You are a role model for those you know and probably for many you don’t know . . . Our Home Page Picture is of our Bandit 1992 Championship Squad . . . “Prepare, Anticipate, Adapt, Care and Compete Relentlessly” . . . IRON SHARPENS IRON: “It’s not only about the positive gifts we gather but also about the positive gifts we spread” – – Our Site now Offers Music, Click the tab to listen
Eddie Blair turns 35 on October 23. “Big Man” graduated from Riverside High School where he played two sports (football and baseball). Blair was a member of our “worst to first” league champions as a 13 year old. Happy Birthday Eddie!
Happy Birthday To “Lil” Bandit Aiden Janczak turns 17 October 27
Happy Birthday To Bandit Mom Lisa Baskind celebrates October 29
Willie “Niner” Rueda turns 40 on October 30. Rueda graduated from Texas Tech University. Willie made the “Big 12 All Conference Freshman Team” playing second base and be shortstop. Willie’s sophomore year was marred by his tearing his ulnar collateral ligament in his throwing arm. He bounced back and led the Red Raiders in batting average and stolen bases in the “Big 12” Conference his Junior year. He earned “All Big 12” honors his Freshman, Junior and Senior years. The number 9 is one of 5 “controlled” Bandit numbers (4, 7, 9, 10, 24) and are earned not asked for. Willie Rueda was the second Bandit to earn the right to wear the number 9 after the “Original 9’er” Aaron Forrister. Willie led the Bandits to the 1998 and 2000 National Championship Games. He pitched and played both middle infield positions for his Bandit teams. He started playing for the Bandits from age 9 to age 14. He went on to earn All District and All City Honors at Bel Air High School. He claims to be the “Real Niner”. Forrister was the “Original Niner” and has a college “All American” on his resume and he claims to be both the “Original Niner” and the “Real Niner”. It’s about competition and we are proud of how our Bandits compete. Let the debate continue, they both wore their number proudly. Their actions on and off the field make the numbers honored and distinguished. Happy Birthday Willie, today you are the “Birthday Big 12 Niner”.
October 3: C J Avalos turned 35 and served our Country with the military. His reasoning “he wants to do something physically challenging.” In high school, he was a member of the Honor Society at Americas High School where he was admitted with a 96 GPA. In football he played offense, defense and special teams. He was our “Renaissance Man”. He gained awards for his band and jazz band endeavors and also won Science Fair competitions. C J scored his first varsity touchdown against Coronado in October 2008. Avalos is the hardest working athlete and student in every setting. Avalos played second base, pitched and played in the outfield for our Bandit championship teams. C J wore # 9 which is one of our Bandit “held” and “honored” numbers. He upheld the tradition of the “Niners” before him and continued to bring pride to the number 9. He makes his Parents, his sister, his Grandparents, his Aunts and Uncles and the entire Bandit Family Proud. Happy Birthday CJ, today you are the “Birthday Niner”.
October 4: Brian Hebblethwaite turned 35. He always competes to the highest level and has a tremendous work ethic. Brian was a varsity starter as a Freshman and Sophomore at El Dorado High School. Coach John Beard (who played for Coach Larry Hernandez as a 13 and 14 year old) called Brian the best prepared and focused Freshman he has ever coached. He commended “the Freshman” (Coach Beard doesn’t call players by their name until they are Seniors) as a player with a lot of baseball savvy and great work ethic. Hebblethwaite later joined a number of Bandits and played for Americas High School as a Senior where he was part of the schools first baseball District Championship squad. Brian was a Bandit team leader who led by example and made his teammates comfortable in dealing with championship expectations and a championship atmosphere. His fun loving and outgoing personality bring Pop Brian Sr. (Mr. National Championship Home Run Derby Pitcher), Mom Pat and Sister Brittany joy and happiness. He makes all of us proud to know him. Happy Birthday Brian!
Coach Charlie Bombach turned 55 on October 7. He has been coaching and involved with youth baseball since his oldest Son Josh turned 7. His first year coaching the Bandits was with our 13U Championship Bandit edition and he is credited with improving the strength, conditioning and agility of our Bandits. His Bandit coaching career continued as he formed and led our first “Lil” Bandit team. Our “Lil” Bandits grew into a Championship team under his direction and guidance. “Happy Birthday” Coach Charlie!
