The Juegos de la Comunidad 2026 concluded at Macombs Dam Park in the Bronx, where the Bedford Baseball League secured two tournament titles following a series of dramatic matchups. Organized by the Fundación Dominicana de Deportes en Nueva York Inc. (FDDNY) in honor of Hispanic Heritage Month, the milestone 40th-anniversary tournament brought together 48 teams, local families, and former Major League Baseball players for a multi-day athletic showcase.
High Drama in the 13-14 Division Final
The most intense sequence of the tournament unfolded during the 13-14 division championship game. The Academia Guerrero entered the final inning holding a 13-10 lead over the Bedford Baseball League, putting them three outs away from the trophy. However, Bedford mounted a late two-out rally, plating four runs in their final turn at bat to pull off a 14-13 comeback victory. Dereck Sosa earned the division’s Most Valuable Player award for his performance during the tournament, while Robert Mora took home the best pitcher recognition for Bedford.
Bedford Controls the 15-16 Division
In the older 15-16 age bracket, the Bedford Baseball League encountered fewer complications on its way to a second title, defeating the Liga Morris 10-2 in the championship match. Giromy Vólquez anchored the victory from the mound, striking out six batters to secure the division’s best pitcher award. Teammate Roldany Vásquez led the offense and received the division’s Most Valuable Player honor. Juan Rodríguez accepted the championship trophy on behalf of the Bedford organization.
Van Cortlandt Edges Liga Morris in 11-12 Thriller
The 11-12 division final delivered a similarly narrow margin, as the Van Cortlandt Baseball League outlasted the Liga Morris 13-12. Alan Jiménez earned the win as the game’s pitcher and collected the category’s best pitcher award. Miguel Ortiz received the tournament MVP selection for the division under the direction of manager Levington de Jesús. In the third-place game for that bracket, the White Sox de Angel defeated the Academia Guerrero 3-2.
Community Support and Major League Presence
The tournament, held on the historic grounds of the former Yankee Stadium at 161st Street and River Avenue, received dedicated backing from Gorayeb & Associates, led by firm president Christopher Gorayeb. The 2026 competition was jointly dedicated to Gorayeb and Mariano Rivera. Former major league pitcher Bartolo Colón attended the final day of competition to present medals to young participants, including players from the Gigantes de Adonais, marking a high-profile closing ceremony for the neighborhood event.
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