Texico kid off to two national baseball tournaments

Dalton Hartle has loved baseball since he was "itty-bitty." Now, at age 12, the Texico resident will be participating in not one but two national youth baseball tournaments in the next month.

"He is so into it when it comes to baseball, he just has really loved it since he was tiny. He plays football and basketball but baseball is his passion for sure," Dalton's mother Leslie Hartle said.

Dalton, his mother and father, Brenton, and his little brother Braxton, live in Texico.

Dalton regularly attends Lubbock Baseball Academy.

"When COVID shut baseball down (in New Mexico) we took him to Texas. Normally he plays for LBA," Leslie Hartle said.

His mom remembers how excited Dalton was to be going to LBA.

"It's where (CHS alumnus) Keaton Greenwalt went. He went on to play in the Philadelphia Phillies organization, now he plays for a league in Minnesota," Leslie Hartle said.

According to Leslie Hartle, Dalton is a catcher and pitcher.

"He is an ambidextrous pitcher," Leslie Hartle said.

Leslie Hartle believes Dalton heard about the tournaments from his dad.

"He had to try out for the USSSA All American Tournament, he's playing for the South region. It's going to be in Melbourne, Fla., July 24 through July 30," Leslie Hartle said.

She said when the USSSA tournament is over it's off to Austin, Texas for the Youth Baseball All-American Games.

Dalton's favorite baseball team is one from another region in the country.

"It's the Boston Red Sox. Probably because it's his dad's favorite team. Mine too, by default," Leslie Hartle said.

Dalton's favorite college team is Texas Tech.

"He has seen Boston play in Dallas and has seen Texas Tech play a few games.

He grew up going to Texas Tech baseball camp," Leslie Hartle said.

Leslie Hartle knows what her son wants for his future.

"He wants to be a baseball player, go to Texas Tech and then on to Major League Baseball. And he said just the other day that he also wants to be a sports announcer," Leslie Hartle said.

But in the immediate future it's off to two national tournaments.

"I am really excited for him, it should just be a really neat experience," Leslie Hartle said.

Trent Petrie, former member of the Texas Tech baseball coaching staff, is the owner of LBA.

"I'm excited for him. He's a leader in the field. We're all really excited for him to represent eastern New Mexico and Lubbock Baseball Academy," Petrie said.

Petrie said he is unaware of any other LBA member headed to either of the tournaments Dalton is going to.

"His parents have been extremely supportive of our LBA program. We're appreciative of their efforts," Petrie said.

Petrie pointed out that LBA has had "a lot of good players" out of the Clovis area.