October 7: Chris Rubio turned 35. Rubio earned All District honors his junior year and senior years as an outfielder. Chris was named District 1-5A Defensive Player of the Year. He played on the Americas Trailblazer varsity squad all four years. Rubio continued his baseball journey playing at Sul Ross State University. Chris was his Bandit team’s “Mr. Versatile”. Rubio played 7 positions with the only two he didn’t play being catcher and first base. He also helped his team seeing action as a situational pinch hitter and situational pinch runner. Chris was an outstanding performer in the classroom as well as at the “yard”. Rubio has a tremendous work ethic and a solid commitment to making his team the best. He is a special player who helped make us a special team. Chris has a outgoing manner and was well liked and respected by his teammates and opponents. Often times Chris served as another coach on the field helping his teammates learn and most times remember their defensive assignments. He has a solid understanding of the game and plays the game the “right way”. His Grandparents, Mom, Dad, Sister and the rest of his Family share with us the Blessing of his company. Happy Birthday Chris!
October 8 Julio Velez turned 36. Julio earned a scholarship from the El Paso Community College Tejanos squad following his high school honors. Velez started for the Riverside High School Rangers varsity baseball team in his freshman year. Julio was named All District all four years and in his Sophomore, Junior and Senior years he gained All City honors as well. Velez was a pitcher and first baseman on our 2002 National Finalist squad. He was at the top of the Bandit rotation on the bump and hit in the first part of the order. Happy Birthday Julio!
October 10: Marc Vargas turned 35. Marc’s time with the Bandits was marked by Championships. He played on our undefeated 2005 Fall and 2006 Spring Championship teams. Marc enhanced our squad with his versatility as a Pitcher, Infielder and Outfielder and his athleticism. He also served as a situational pinch hitter and situational pinch runner. Marc was an outstanding teammate who earned the respect of his fellow Bandits by playing with a high level of energy. He had an outstanding work ethic and strong sense of commitment to our efforts on and off the field. Happy Birthday Marc!
October 15: R J Franco would have turned 32. R J played with the Bandits beginning at age 9. He is a member of our 9 and under State Championship squad. R J caught, pitched, played first base, short stop, third base and all three outfield positions. R J is a quality “young man” and a strong team leader. R J was the quarterback on his Ensor Middle School seventh and eighth grade football teams and led them to a District and Conference titles. He was called up to the Montwood Ram varsity baseball team his freshman year for the playoffs. He played football as a starting cornerback for the Rams varsity and played for the Montwood baseball team as well. Following his high school years, he played college football. Unfortunately RJ now celebrates on a baseball diamond in our Lord’s Heavenly Kingdom. Happy Birthday R J!
Catalina “Grandma Bandit” Hernandez celebrated her 17th Heavenly birthday on October 19. On November 23, 2009 she joined her life partner “Grandpa Bandit” after 55 years of marriage nearly seven months to the day after he passed to our Lord’s Heavenly Kingdom on April 25, 2009. She also joins her baby daughter Corina who has been circling with the Angels for 17 years. Like a few of our greatest fans, she supports the Bandits from her SKY BOX Suite with “Grandpa Bandit” and Bandit Aunt Corina in HEAVEN. Happy Birthday MOM!
Bandits Flashback: 2000 National Regional Championship
Bandits Flashback – – March 10, 2000
The Bandits opened the 2000 season with their third consecutive trip to Tucson Arizona for the Triple Crown National Regional Tournament.
The first game saw the Bandits defeat Snoqualmie (suburb of Seattle) Washington 20-3. Jessie Bustamante tossed two innings and Jared Schrom tossed 2. Anthony Martinez went 3-3 with a home run and 4 runs scored; Dillon Smith was 2-2 with 2 runs and 2RBI’s; and Tommy Heck was also perfect at the plate going 1-1 with 2 RBI’s and 2 runs scored. Robert Gallegos who also contributed a home run and Bustamante each went 3-4. Bustamante had 5 RBI’s. Willie Rueda was 2-4 and John Norris was 1-2.
