Mexican Baseball Fiesta Returns to Tucson
The Tucson Padres and Visit Tucson have announced that the fourth annual Vamos a Tucson Mexican Baseball Fiesta presented by Cox will be played on Oct. 2-5, 2014, at Kino Veterans Memorial Stadium.
This year’s event will include the Naranjeros de Hermosillo, Tomateros de Culiacan, Yaquis de Obregon, and Mayos de Navojoa of the Mexican Pacific League, as well as a group of the top instructional league players from the Los Angeles Dodgers and Kansas City Royals.
“This tournament includes some of the most popular teams in Mexico,” said Mike Feder, president of the Mexican Baseball Fiesta LLC. “The Vamos a Tucson Mexican Baseball Fiesta will be a tradition in Tucson for many years to come.”
Feder joined fiesta founder Francisco Gamez and Jack Donovan in forming the Mexican Baseball Fiesta LLC. All three partners worked for the Tucson Padres. The Mexican Baseball Fiesta takes place in seven cities – Tucson, Phoenix, El Paso, Magdalena, Agua Prieta, Cananea and Nogales, Mexico.
“The Mexican Pacific League is as popular in Mexico as Major League Baseball is in the U.S., if not more so,” said Gamez, who played in the league for more than 10 years.
Donovan, who also pitched in the Mexican Pacific League, said, “The energy of the fans, the music and fun make this a unique experience for all baseball fans that transcends borders and language.”
Visit Tucson is one of two title sponsors of the Vamos a Tucson Mexican Baseball Fiesta. Cox Communications added its support this year.
Tickets to the general public go on sale on Sept. 8. Tickets can be purchased in person at the Kino Stadium box office, on the phone by calling (520) 434-1367 or online at MexicanBaseballFiesta.com. The prices are premier box seats – $15, box seats – $13, adult general admission – $9, Students 6 – 16 and senior citizens 55+ – $6; under 6 are free. A free kids baseball clinic is planned on Saturday, Oct. 4.
Official opening ceremonies for the 2014 Vamos a Tucson Mexican Baseball Fiesta will take place between games on Friday, Oct. 3.
Thursday, Oct. 2 – start 5:30 p.m. Culiacan vs. Kansas City Future Stars Hermosillo vs. Dodgers Future Stars
Friday, Oct. 3 – start 5:30 p.m. Dodgers Future Stars vs. Obregon Hermosillo vs. Navojoa (rematch of LMP Finals)
Saturday, Oct. 4 – start 5:30 p.m. Culiacan vs. Navojoa Hermosillo vs. Obregon
Sunday, Oct. 5 – start 4 p.m. Obregon vs. Navojoa Hermosillo vs. Culiacan
Mexican Pacific League teams coming to Tucson:
Naranjeros de Hermosillo The team based in Hermosillo, Sonora, is one of the most popular and successful teams in the Mexican Pacific League, having won 16 league titles and two Caribbean Series titles. Former Hermosillo players include Curt Schilling, Larry Walker, Fernando Valenzuela, Erubiel Durazo and Vinny Castilla.
Yaquis de Ciudad Obregon The team from Obregon won three Mexican Pacific League Championships in a row from 2010 to 2012, giving the team seven in club history. They also won the Caribbean Series in 2011 and 2012. Former Obregon players include Kansas City Royals pitcher Joakim Soria, Baltimore Orioles pitcher Luis Ayala and current San Diego Padres infielder Everth Cabrera.
Tomateros de Culiacan The Tomateros have won nine Mexican Pacific League Championships, most recently in 2004. In that same year they went on to win the Caribbean Series with a lineup that featured several major league players like Rodrigo Lopez, Oliver Perez, Luis Ayala, Jose Silva and Benji Gil.
Mayos de Navojoa The Mayos lost to the Naranjeros in last year’s league championship series. They have been champions of the league twice – in 1978–79, with Chuck Goggin as coach, and in 1999-2000, with Lorenzo Bundy as manager. Bundy, who lives in Tucson and is the Los Angeles Dodgers third base coach, has managed Navojoa nine years, taking the Mayos to the championship series four times..
Kino Sports Complex is the largest venue in Pima County for youth, amateur and professional sports, concerts, and community events. The south baseball complex includes the 11,000-seat Kino Veterans Memorial Stadium, seven full-size fields, three clubhouses and parking. The north soccer complex includes the 2,900-seat North Stadium, which is home to the FC Tucson soccer club, a 1,000-seat North Grandstand field, four additional fields, and a clubhouse with parking. kinosportscomplex.com
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