GRANTS, N.M. - The 250th 4th of July went off with a sky full of fireworks, and for one local resident a dream came true with a bat full of hits and a glove full of catches.
Estevan Barela, a recent graduate of Grants High School and standout baseball player for the Pirates, is headed to the Connie Mack World Series tournament later this summer after he and his team, ABA, went 51 at a qualifying tournament in Farmington over the weekend.
The Connie Mack World Series is a prestigious 18 and under baseball tournament held annually in Farmington, New Mexico. The tournament consists of 12 elite teams from across the US and Barela’s team is one of the prestigious 12 teams invited to play.
“They were very competitive teams—really good pitching, many pitched in the upper 80s and some 90s,” said Barela.
“It was a great experience to make it to Connie Mack–it’s my first time making it,” said Barela. “ I did very well, I went 2-for-6 batting and had four walks.”
Barela, who has been with ABA for four years, plays with them in summer tournaments.
Barela practices every day, focusing on gaining strength, refining his batting stance, and sharpening his eye-hand coordination.
The qualifying tournament they played last week featured many strong teams mostly from Albuquerque according to Barela.
Barela played shortstop and 2nd base this past weekend, though while with the Pirates he also pitched.
Barela is most comfortable at the shortstop position, “I grew up playing shortstop and played it through high school,” said Barela. “I like to be a vocal leader on the team at that position and also I have range on the field.”
Barela said of playing 2nd base, “It’s a crucial position but not such a vocal spot or as much action as shortstop.”
Barela is also headed to play baseball in college in August at New Mexico Highlands University–the Cowboys.
“I chose NM Highlands because they have a really good coaching staff and the head coach, Steve Jones, is really good—also I have a friend (Dominick Gonzales) from Grants who I played baseball with that plays there.”
Barela also likes the fact that the NM Highlands baseball program is constantly “pushing to get their name out there — for better scholarships.”
GHS head baseball coach Mike Furbee said of Barela heading out to NM Highlands to play baseball, “He definitely has the skill set to play at the next level and I believe he’s going in with the right mindset—he’s very coachable and will do whatever coach Jones asks of him.”
Before Barela gets “out there” he will play in the Connie Mack World Series to wrap up his 18 and under baseball career.
The Connie Mac World Series starts on July 23 and lasts through August 1st in