5th ANNUAL MEXICAN BASEBALL FIESTA PRESENTED BY VISIT MESA RETURNS TO THE VALLEY WITH A NEW HOME
For Immediate Release
August 19, 2016
Contact: Francisco Gamez
(520) 460-5750
francisco@mexicanbaseballfiesta.com
The Mexican Winter Baseball League’s version of “Spring Training” will come to the valley with our new home in Mesa at Hohokam Stadium. On September 23 & 24 two of the top teams from the Liga Mexicana del Pacifico, Los Naranjeros de Hermosillo and TomaterosdeCuliacan, will play two “Spring Training” games.
All games will be played at Hohokam Stadium, located at 1235 N. Center Street in Mesa, which is Spring Training Home of the Oakland Athletics.
Schedule:
Friday, Sept. 23 7:30 p.m. Hermosillo vs. Culiacan
Saturday, Sept. 24 7:00 p.m. Hermosillo vs. Culiacan
“The Mexican Pacific League, is as popular in Mexico as Major League Baseball is in the U.S., if not more so,” said Francisco Gamez, Mexican Baseball Fiesta, founder and LLC partner. Gamez played over 10 years in the Mexican Pacific League as well as in the Milwaukee Brewers organization in the states. Constant excitement is the best way to describe the Mexican Baseball Fiesta. The energy of the fans, the music and fun make this a unique experience for all baseball fans. This event embraces our Mexican friends and visitors.”
Mike Feder, President of the Mexican Baseball Fiesta, said “We are extremely excited to announce the move to the Oakland A’s newly renovated Spring Training facility in Mesa. It’s important to continue to play in Mesa because of the great partnership we have with our Title Sponsor – Visit Mesa”. Feder was a general manager in minor league baseball for 30 years (15 years in Tucson) and is currently the Executive Director of the NOVA Home Loans Arizona Bowl.
Phoenix is one of six cities on the Mexican Baseball Fiesta. The other cities are Fresno, CA; Round Rock (Austin), TX; Cananea, MX; Tucson (Sept. 29 – Oct. 2); and Nogales, MX.
Tickets to the general public go on sale in early September online. Ticket prices are box seats – $15 and general admission – $10, kids (6-16) $6. Fans will be able to purchase tickets at www.MexicanBaseballFiesta.com, Restaurant Sinaloa, 2601 E. Bell Road in Phoenix, La Gran Bota – 3 Phoenix locations:
35 Ave. & Van Buren Central & Southern Ave. 51st & Indian School
3433 W Van Buren 6016 S Central Ave. 7611 W Thomas Rd.
602 278-6009 602 268-7844 623 849-0117
or at Hohokam Stadium the week of the games.
The Naranjeros de Hermosillo, based inthe Capital ofSonora, has agreatfollowingandstrongattendance.The Naranjeros de Hermosillo are one of the most popular and successful teams in the Mexican Pacific League, having won 16 league titles and two Caribbean Series title. The Naranjeros won the Caribbean Series title in 2014. Theybecamethe firstMexicanteamto win theCaribbean Seriesafterwinningthetitlein 1976. FormerHermosillo players includeCurt Schilling, LarryWalker,FernandoValenzuela, ErubielDurazoandVinnyCastilla. Hermosillo will be managed by Miami Marlins coach Lorenzo Bundy.
TomaterosdeCuliacan areoneof themostpopularteams in theMexicanPacificLeague.TheyhavewontenMexicanPacific LeagueChampionships,mostrecentlyin 2014 and the Caribbean World Series in 2015. The Tomateros are managed by Lino Rivera. Currently on the roster is San Francisco Giants P Ramiro Pena and former MLB IF Oscar Robles.
The Mexican Baseball Fiesta began in 2011 in Tucson and was the brainchild of former professional LMP and minor league baseball pitcher Francisco Gamez. Mike Feder, at the time the GM of the Tucson Padres, worked with Gamez to launch the tour which has been steadily growing in popularity. Jack Donovan, former minor league GM and MLB executive, is also a MBF partner.
“The Mexican Baseball Fiesta is a rare opportunity for baseball fans in the U.S. to experience authentic Mexican baseball games, which feature a festive atmosphere including live music and authentic regional Mexican cuisine. The Mexican Baseball Fiesta is not just a baseball game; it’s a party,” said Feder. “It’s quite an experience. The pitcher is warming up, ready to pitch and the music is still playing. It’s the way it’s done in Mexico. Mascots are on the field for most of the game”.
About Visit Mesa: Visit Mesa is responsible for marketing Mesa, Arizona as a leading vacation, small meeting and sports travel destination to regional and national target audiences, including travel agents and group tour operators, meeting planners, leisure visitors and media.
Information on the Mexican Baseball Fiesta, LLC is available at www.MexicanBaseballFiesta.com
Mike Feder Francisco Gamez Jack Donovan
President Partner Partner
mike@mexicanbaseballfiesta.com francisco@mexicanbaseballfiesta.com Cell (520) 904-1381
Cell: (520) 954-8803 Cell: (520) 460-5750
