(60 Teams Qualify for World Hispanic)

Sixty teams from the Four Corners of Arizona converged on July 30 to play in the Hispanic State Tournament at Victory Lane Sports Complex. The Hispanic State Tournament was the first in a three-part Tournament Series sponsored by Coors Light. Thanks to Coors Light every team received a free Coors Light Cooler and a pitcher of Coors Light.

All teams also qualified for the WHOLE RELLENO WORLD HISPANIC CHAMPIONSHIPS at Tucson Sportspark on October 21-23. All WORLD CHAMPIONS will receive custom designed Rings as a first place award.

In the C Division, Franks Hydraulics was victorious over Dan Galvez's tough Hit N Run team. Perennial favorites Red Dawgz coached by Ernie Gonzales and JJ's G-Squad finished in third and fourth place. All tourney selections included Matt Austin and Ish Correa.

Mike's 12 Pack won the D Division defeating Ramon Del Sol's Los Bad Boyz for the Championship. Storm from Bisbee, coached by Tony Pizano finished third with Rudy Molina's Crush team from Yuma finishing in fourth place. David Dewitt and Joe Trevino won MVP awards. Gilbert Montano, John Moreno, Nick Barreras, Angelo Almendarez, Wil Hernandez, Gilbert Gejuaso, Ruben Rubio, Sac Renen, Joe Zambrano, Rocky Wright, Pablo Aguirre, Loren Callhoun, Gary Hardy, Oscar Duarte, Manny Ahles and Shawn McSweeney were named to the All Tourney Team.

On Saturday afternoon, thirty hitters faced off in the Coor's Light Homerun Challenge. AJ from Frank's Hydraulics took top prize honors with Ralph from Chandler Boyz taking second place.

Just Us coached by Frank Vargas won first place in the 24 team E Division over Art Gaspar's AZ Premier team. One Time from Somerton and StickTime, coached by Frank Howard from Tucson finished in third and fourth place. MVP's were awarded to Paul Perez from Just Us and Hector Cruz from AZ Premier. All Tournament selections included Josh Snyder, Joe Balboa, Jason Brenner, Gabe Valencia, Jim Hill, Bobby Cruz, Anthony Ruiz, Manuel Pina, Frankie Arreola, Jimmy Sanchez, Mo Porchas, Chad Henson, Jason Knight and David Montano.

Winners of the Women's Division included Lady Legion in Division I, Thrown Together in Division II and newcomer Travesia's in Division III. Women's teams do not have to qualify to participate in the World Hispanic.

"Once again the State Hispanic was a great tournament leading up to the Worlds," said David Duran, State Hispanic Director. "The World Hispanic Tournament in Tucson has become such a premier event with the Live Band, Manager's Dinner, DJ, and Home Run Challenge, that in 2005 we have expanded it to more teams by allowing 4 "nons" in the lineup. We have already have received entries from California, Oregon, Texas and New Mexico and expect more than the 88 teams we had in 2004. This year the World Tournament will start on Friday night with the Fiesta, Live Band and Home Run Challenge open to all teams and their fans. "

Tournament Sports would like to thank Misty Lee Chappell and Mark Harmon from Coors Light for their generous sponsorship of the Coors Light HISPANIC STATE and the outstanding award package. The next Coors Light Tournament is the Coors Light Coed State Championships on September 10 & 11 at Victory Lane and Papago Parks. There will also be a LAST CHANCE to qualify for the World Hispanic presented by Coors Light on October 15 & 16 in the Coors Light Invitational also at Victory Lane.

Thank you to the outstanding field of teams that played in the Hispanic State and to all their families, fans and spectators. We hope to see all of you in Tucson on October 21-23, 2005.