Softball tournament honors fallen player
Dino Apodaca see Selena Valencia in just about everything he does.
It’s because Valencia, Apodaca’s niece, was such a big part of his life. So when Valencia died June 22 — the victim of a stabbing — Apodaca was devastated.
“I’ve known Selena since she was a newborn,” Apodaca said. “Her and my daughter were born just weeks apart, so I watched them grow up and play together. Selena always loved camping, and those are memories that I am going to remember Selena by when I’m out there.”
Those memories extend to the softball field, as Valencia and her family were a constant presence at the Municipal Recreation Complex. Apodaca decided a great way to honor Valencia was to hold a memorial softball tournament at the MRC, which is scheduled for July 29-30 to raise money for her family.
The tournament is open for men’s and women’s teams and could have an upper and lower division if it attracts enough interest. Apodaca said he already has nine teams registered since the Santa Fe Softball Association approved the event Monday, and that was just from posting information on Facebook plus a few other softball websites, handing out fliers and telling friends and coworkers. Apodaca said there is a chance some of Valencia’s family members will play in the tournament.
“It’s just kinda crazy how people have come out and helped and how Selena affected their lives,” Apodaca said.” She touched a lot of people, and it’s great that our community is coming together to support her family.”
Paul Rodriguez, league president, said Valencia did
not play this year, but she previously played during the summer. He said the association usually approves memorial tournaments like this a few times every year.
“These types of things hit home, and we do as much as we can,” Rodriguez said.
“When you’re used to seeing a particular player on the field or in a certain position in the batting lineup or at a certain position and then they’re gone, it’s a void. And you try to fill that void.”
Even though Valencia enjoyed softball, her sport of choice while she attended Santa Fe High from 2009-13 was basketball. She played on the varsity squad for four years and was a part of the 2012-13 team that reached the Class 4A semifinals. Still, Valencia, her dad Ramos Valencia and sister Franchesca Valencia were a vital part of the softball community.
Apodaca said all profits raised by the tournament will go to the Valencia/Noriega family, and Rodriguez added that all concession stands’ profits will also go to the family.
He added that donations will also be accepted. While the teams will battle for a $200 firstplace award, Apodaca and Rodriguez hope that the teams show up more to celebrate Valencia’s life.
“The cash prize, to me, is a good way to do it,” Rodriguez said. “Maybe the winning team can donate it back. It would be a a nice show of goodwill because of what of the cause it’s for.”