The journey of the San Jose Sox to the World Series tournament in Arizona is not just a story of one team, but a representation of the rich and diverse talent pool of San Jose NABA. Each player donning the San Jose Sox jersey brought with them a unique slice of the SJ NABA's spirit and skill.

 

The ambition to create a team that could compete at the highest level was born from a collective passion for baseball shared across the SJ NABA community. The goal was to bring together the best of SJ NABA, showcasing the combined talents on the grand stage of the most prestigious tournament in the country, the Arizona NABA World Series.

 

 

A Meticulous Selection

 

Led by Jose Medina, GM of the San Jose Reds, and Andrew Kutsenda, Vice President of SJNABA, selecting players for the San Jose Sox was a journey through the diversity of the league.

 

“Player selection was a combination of seeking out both high-quality players who could best represent us talent-wise, but also high character guys we could trust to grind through a long tournament while still representing the ideals we have come to expect in our league,” said Andrew Kutsenda, SJ NABA President.

 

 

 

The result - the Sox stood as a microcosm of SJ NABA's vibrant community. The team was a melting pot of different cultures, ages, and experiences, each player contributing their distinct style and background. This diversity was their strength, fostering a rich environment of learning and mutual respect.

 

The bond within the San Jose Sox was unique, transcending the usual team dynamics. Players, often rivals in the SJ NABA league, transformed their competitive spirit into a powerful synergy. This unity, born from a shared history in the league, turned the San Jose Sox into a family, united in our quest for glory.

 

 

The Road to the World Series

 

Before the World Series began in September, General Manager Jose Medina and Manager Bryan Morrissey brought the players together early and often for workouts, drills, and scrimmages. Playing in tournaments is different than a 1-game per week regular season.

 

In a tournament, all 25 players need to contribute because of how many games are played within a short period. Playing out of position is normal because of fatigue, bumps, and bruises.

 

“Jose and Brian Morrissey, the team’s manager, did an incredible job stressing the importance of camaraderie early in our practices,” says Andrew. “To me that was the separating factor for the team in Arizona.”

 

The diverse expertise of the coaching staff, sourced from various teams within SJ NABA, played a crucial role in preparation. Their collective knowledge and strategic insights from different perspectives were invaluable, shaping our approach to the tournament's challenges.

 

Players also took charge of various aspects of the trip, reflecting the unity and commitment that defined the team.

 

 

 

 

The World Series Tournament

 

On September 27, the NABA World Series tournament officially began with the Sox entering the 25+ rookie division consisting of 14 teams from San Diego, Las Vegas, Santa Barbara, Denver, Washington DC, Los Angeles, San Jose, and Mexico.

 

The Sox got off to a hot start to pool play going 4-1 and scoring 66 runs while only giving up 24. Austin Keys pitched a shutout in the first pool play game against the San Diego Lugnuts.

 

The 1-2 punch of Ryan Reese and Shohei Kimura was dominant in the Sox’s second pool play game against the San Diego Outsiders.

 

 

 

Ray Fuentes pitched a complete game and got the win in the third pool play game.

 

Michael Lemus faced a tough Obregon team in the Sox's fourth pool play game. 

 

Adrian Nuno took the mound and helped secure a 17-7 win for their fifth and final pool play game.

 

The Sox’s pool play performance earned them the 4th seed for the playoffs.

 

 

 

 

In their first-round playoff matchup against the Las Vegas Bulldogs, the Sox ran away in convincing fashion winning 8-0. Carlos Jimenez could not be touched on the hill earning the win while pitching a shutout.

 

The semifinal game against the San Diego Aztecs was a nail-biter. Ryan Reese took the rubber once again and fought 10-innings to keep the Aztecs at bay. In the top of the 10th with two outs and runners on first and second, Ray Montez made a phenomenal full-extension, diving catch in right field that saved a run and kept the game tied. In the bottom of the 10th, Matt Melott was the runner automatically on 2B to start the inning and scored on a Chris Cordoni hit to take the Sox to the Championship game.

 

The second game of the day was the holy grail, the Championship game, that pitted the Sox against Obregon from Sonora, Mexico, the only team the Sox lost to in pool play. Shohei Kimura took the hill for the third time in the tournament and had the Obregon hitters off-balance the whole game, leading the Sox to a 9-0 victory and securing the NABA World Series title.

 

Triumph as a Testament to SJ NABA's Excellence & The Legacy of the San Jose Sox

 

The San Jose Sox's championship victory is a lasting testament to the collective power and unity of SJ NABA. They emerged not just as winners of a tournament but as ambassadors of our league's rich and diverse talent.

 

A huge shoutout to Bryan Morrissey, Head Coach, Ray Montez, and Rob Foster assisting coaches, for managing an amazing World Series tournament.

 

And to the players who contributed to the team’s run to the championship:

 

Sergio Herrera	Santa Clara Twins
Richard Mcdowell	Santa Clara Twins
Ray Montez	Santa Clara Twins
Gilbert Guerra	San Jose Reds
Ray Fuentes	San Jose Reds
Victor Barron	San Jose Reds
Sean Allen	San Jose Reds
Chris Cordoni	San Jose Reds
Carlos Jimenez	San Jose Reds
Django Whittington	San Jose Reds
Matt Melott	San Jose Reds
Carl Bolster	Left Coast Lumber Jaxx
Rob Foster	Left Coast Lumber Jaxx
Kendrick Trotter	South Bay Phillies
Joe Navarro	San Jose A’s
Vincent Hanley	San Jose A’s
Adrian Nuno	San Jose Cubs
Josh Ramirez	San Jose Cubs
Ryan Reese	San Jose Cubs
Austin Keys	Campbell Royals
Shohei Kimura	Campbell Royals

 

 

And a huge congratulations to Shoehei Kimura on earning Tournament MVP!

 

 

 

The San Jose Sox's journey and triumph in the World Series will be remembered as a shining example of what can be achieved when the best of SJ NABA come together with a shared dream and an unwavering passion for baseball.

 

Be a part of San Jose NABA’s Legacy - Tryouts Feb. 25

 

Sign-ups for the 2024 Summer season are now open! Tryouts are FREE and it’s your opportunity to showcase your skills in front of over 30 teams looking for the next best talent to add to their championship rosters. Reignite your love for the game, lace up those cleats, and let’s play ball!