Game 2 saw the Bandits defeat the Arizona Storm from Chandler 13-3. Dillon Smith tossed 6 innings as the Bandits overcame a early deficit and finished strong with a 8 run 6th inning. Heck was 1-1; Gallegos went 3-4; Martinez and Bustamante each went 2-4; and Norris and Jason Luna each were 1-2 at the dish.
In the final game of pool play the Bandits defeated Team Bike from Salt Lake City Utah 12-2. Rueda was 3-3, Bustamante 1-1, Martinez 3-4, and Gallegos was 2-4 to lead the offense. Rueda tossed the first 4 innings and Adam Lopez completed the game with one inning of work on the mound.
The Bandits met the El Paso Seminoles in the semi-finals and won 11-1. Gallegos was 2-2; Bustamante was 2-3; Smith,Luna and Rueda and Schrom each went 1-2. Bustamante worked 5 innings in the win.
The Bandits met the Utah Stars for the third consecutive year in the finals. In 1998 they won 21-1; in 1999 they lost 1-0 and in 2000 they triumphed again winning 17-0. Gallegos tossed 5 innings in the win. Gallegos was 3-3 and Jason Luna was 2-2 to lead the Bandits offensively. Norris, Schrom, Rueda and Martinez each went 2-3. Gallegos was named the tournament’s top defensive player and Rueda was named the tournament’s top offensive player.
September Bandit Birthdays
September 1: Kyle Bumpas turned 35. He is one of the Bandits most decorated and honored players offensively and defensively in our history and earned the honor to wear the Held # 10. Kyle pitched, played first base and in the outfield for our 2002 Bandit National Finalist. Bumpas was named the Most Valuable Player for District 1-5A in 2010 as a high school senior. He is also one of 16 Bandits to be named to the Texas High School Baseball All State Team. Kyle earned his fourth 1-5A All District selection and All City Selection in 2010. He was selected to the 1-5A All City and All District team as “Newcomer of the Year” in 2007. He is the first Bandit and only freshman to ever gain this honor in District 1-5A. Bumpas was selected to EPCC All Star team in the Spring of 2007. Kyle played with the Bandits from age 10 through age 15. He was our “ace” on the mound and led his team in batting average, stolen bases and runs scored every year he played on our squads. “Tex” got the call on the bump every championship game and never lost a championship outing for his Bandit teams. Kyle was an honor student in the classroom and a class act off the field. His character as a young man has earned him universal respect from his Coaches, his teammates and his fellow competitors. Bumpas helped lead his Americas Trailblazer high school baseball squad to their first District championship in school history in 2010. Kyle attended St. Mary’s University playing baseball and made the All Conference team as a freshman pitcher. His sophomore year saw him pitch 6 innings of relief in St. Mary’s NCAA Division II World Series finale striking out 8, walking only 1 and allowing only 1 run. He was awarded the Presidential Academic Scholarship in addition to his baseball scholarship. Happy Birthday “Tex”!
September 5: Derek Ramos turned 31. Derek played two complete Fall and Spring seasons with the Bandits. Derek pitched, played SS, 2B, 3B and all three outfield positions for his teams. Derek is very athletic and gifted. He was an honor roll student in the classroom and continued his baseball journey playing at the collegiate level. He shares birthdays in September with his Dad Coach Sammy and brother Sammy. Happy Birthday Derek!
September 7: Luke Lujan turned 34. Luke played for the Bandits as a 12 year old on our 13 and under Bandit championship squad. Luke played catcher and both corner infield positions. Luke was an honor student and played football, basketball and baseball at Coronado High School. Happy Birthday Luke!
September 7: Michael Steele turned 35. Michael played for the Bandits as a 15 year old. He played catcher and first base. Steele was an honor student in the classroom at Franklin High School. Steele earned two varsity letters playing in the Cougars baseball program. Happy Birthday Michael!
September 7: Billy Best turned 26. Billy was part of the 2013 edition of our Bandits. Billy played all 3 outfield positions and first base. “Happy Birthday” Billy!
Mark Gandara turned 35 on September 10. Gandara was a hard working catcher and outfielder for his Bandit championship teams. Mark made the most of his abilities. He would run to practice on days he didn’t have a ride making sure he was never late. Mark was reliable and dependable and unselfish always placing the needs of the team above his personal ones. His attitude helped fuel our championship turnaround during his 13 year old season. Gandara played 3 years for the Bandits and was most often donning the gear and working the dish for his teammates. Happy Birthday Mark!
