For Immediate Release
August 6, 2018
Contact: Mike Feder, (520) 954-8803
mike@mexicanbaseballfiesta.com
or Francisco Gamez, (520) 460-5750
francisco@mexicanbaseballfiesta.com

The eighth annual Vamos a Tucson Mexican Baseball Fiesta presented by Vantage West, Desert Diamond Casino, and Visit Tucson will be played on October 4 – 7 at Kino Stadium in Tucson.

This year’s event will include the Naranjeros de Hermosillo, Yaquis de Obregon, Aguilas de Mexicali, and the Cañeros de Los Mochis of the Mexican Pacific League (Liga Mexicana Del Pacifico), as well as the Arizona Wildcats, and the Future Stars from the Kansas City Royals. This will be the 4th year that the Royals have sent their best young prospects to the MBF. That’s a tribute to the level of baseball the Fiesta provides on both sides of the border. Hermosillo and Obregon have participated in all eight years. The Mexican Baseball Fiesta will also take place in Phoenix (Mesa), Nogales and Douglas, Arizona.

This will be the Arizona Wildcats first time in the Mexican Baseball Fiesta. The newest addition to our schedule between Hermosillo vs. the Arizona Wildcats will occur in the second game of the doubleheader on Thursday, October 4 th . Under the leadership of Coach Jay Johnson, Arizona Baseball is 121-67 the past three seasons with a pair of NCAA Tournament bids. The Wildcats have won at least 34 games each of the past three seasons and have had 20 players drafted in that span. Among those drafted is former catcher and Hermosillo native, Cesar Salazar, who was selected in the seventh round of June’s draft by the Houston Astros. Salazar is also on the Naranjeros winter roster. There is a possibility that he may play in the Fiesta this year based on permission being granted by the Houston Astros, his major league affiliate.

“The Mexican Pacific League, is as popular in Mexico as Major League Baseball is in the U.S., if not more so. This tournament includes some of the most popular teams in Mexico” said Francisco Gamez, Mexican Baseball Fiesta, Founder and 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, the food, and fun make this a unique experience for all baseball fans.” MBF founder Gamez joined Mike Feder and Jack Donovan in forming the Mexican Baseball Fiesta, LLC in 2011.

“The Vamos A Tucson Mexican Baseball Fiesta has become one of the top entertainment/baseball events on the Tucson calendar,” said Mike Feder, President of the Mexican Baseball Fiesta. “The word Fiesta best describes our event – A PARTY! Vamos a Tucson Mexican Baseball Fiesta will continue to be a tradition in
Tucson for many years to come. We’re excited that the Mexican Baseball Fiesta continues to grow every year. In 2018, our attendance exceeded 15,000 fans which included a near capacity crowd on Saturday night. We are also thrilled to add the Arizona Wildcats to the Mexican Baseball Fiesta. They will be a great addition to this year’s events. The Cats fans will bring a new excitement to the Fiesta.”

“We’re excited to partner with this great event for the eighth year to bring Mexican baseball back to Tucson,” said Felipe Garcia, Executive Vice President of Visit Tucson. “Events like the Mexican Baseball Fiesta not only allows us to celebrate our friendship with Mexico through baseball, but also has a great economic impact in our community. Visiting teams and fans will use over 2,000 room nights and will bring an economic impact in excess of $1.5 Million Dollars.” Hermosillo and Mexicali will continue training in Tucson a couple of weeks prior to the Fiesta.”

Visit Tucson is one of three title sponsors of the Vamos a Tucson Mexican Baseball Fiesta. Visit Tucson has visitor centers in Hermosillo and Obregon. Vamos a Tucson is the Mexican marketing department of Visit Tucson. Vantage West will be the Title Sponsor for the third year. Desert Diamond Casino returns for the eighth straight year.

Tickets for the Vamos a Tucson Mexican Baseball Fiesta go on sale in early September online at www.MexicanBaseballFiesta.com. Ticket prices are box seats – $15 and general admission for adults – $10, kids (6-16) $6. Tickets will also be on sale at the Kino Stadium box office two weeks before the first game as well as other local locations. More information will follow on those locations. The full tournament schedule will be released in the next few weeks. The popular games between Hermosillo and Obregon will once again be the second game of the doubleheader on both Friday and Saturday. That game has drawn in excess of 5,000 fans every year.

Information on the Mexican Pacific League teams coming to Tucson:

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.

Information on the Mexican Baseball Fiesta, LLC is available at www.MexicanBaseballFiesta.com; on Facebook at Mexican Baseball Fiesta; on Twitter at @MexBaseballFsta in English, @MexBeisbolFsta in Spanish.

Mike Feder                                                               Francisco Gamez                                                                   Jack Donovan
President Founder                                                   Partner                                                                                    Partner
mike@mexicanbaseballfiesta.com                          francisco@mexicanbaseballfiesta.com                                   Cell: (520) 460-5750
Cell (520) 904-1381                                                 Cell: (520) 954-8803