BANDITS FLASHBACK 2002 World Series National Championship (96 Teams 11U Compete)
2002 National Final. . . Chez Sidney Bandits 3 Bandits 2 (11 innings) in Little Rock Arkansas
It took just over 4 hours to decide the National Championship but the Louisiana team scored a run in the bottom of the 11th to claim the crown 3-2. The Chez Sidney Bandits faced our Bandits twice and handed them two 1-run losses with the title clincher taking 11 innings to decide in 105 degree weather. The Bandits trailed 1-0 before tying the game in the top of the 4th. They took a 2-1 lead into the bottom of the ninth but the Louisiana team took advantage of a defensive mental lapse to tie the game. Offensive Leaders: Matthew Ortega 1-1; Bobby Mares 1-2; Steve Vizcaino 2-4 and George Stoltz 2-5. The Bandits finished the year with a 66-17 record and a 7-2 record in the World Series and the third National Finalist designation in their his…
October Bandit Birthdays: “On Deck” “Lil” Bandit Aiden J...
Aiden Janczak turns 12 on October 27. Aiden played with the “Lil” Bandits in their 2015 Spring T-Ball and Fall Coach Pitch seasons. “Happy Birthday” Aiden!
Willie “Niner” Rueda turns 35 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. Wi…