Happy Birthday to College Player and Bandit Casey “Case” Dillon who turns 45 on September 12. Casey and his Dad Coach Mark Dillon opened the doors to the Westside or as we call it Treasure Island to the Bandits. They opened the pathway for other players who made their positive baseball journeys a part of the Bandit legacy. Coach Mark and Casey and their Bandit teams were Tournament and League Champions and traveled Texas, Arizona and Colorado showcasing the skill set of our Players to help them gain attention and college baseball scholarships. Casey played high school baseball in one of the strongest programs in the Scottsdale Arizona area and his college baseball in California and Ohio. Casey is now coaching his Son Jack and teaching fundamentals to other children in Arizona. Casey also is the Proud Dad to his daughter Charlotte Leigh and makes Coach Mark an ecstatic Grandpa. Happy Birthday Casey.
September 13: Coach Sammy Ramos continues to age gracefully another year. Coach Sammy helped coach the Bandits for 4 seasons covering two full years. His youngest Son Derek who played for the Bandits and his oldest Son Sammy all share September birthdays. Happy Birthday Coach Sammy!
September 18: Coach Javier Sandoval turned 75. Coach Jarv is one of the co-founders of Bandit Baseball and has been a part of Championship Baseball since 1977. In 1979, he joined Coach Larry and coached the newly formed Hirby Pest Control 13U baseball team. He coached with the Bandits since their inception in 1989. He coached the first Bandit State Championship team in 1994. Happy Birthday Coach Javier!
September 18: Robert Gallegos turned 40. Robert played on the first two Bandit National Championship finalist squads in 1998 and 2000. Robert was the team’s ace pitcher, shortstop and lead off batter. Robert went on to All District and All City honors in both baseball and football at Riverside High School where he played quarterback and captured Player of the Year accolades. Robert played junior college baseball as a shortstop, second baseman and third baseman for Navarro Junior college where his squad briefly held the number 1 national ranking. Robert earned his college degree while playing at Northwestern Louisiana as an infielder in Natchitoches Parish, Louisiana. He coached in Dallas Texas with the D-Bats organization and was an Associate Scout for the Baltimore Orioles. In 2014, Robert coached the D-Bats to the Connie Mack National Championship. Robert was an Assistant Coach for Navarro Junior College, Big 12 Conference Member University of Oklahoma and University of Texas Arlington. He currently is the Head Baseball Coach at John Paul II High School in the Dallas metroplex and helps raise his Son Cruz and daughters Mila and Emma with wife Mandy. “Happy Birthday” Coach Robert!
September 19: Hector Carbajal turned 26. Hector was a member of our 2013 Bandits. Carbajal plays multiple sports including balancing wrestling, football and baseball. His role on the Bandits team saw him become a proven “clutch” hitter and dependable outfielder who improved his reading of “ball off bat” abilities.
Alex Abeyta turned 31 on September 30. Alex played two years with the Bandits. He played third base and a all three outfield positions. He sometimes batted lead off and eventually settled into a spot in the heart of the batting order. Abeyta played football and baseball and was a part of the first graduating class at Eastlake High School. Happy Birthday Alex!
August Birthdays
August 2: Bandit Danny Ramirez turned 33. Danny played for two years on the Bandits as an 11 and 12 year old. Danny played pitcher, catcher and both corner infield spots. He usually batted either 3, 4, or 5 in the batting order. Danny earned 4 varsity letters playing for the Del Valle High School baseball squad.
Happy Birthday to “Lil” Bandits Co-Founders Marcella & Coach Charlie Bombach’s Youngest Son Joaquin “Bam Bam” Bombach who turned 13 on August 4.
Bandit Coach Hector Rubio celebrates his seventh birthday in our Lord’s Heavenly Kingdom on August 5. He coached the Bandits starting our first Fall Season in 1989 and coached until 1998. He and his late wife Fabie provided 3 Bandit players which is the most of any single Family in our history. Hector was generous to a fault and a loving Father and Grandfather to his boys: Christopher, Robert and Michael and his grandchildren. Happy Birthday Coach Hector!
