June 29 — For two years, one of Pueblo’s most popular sporting events has been left behind.

Last summer, the annual Tony Andenucio Memorial Baseball Tournament was canceled due to a global pandemic.

This summer, the tournament returns for the 41st time to the Runyon Sports Complex despite a one month postponement.

Annually played on Father’s Day weekend, the 12-team, four-day extravaganza was forced to be played in July due to Colorado High School Activities Association Season D, which ended. end of June. This year, the tournament will take place July 15-18 at Hobbs and Andenucio grounds.

Here are some sights and sounds to admire during this year’s ‘Nuch’.

Founder and Tournament Director Joe Andenucio is just happy to play again.

“Delighted to death,” Andencio said. “We take whatever we can get to play baseball.”

“The third weekend in July was the best we could do. It’s usually the first tournament of the summer and now we’re the last. It doesn’t matter. Hopefully next year we get back to normal. “

The best thing about fans who want to watch the tournament, entry is free.

Considered one of the best tournaments in the country, fans will have the opportunity to watch some of the best players in the region.

This year’s field features a pair of new teams, one from the Denver area and another from Colorado Springs. Farmington, NM and Las Vegas dropped out this year.

The schedule is posted on the Runyon Field website at runyonfieldsportscomplex.org.

The 12 teams on the field this year are: Pueblo Azteca, Grand Junction, Burkburnett (Texas), Woodward (Oklahoma), Cheyenne (Wyoming), 4-Corners (New Mexico), Cherry Creek, Parker Lightning, Diamond Club (Colorado ), Colorado rookies, Greeley and Albuquerque.

Cherry Creek is coached by Marc Johnson and has appeared in every Nuch tournament since its inception.

Johnson has been the head coach of Cherry Creek High School since 1973 and has built one of the most powerful baseball programs in the state.

Last season, Johnson became the most successful coach in Colorado high school baseball history with his 808th victory, overtaking Jim Danley of Eaton.

The Johnson Bruins have won eight state baseball titles, played 14 state championship games, and 51 of their players were drafted in the Major League Baseball Draft.

The Pueblo Collegians will play a preseason game on Wednesday night. This is an opportunity to catch a number of former Pueblo prep players who dot the Collegians roster.

In addition, the Jim DiIorio tournament will be played in conjunction with the ‘Nuch on Friday, Saturday and Sunday on the surrounding grounds.

“We will all have the same rewards and the format is the same,” said Andenucio. “Everyone is happy to play ball.”

Senior sports journalist Jeff Letofsky can be reached by email at [email protected] or on Twitter @jeffletofsky

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