ALAMOSA – The Bomb Squad youth baseball team, which is based in Monte Vista, has two teams that are playing across the state of Colorado this season.
There are 12 players on the 14U team which currently has a 19-5 record. A total of 14 players are on the 12U team. The 12U team is a young unit this season with most of the players ages 10 and 11 and it has a 7-12 record.
The teams have players from across the San Luis Valley. Players come from Alamosa, Del Norte, Monte Vista, Sanford, Sangre de Cristo and Sargent, as well as some home school players.
This season, the teams played in several doubleheaders as well as five tournaments. The Bomb Squad has played at the CABA Tournament in Denver, as well as events in Gunnison, Montrose and two at the Runyon Sports Complex in Pueblo.
Wins and losses are not the priority for the Bomb Squad teams. It is, however, is for players to learn the game, improve their skills and have a good time doing it.
The Bomb Squad was created in 2017 by Jake Mellott in an effort to provide young baseball players that have aged out of their local recreation programs with a way to continue playing and improving their skills, according to a press release.
Coaching the 14U team is head coach Michael Ross, and assistant coaches Jacob Jiron and Charlie Sanchez. Its roster consists of Iver Belobaidic, Grayon Hunzeker, Roman Edgar, Parker Mitchell, Michael Hensley, Erik Garcia, Manny Jiron, Rylen Ross, Landon Sanchez, Foster Boyd, Liam Kopetski and Urijah Fielder.
Jacob Jiron is the head coach of the 12U team and Ross is one of his assistants. The rest of the coaching staff includes Horacio Naranjo, Jaime Villagomez, Justin Romero and T.J. Van Bibber.
The 12U player roster includes Landon Romero, Quiyon Naranjo, Zaiden Villagomez, Asher Van Bibber, Liam Martinez, Mason Klecker, Kadyn Gutierrez, Easton Romero, Elijah Jiron, Cruz Jiron, Luke Villagomez, Braydyn Barela, Jaxon Klecker and Nolan Ross.
The Bomb Squad will conclude their seasons at their home Summer Showdown tournament on July 20-21. It is run in collaboration with the Monte Vista recreation director Dervin Taylor. The 12U tournament will be played at the Ski-Hi fields, while the 14U tournament will be at Adrian M. Gutierrez Memorial Field at Monte Vista High School.
