June Birthdays

Hampton and Heaton Hughes celebrated their 16th 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. “Happy Birthday” to the Hughes twins Heaton and Hampton!

Jonathan Bustamante turned 34 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 15 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 30 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 24 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 25 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.

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.