Kofa’s Julio Reina honored at World Series Game 2

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) - From the desert diamonds of Yuma to the grand stage of the World Series, Kofa High School graduate Julio Reina is living a dream few young players ever imagine.

After a standout summer with the Arizona Diamondbacks Nike RBI team, Reina was chosen to represent the organization and the Reviving Baseball in Inner Cities (RBI) program at the World Series, attending Game 2 in Toronto alongside other standout players and team staff.

Reina's selection came after an incredible run this summer, helping lead Arizona to the RBI World Series title game. His biggest moment a game-winning hit in a 14-inning semifinal earned him recognition from the D-Backs and a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to see the sport’s biggest event up close.

"Favorite moment of my baseball career since I was little…it was perfect...like baseball heaven over there," Reina said.

Players in the RBI program were invited by Major League Baseball and the D-Backs organization for the experience, aimed at celebrating young athletes who’ve excelled both on and off the field.

"They gave us a hat, a shirt, the ticket for the game...I couldn't believe it. I'm like, 'I'm here!' It was unreal," Reina said.

While in Toronto, Reina soaked in every moment, from meeting players to watching the stars of the game up close.

"That was perfect. We saw a lot of the Dodgers, Ohtani, Freeman, Kershaw. It was such a cool experience."

For Reina, it's another milestone in a baseball journey that started right here in Yuma, and one he hopes will inspire other local players to chase big-league dreams.

"You just gotta keep working...keep believing in yourself. They're gonna look at Yuma and see a few kids who really made it," he said.