El Rito Media Kayson Gomez, Jed Bilberry, and Elijah Sanchez have something most eightyear-olds would never dream of: a World Series championship.

The three boys helped the Artesia Freedom 8-under baseball team claim the United States Specialty Sports Association (USSSA) 8-and-under AAA World Series title. The tournament was held in Las Cruces July 3rd through July 7th during the Kyle A Falvey World Series.

Falvey, an El Paso native, died in 2019 and was a USSSA tournament director in Arizona, New Mexico, and Texas. He was a baseball player and fan, according to the USSSA website.

Games were played at multiple sites in Las Cruces and head coach Chris Gomez said New Mexico Freedom went 6-1 during the tournament.

He said the team outhit the competition, scoring 64 runs while pitchers only allowed 22 runs during the competition.

Seventeen combined teams from New Mexico and Texas played in the tournament.

Each player on the 13-team squad played various positions during the World Series.

Gomez pitched during the series along with catching and playing infield at first base.

He said his specialty pitches were a changeup, which is a slower pitch and a fast ball.

Gomez said he liked playing in the tournament. “It feels good (to be a champion),” he said.

Bilberry said he played five distinct positions and catching was his favorite.

“I don’t play it very much,” he said.

On the roster, Gomez listed Bilberry as a first baseman and pitcher.

He pitched three innings in one game during the competition and gave up one hit. No one scored and no one walked.

Sanchez played four positions during the contest including pitcher, third base, second base and centerfield.

He said pitcher was his favorite spot during the competition.

“I like striking kids out,” Sanchez said.

On the roster, Gomez listed his primary positions as second base and shortstop.

Chelsea Bilberry, Jed’s mother, said the team played well during the tournament.

“They meshed really well together and give 110 percent on the field,” she said.

What is USSSA? Based in Florida, USSSA is a multi-sport sanctioning body for various recreational and competitive sports programs and other related events, read the organization’s website.

“USSSA believes the overall development of all players can be enhanced by the experience and fun of national tournament play. Until now the majority of players were denied this opportunity because of their skill level,” read the organization’s website.

USSSA Baseball offered programs for four levels of play. Major and AAA programs are national programs that culminate in a World Series. The AA program is a regional program ran by the participating states that culminates with ‘AA’ World Series opportunities. The A level is for recreational teams and now offer ‘A’ level World Series events, per USSSA.

Mike Smith can be reached at 575-3088734 or via email at msmith@currentargus. com. tournament.