GECU Mexican Baseball Fiesta Features MLB & MiLB Talents

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The Mexican Baseball Fiesta began five years ago in hopes of showing American baseball fans how the sport is played south of the border. While the game itself is still played with the same rules and same quality of players, the atmosphere is far different than what most American baseball fans are accustomed. In American baseball, there is only music played between innings and when a batter walks up to the plate. In Mexican baseball, music is played non-stop and promotes a celebratory, party-like atmosphere. There are roving Mariachis serenading fans, mascots creating antics on the field and in the stands all lending to and creating this festive, and family-friendly environment. 

El Paso Chihuahuas General Manager Brad Taylor remarked, "There is a bit of a different feel to a Mexican game, the music doesn't stop and neither do the mascots. It is truly a fiesta!"

While it may sound like the party takes away from the game itself, the caliber of play is equal to that of regular season American baseball. In fact, most players on Major League rosters and in Major League farm systems will continue to hone their craft in the Mexican League, referred to as the Winter Leagues. 

The Mexican Baseball Fiesta was started in 2011 in Tucson, Arizona as a four-team exhibition tournament before the Pacific League of Mexico's regular season began. This event has become so successful and that it has grown into Arizona, Northern Mexico and Texas. 

Speaking on the Fiesta's orgins, Francisco Gamez, the Mexican Baseball Fiesta's co-founder, said, "The Mexican Baseball Fiesta started…with the idea to have the Mexican teams come and play in front of the people who cannot go over and watch them play in Mexico." This year the Mexican Baseball Fiesta will consist of exhibition games played in four cities from September to October. 

Fans of baseball in El Paso will get the chance to see the Águilas de Mexicali take on the Naranjeros de Hermosillo on September 25th and 26th.

When asked about the Fiesta in El Paso, Brad Taylor commented, "One of the things that is great about this event is that it brings together the El Paso, Juarez, and Chihuahua region and adds the international flavor to Southwest University Park. 

Last year, there was a markedly different crowd here than that of a Chihuahuas game, and we were thrilled with that because it opened up doors and got people who had never been here before to see the ballpark." 

The Naranjeros de Hermosillo are the Liga Mexicana del Pacífico equivalent to the New York Yankees. Since the league's founding in 1957, Los Naranjeros have won 16 league titles, and in February of 2014 won the Caribbean World Series. The Naranjeros were the first Mexican team to win the Caribbean Series in 1976. Their past has been checkered with Major League greats donning the Naranjeros uniform. Such players include Dodger's legend Fernando Valenzuela, World Series champs Curt Schilling and Erubiel Durazo, 1997 MVP Larry Walker, and two-time All-Star Vinny Castilla. Last season, El Paso Pitching Coach, Bronswell Patrick, served in the same capacity for the Naranjeros. The manager of this year's Naranjeros is veteran MLB infielder Delino DeShields.

The Águilas de Mexicali, based in Baja California, have not necessarily had the same amount of success as the Naranjeros, they have reached the same level of success. Beginning play in 1976, the Águilas have won three Liga Mexicana del Pacífico titles and won the 1986 Caribbean Series. They too have had big names grace their roster including Phillies' legend and current ESPN commentator John Kruk, 12-time All-Star Mike Piazza, World Series champs Jonny Gomes and Sergio Romo, and All-Star Jeff Samardzija.

Fans in the Borderplex looking to experience this one-of-kind event this year can purchase tickets at the Durango Street Box Office and online at epchihuahuas.com.