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 Peace Corps Volunteer, College All Conference Honoree, High School multiple All City and All District Selection and Bandit 2000 National Finalist Dillon Smith who turns 40 on Monday August 24 . . . 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 Bandits 2000 National Finalist after winning the National Regional Tournament in Tucson Arizona and includes Dillon Smith center back row wearing glasses . . . “Prepare, Anticipate, Adapt, Care and Compete Relentlessly” . . . IRON SHARPENS IRON: “Pray that our Lord and Savior continues to provide us the Faith to Stay Safe and True to a Noble Purpose” – – Our Site now Offers Music, Click the tab to listen
Bandit Dillon Smith turns 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 turns 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 turn 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 turns 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 turns 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 turns 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.
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!
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.
July Birthdays
July 7: Bandit George Stoltz turned 35. On June 13, 2009, he was part of history as he helped lead his Socorro Bulldogs to the first El Paso High School State Championship in 60 years. In 2009, Stoltz suffered a torn ulnar collateral ligament in a tournament in Houston while pitching. That did not stop George as he earned First Team Honors in 1-5A as a designated hitter while having to wear a brace on his injured wing. In June 2008, George was named “Defensive Player of the Year” for District 1-5A. Stoltz was also a starter on Socorro’s football team playing in the secondary for the Bulldogs. Coach George returned from Iraq in time to share in his Son’s extremely memorable senior season which saw him earn All District honors in two varsity sports. George played three seasons with the Bandits and is a member of our 2002 National Finalist. George batted lead off for his Bandit teams as he did for his high school team. He also played primarily at third base and saw time as a second base, shortstop and pitcher. A documentary was made of the 2009 Socorro Bulldogs’ championship journey. As the lead off hitter for the Texas State Championship squad, George played a prominent role. Stoltz led off the semi-final game against Austin Westlake with a first pitch double to the right center field fence setting the tone for a championship final appearance. Happy Birthday George!
July 9: “Lil” Bandit Miguel Salazar turned 17. Miguel played on our “Lil” Bandit 8U team which competed in the 8U Coach Pitch Sportspark League and was a part of the Regular Season and Post Season Tournament Champions. Miguel’s Dad Tony is an accomplished baseball player who competed against the Bandits from age 9 to age 14 before being a star player in high school and New Mexico State. Miguel’s Grandpa knows as “Big Tony” was active playing baseball into his later years and was a well decorated umpire. “Happy Birthday” Miguel!
July 13: Bandit Vince Centeno turned 34. Vince was named to the All District 1-5A team 3 times as a third baseman for Americas High School. Centeno gained honors in his sophomore, junior and senior seasons for the Trail Blazers. He was an integral part of helping Americas High School to their first baseball district championship in school history. “Vinnie” was a 4 year varsity starter and signed a college agreement to continue his baseball journey after high school. Vince was a pitcher, shortstop, catcher and third baseman for his Bandit Championship squads. Happy Birthday Vince!
July 14: Coach Ruben Rodriguez turned 49. Coach Ruben helped coach Bandit teams for 2 and 1/2 seasons. Tournament championships were won in El Paso and throughout the State of New Mexico. He is responsible for introducing the Omaha Nebraska tournament and having our Bandits witness a College World Series in person. In June of 2019, he was named Head Football Coach for Eastlake High School and earned honors as the 2019 District High School Coach of the Year. At the conclusion of the 2020 season he repeated honors as the 1-6A District High School Football Coach of the Year. Coach Rodriguez has been named District High School Coach of the Year 2 seasons he was in charge. Happy Birthday Coach Ruben!
July 23: “Lil” Bandit Aiden Gutierrez turned 17. Aiden played four years with the “Lil” Bandits. “AG” as he is affectionately called played catcher and outfield and hit in the middle of the order for his “Lil” Bandit championship teams. “Happy Birthday” Aiden!
July 27: Happy Birthday to our Bandit Web Master Josh Rodgers. Josh created our web site in 2010 and continues to do the coding updates, picture uploads, website appearance and updates
Bandit June Birthdays
Hampton and Heaton Hughes celebrate their 17th Birthday on June 8. Both were championship members of our 8U “Lil Bandits” who played in the 8U Sportspark Select Coach Pitch League and started with our inaugural “Lil Bandits” T-Ball team. Heaton will be a graduate of the Class of 2027 from Coronado High School where he will have played varsity baseball for 3 years. “Happy Birthday” to the Hughes twins Heaton and Hampton!
Jonathan Bustamante turned 35 on June 8. Jonathan pitched in college and was a four year varsity baseball player at Montwood High School. Jonathan was the # 1 starter for the Rams for two years. Bustamante earned 5A All-District recognition three years in a row and garnered All City honors his final two seasons. Jonathan is also a member of our 2002 Bandit National Finalist for whom he pitched and played both corner infield positions. His brother Jesse is a member of our 2000 National Finalist. Happy Birthday Jonathan!
Carter Salome turned 16 on June 12. Carter was one of the youngest members of our championship “Lil” Bandits 8U team which played in the 8U Sportspark Select Coach Pitch League. “Happy Birthday” Carter!
Bandit Esteban Martinez turned 31 on June 12. Esteban was a member of our 9 and Under Bandit State Championship squad. Esteban batted lead-off and played center field. In 2014, Esteban earned District 2-4A First Team honors as a pitcher for Del Valle High School. He continued his athletic journey playing football and baseball at Sul Ross State University. “Happy Birthday” Esteban!
Bandit Brycen Horn turned 25 on June 15. Brycen started the year for our 2014 undefeated League Champion Bandits as one of two 12 year olds on our 13U roster. Age was not a factor as Brycen emerged as the team’s top shortstop and a positive contributor for the offense. Brycen celebrated his birthday on the field at the USSSA State Tournament going 2X3, with a double, a run scored, an RBI, 3 defensive assists, 1 defensive put out and turned a double play with a diving stop catch of a line drive and throwing from his knees to double up the runner. Horn was one of the more naturally gifted athletes on the squad and was always a focal point in all the team’s practices and games. Brycen enjoyed a star football career in High School. “Happy Birthday” Brycen.
Matt Guerra turned 26 on June 30. “Matty” who is also known as “Captain” or “Cap” for short was a relentless force on the baseball field. One of the greatest work ethics that any Coach could hope for is what Matt provided. A constant source of positive energy and drive and a “will” to do better and accomplish more were trademarks of his play. Matt pitched, caught, played first base, third base and even helped in the outfield when needed as he did on the team’s tournament trip to Arizona. A power bat, a plus work ethic and a true great teammate. Just a “sheer pleasure” and joy to be around. Matt continued his baseball journey as a Catcher at Coronado High School where he earned All District honors. “Happy Birthday” Matt.
