For Immediate Release
July 27, 2017
Contact: Francisco Gamez
(520) 460-5750
francisco@mexicanbaseballfiesta.com
The Mexican Winter Baseball League’s version of “Spring Training” will return to the valley for the seventh consecutive year. This year marks the Mexican Baseball Fiesta’s fourth year in Mesa and the return to Sloan Park. This year’s games will be September 28-30. Four of the top teams from the Liga Mexicana del Pacifico will participate: Los Naranjeros de Hermosillo, Yaquis de Obregon, Águilas de Mexicali and Cañeros de Los Mochis.
All games will be played at Sloan Park, located at 2330 W. Rio Salado Pkwy in Mesa, which is home to the Chicago Cubs during Spring Training.
Schedule:
Sept. 28 (7:30 p.m.) Hermosillo vs. Los Mochis
Sept. 29 (5:30 p.m.) First game (7 innings): Los Mochis vs. Mexicali, Second game (7 innings): Hermosillo vs. Obregon
Sept. 30 (5 p.m.) Hermosillo vs. Obregon
“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. “As a result of our success, we now have three dates in Mesa instead of two. 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. “The word Fiesta best describes our event – A PARTY! The Mexican Baseball Fiesta will continue to be a tradition in Mesa for many years to come. We’re excited that the Mexican Baseball Fiesta continues to grow in the Valley every year. We are thrilled to have to the Mexican Baseball Fiesta return to Mesa, as well as welcoming back the heated rivalry Hermosillo vs. Obregon on two nights for our fans to enjoy.”
Justin Piper, Chicago Cubs General Manager – Sloan Park, said “Sloan Park is excited to once again host the Mexican Baseball Fiesta. We look forward to welcoming the Mexican Winter League teams and their fans for an energetic baseball experience.”
Mesa is one of a number of cities taking part in this year’s Mexican Baseball Fiesta. The other cities finalized are Tucson, Douglas and Nogales.
Tickets to the general public go on sale Thursday, August 30 th . Ticket prices for box seats are $15 and general admission tickets are $10. Tickets for children age 6-16 are $6. Fans can purchase tickets online at www.MexicanBaseballFiesta.com or www.sloanpark.com and at the Sloan Park Ticket Office starting September 24 through September 30 from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m., or until the top 7th inning on gamedays.
Naranjeros de Hermosillo
The team based in the Capital of Sonora has a great following and strong attendance. 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. They became the first Mexican team to win the Caribbean Series after winning the title in 1976. Former Hermosillo players include Curt Schilling, Larry Walker, Fernando Valenzuela, Erubiel Durazo and Vinny Castilla. Hermosillo will be managed by former Tucson Padres pitching coach Bronswell Patrick.
Yaquis de Ciudad Obregon
The team from Obregon had won three Mexican Pacific League Championships in a row from 2010 – 2012, giving the team seven in club history. They also won the Caribbean Series in 2011 and 2012. Games between the Naranjeros and Yaquis are considered as some of the best matchups in the league, due to the long rivalry between both teams. Former Obregon players include Kansas City Royals pitcher Joakim Soria, former Baltimore Orioles pitcher Luis Ayala. The Yaquis are managed by Oscar Robles.
Cañeros de Los Mochis play in the state of Sinaloa. The Cañeros won the league championship in 1984 and 2003. Ramon Orantes will manage the team. Notable players from the Cañeros include Aurelio Rodriguez, Mike Cameron, Tucsonan Ed Vosberg, and Juan Castro.
Agulias de Mexicali play in the Capital of Baja California. Mexicali was the LMP league champion in 2016 / 2017. The team has a history of playing against Arizona teams, when in the 50’s it played against the Tucson Cowboys in the Arizona-Mexico League. The Aguilas won the league championship in 1986, 1989, 1999 and 2016. The team also won the 1986 Caribbean Series. Former Mexicali players include Mike Piazza, John Kruk and Rudy Seanez. Former MLB IF Luis Sojo will manage the team.
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.
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
President Partner
mike@mexicanbaseballfiesta.com francisco@mexicanbaseballfiesta.com
Cell: (520) 954-8803 Cell: (520) 460-5750
