'Topes to host Pueblos, Navajos

For the fourth straight year, Isotopes Park will be the host for the Native American All-Star Baseball Game on Saturday, July 22 at 7:00 p.m., pitting a team from the combined Northern and Southern Pueblos against the Navajo All-Stars.

The game, which has become an anticipated annual Albuquerque tradition, is to benefit the New Mexico Highlands University Native American Scholar Athlete Program, which provides support and educational opportunities to Native American college athletes.

As usual, the contest will feature some of the finest Native American baseball players from New Mexico and Arizona, and will include incredible pageantry throughout the night. Opening Ceremonies will include a "Flag Song" performed by Grammy award-winning drum group "Black Eagle," while the National Anthem and seventh-inning stretch will be performed by Miss New Mexico USA Onawa Lacy of the Navajo Nation. Joe Garcia, the esteemed Governor of the Ohkay Owingeh and President of the National Congress of American Indians, will throw out the first pitch, and Benny Shendo Jr., State of New Mexico Indian Affairs Department Cabinet Secretary, will wrap the special evening by awarding the champions.

Tickets are on sale at the Isotopes Box Office and the State of New Mexico Indian Affairs Department at $5 per ticket general admission seating. For more information, please contact (505) 476-1600.