Leon & David Presenting Trophy to X-Men,
C Men's Champs
more photos

At Tucson Sportspark on October 24, the 2004 NSA World Champions were crowned. X-Men from Tucson won in the C Division; Auto Mission Storm from Bisbee took the D Division; The Outlaws from Oregon won in the E Division and Bad Habits from Phoenix were victorious in the first time ever Women's Division.

The NSA Hispanic World Tournament got started on Friday with a free Manager's Enchilada dinner, the Team Social and the Homerun Contest. The well-known Tucson band, "RIVER'S EDGE" played well into the night as teams stayed to eat, drink and watch the Homerun Contest.

On Saturday and Sunday, the tournament atmosphere was decidedly more competitive with rings on the line for all the World Champions. Local favorite, X-Men came out the winner in the C contest over the familiar Phoenix team, Checkmate/YurMamaRocks, who finished second. The 2004 Hispanic World Champion, Kong from Yuma finished third with Rene Figueroa's Nova's PrimeTime coming in fourth. The C Division MVP was Jesus Felix from X-Men.

Outlaws came all the way from Oregon to double dip Players Klub from Las Vegas in the 32 team E Division. Tucson teams finished in third and fourth place with Israel Borjorquez, Su Casa team placing third and Ruben Huerta's Los Vaqueros coming in fourth. The MVP for Outlaws was Fidel Nanez and the MVP from Players Klub was Modesto De La Cruz. The All Tournament Team included Steve Nanez, George Sandoval and Dave Clark from Outlaws; James Agee, Victor Rosales, and Frank Crespo from Players Klub; Izzy Borjorquez and Freddy Talamante from Su Casa; and Danny Garcia and Robert Stoddard from Los Vaqueros.

Perfect weather and an outstanding venue made the World Hispanic tournament a great event for all the teams and their families. Arizona Hispanic Director, David Duran said, "Overall the World Hispanic was the best tournament in Arizona in 2004. The tournament exceeded expectations in team numbers and spectators. What makes the Hispanic World Tournament so unique is all the local participation and support from the Tucson community. That is the main reason that the NSA World Hispanic is returning to Tucson in 2005."

Tony Pizano's Bisbee team, Auto Mission Storm won the D Division by narrowly defeating ATM from Tucson 16 -12. Famosa Masonry, coached by Ray Diaz came in third with Los Palos from Las Vegas finishing fourth. MVP's were Rocky Wright from Auto Mission Storm and Renee Rossetti from ATM. All Tourneys from Mission Storm - Louie Bernaz, Mario Porras and Mike Miracle; from ATM - Mike Enriques, Derrick Oakley and Charles Cunningham; from Famosa Masonry - Jason Fine and Arnold Mares and from Los Palos - Ben Gonzales and Jason Cox.

The Rings in the Women's Division went to the NSA World Champions; Bad Habits coached by Andrea Flores from Phoenix. Bad Habits beat A.J. Diaz's Las Muchachas team in the Championship game 19 -9. AZ Pros coached by Lorraine Santana from Phoenix finished in third place while Famosa Girls from Tucson finished fourth.

"I would like to thank all of the teams that traveled so far to play in this tournament to compete especially the Indiana Giants Softball team," said Phoenix Hispanic Director, Leon Rodriquez. "They were a great bunch of guys who played with professionalism and spirit."

Arizona NSA extends thanks to the tournament sponsor, WORTH SPORTS and Charlie Lujan and all the employees of Tucson Sportspark. "Charlie Lujan arranged the Manager's Dinner, the Homerun Contest and the DJ on Saturday afternoon. With Tucson Sportspark's help and support the World Hispanic will become the great national softball event it was in days past," stated David Duran.

Also special thanks go out to River's Edge and Ken Moroney for their contribution to the Hispanic World.

Thank you to the outstanding field of teams that played in the Hispanic World and to all their families, fan and spectators. In 2005, the NSA HISPANIC WORLD returns to Tucson Sportspark on October 21-23, 2005. Mark your calendars and we hope to see you there.