Ensenada All-Stars Take 3rd Place at International Friendship Games Tournament in Chula Vista California

Ensenada’s Win over Brawley Wildcats of USA Makes Softball History

Mexicali Chicas meltdown in the Hot Sun

The 12u Ensenada All-Stars traveled to the California city of Chula Vista on Saturday May 9th to play in the International Friendship Games hosted by Councilman Rudy Ramirez of the City of Chula Vista.

In their first game they faced the very strong San Diego Elite and lost 13-4. Coach Mario Edgardo Nuñez Castro said “The San Diego Elite team was physically big. We’ve never faced such a big team and our players were intimidated at first. But we soon realized that we could stay on the field with them. The ASA rules were a bit confusing but we adjusted and played on and found a way to give our best effort. It was an excellent first game for us and we learned that we belong and could compete in the USA.”

In their 2nd game, the Ensenada All-Stars made softball history beating the Brawley Wildcats 4-3.

Brawley is located in the Imperial Valley of Southern California just north of Calexico. It was the first time in Ensenada youth softball history that they beat a team from the USA. Director of the Baja Girls Youth Softball League Charles Tawil said “we are proud of our players, coaches, and parents. They worked super hard for this event and to have such a great win over a travel team from the USA showed that we belong and can play with the best”.

In the 3rd game, they took it the Mexicali Chicas wining 10-8. Coach Mario Edgardo Nuñez Castro said “Mexicali had been beating us in the recent past. Today, we finally showed them that this is a new day and the Ensenada All-Stars are competitive and ready to meet the challenges of the future. With our new All-Star system of sending the very best players from our local Baja Girls Softball League, we will now always be able to put our very best players on the field against the outside competition and that is giving us a winning formula.”

In the last game fo the day, the rematch, they lost to the Brawley Wildcats 10-3 to secure the 3rd place trophy. Coach Mario Edgardo Nuñez Castro said “Everything was great. The girls played hard. They all played and fun. The kids were super happy to be part of such a great event and share the cultural exchange with the City of Chula Vista and the players from the USA.”

RESULTS FOR 12U

Sal Silva, Director of the San Diego Elite and a tournament organizers said that there was a very sad disappointment. It came when the Mexicali Chicas 12u team were rude and insulting to the Brawley Wildcats and their coaches during their game. “It was a sad display of poor sportsmanship” said a very disappointed Silva. “Some of their parents and coaches cursed at some of the moms from the Brawley.

In addition, the Mexicali Chica’s 16u team quit and walked off the field when they were playing our San Diego Elite 14u team showing very poor sportsmanship.” In addition he added that “the Mexicali coaches accused our Elite team of cheating. Sad! I think their coach wanted out because the game looked to be getting out of hand. It was only a 3 – 1 game but their were no outs with runners on 2nd and 3rd. Watching them quit was extremely disappointing.”

Overall, the tournament was a success. Tournament Officials say they will host it again next year. Unfortunately, they doubt Mexicali will be invited next year.