In Memory of Jose Luis Cardenas Beltran

We are sorry to learn of the passing of Jose Luis Cardenas Beltran, who died tragically in a car accident on May 12, 2004 at the age of 28.  Jose resided in Ensenada, Baja California, Mexico, and played most recently with the Yucaipa Bombers at the Red Rock Tournament in St. George, Utah, little more than a week before the accident.  Our thoughts and prayers go out to his family and friends, including his teammates. 

Jose Luis played on a number of teams, recalls good friend Pedro Antonio Leree, including a slow pitch team called "Zion" from the San Diego area, participating in several tournaments in the San Diego Church League (from the Southern California National Softball Association). In  Ensenada, Jose Luis also played with several teams in the "Liga Empresarial", and in the "Liga Municipal".  Jose Luis homered in this year's Ensenada tournament.

Another of Jose Luis' best friends, Alonso Leree, (brother of Pedro) played both baseball and softball with Jose Luis, and said that Jose Luis loved playing fastpitch with the Yucaipa Bombers and in tournaments like Red Rock, because it "felt like playing in the big leagues".   A friend recalled Jose Luis' excitement when he hit a home run in the So Cal A/B league against one of its top pitchers Travis Price.  It was the highlight of his season.

Remembered as both a great friend and competitor, "Jose Luis" will be missed by many.