Colton Nighthawks Head to World Series

COLTON>> The Colton Nighthawks Travel Organization was founded in 1996 by General Manager John Prieto to promote and support youth development through a competitive baseball program. Ruben Montano Jr. joined the organization a short time later as manager and together, they have helped build a well-known baseball organization. The division with teens 18 years and younger recently won in a tournament in Surprise, Ariz, qualifying the team to represent as the National Qualifier in the 2016 Connie Mack World Series. The team has previously won the tournament three times, qualifying them for a spot in the Connie Mack World Series but could not afford to go. This year will be different as they have the funds to make it all the way. The team will now head to Ricketts field in Farmington, New Mexico July 29- Aug 5 under the direction of Montano and Coach Bob Burk. The Nighthawks have won numerous titles, super series, national series, junior Olympics and have 11 rings from national championships. Prieto said boys from all over the region - and further- come to play on the team because of the team’s reputation. “The coaches do not get paid,” Prieto said. “They do it because they want to be with the boys and teach baseball.” The Nighthawks alumni include college, minor and major league players as well as a few Top 5 Draft Picks. Some alumni recently drafted into the MLB for 2016 include Reggie Lawson of Victor Valley who was drafted into the San Diego Padres, Austin Sodders from Riverside who was drafted into the Detroit Tigers and Matt Ellis from Riverside who was drafted into the St. Louis Cardinals. The Colton Nighthawks are a year-round program with teams participating in highly competitive spring, summer and fall/winter leagues. Nighthawk teams also participate in various tournaments throughout the year. For more information, call (951)217-4622.