Bandit Jessirey Navarrette turned 37 on August 8. Known as “Scooter” in his Bandit days and later known as “Dirtbag” he has always been the center of attention and his character had a prominent role in the movie 21 Outs. Navarrette was part of history helping to lead his Socorro Bulldogs to the first El Paso High School State baseball championship in 60 years. He caught, played both middle infield positions and third base for his Bandit teams. Jessirey was the starting catcher for the 2009 Class 5A State Champion Socorro Bulldogs. Navarrette led his team with a .509 batting average, knocked in 49 RBIs and was second on the team behind Bandit and Socorro teammate Cory Falvey in home runs (12) and third in doubles (13). He was named to the Texas High School All State team. Happy Birthday Jessirey!
Bandit Louie Saenz turned 37 on August 9. Louie finished his college baseball career playing for New Mexico Highlands earning All Conference honors hitting .349 with 3 home runs and 52 RBI and leading the team in runs scored and doubles. He was a three year letterman at Socorro High School where he was a member of 3 District Championship teams, 3 Bi-District Championship teams and three Regional Finalist teams. Louie was named to the 2008 Texas High School All State First Team. He is a member of our Bandit 2003 Texas State Championship squad. He is one of our Bandits to be named to the Texas High School All State squad. In 2012, Louie was named “Collegiate Player of the Year” by the El Paso Baseball Hall of Fame following a stellar All Conference senior season at New Mexico Highlands. Happy Birthday Louie!
Bandit Dillon Smith turned 40 on August 24. Dillon was an All City and All District player at Eastwood High School where he pitched and played both corner infield spots. Smith was a middle reliever and mid-week starter for the New Mexico State Aggies. Dillon was named to the All WAC Academic team in 2007. We are Proud of Dillon not only as a baseball player but also for the young man he has become. He played with the Bandits as a 13 and 14 year old. He is a member of our 2000 National Finalist. He was coached by Larry Hernandez as a 13 year old and his dad Danny Smith as a 14 year old. He life journey included a commitment to the Peace Corps in Gambia, Africa. Happy Birthday Dillon!
Bandit Oscar Gonzalez turned 32 on August 26. Oscar played two Fall and Spring seasons with the Bandits. He played second base, third base, pitched and all three outifield positions. Oscar was a member of the 2012 Montwood High School Rams’ District Championship and “Sweet 16” playoff team. Happy Birthday Oscar!
August 26: Bandits Jason and Justin Luna turned 40. The Luna twins are both members of our 1998 and 2000 National Finalists. Both were All-City and All District players in both football and baseball at Riverside High School. Both played college baseball; Jason at Navarro Junior College and Justin at El Paso Community College and Sul Ross University. Justin is now a member of El Paso’s finest serving with the Police Department. Jason is a Sergeant in the Texas Department of Public Safety serving as a State Trooper. Both of our Luna’s are proud Dads now. Happy Birthday Justin and Jason!
August 27: “Lil” Bandit Nicholas Capps turned 17 on August 27. Nicholas played Spring T-Ball and Fall Coach Pitch with the “Lil” Bandits starting in 2015. He played three years with the “Lil” Bandits. “Happy Birthday” Nicholas.
August 28: Bandit Josh Avalos turned 35. In 2010, Josh played a major role for the Americas High School Trailblazers who captured the first baseball district championship in school history. Selected to the EPCC Summer League All Star team in 2007 as a Bandit. Josh played as a 12, 13, 14 and 15 year old with the Bandits. His Bandit teams won Playoff and League championships. Josh pitched, played shortstop, third base and the outfield for his Bandit teams. He was a top offensive force in the line-up and top of the rotation starting pitcher. Happy Birthday Josh!
August 28: Bandit Brandon “10’er” “Pops” Lucero turned 26. Brandon filled the clean-up batting spot for our Southwest Baseball League undefeated champions. Lucero had a tenacious, “bull dog” approach on the mound always pitching to his last ounce of energy with a top effort. Lucero was a dependable “plus” bat and a run producing machine for the offense. He played both corner infield spots as well as catcher and pitcher. “Happy Birthday” Brandon.
