Learn Mexican baseball traditions at Kino Veterans Memorial Stadium
The Vamos a Tucson Mexican Baseball Fiesta will provide a treat for area baseball fanatics, when several teams from south of the border travel to Arizona to celebrate baseball and southern culture from October 4 to October 7.
The eighth annual event will feature four teams from the Mexican Pacific League – Naranjeros de Hermosillo, Yaquis de Obregon, Aguilas de Mexicali and Caneros de Los Mochis – as well as the UA Wildcats baseball team, and the future stars from the Kansas City Royals.
To accompany quality baseball at Kino Veterans Memorial Stadium, there will be good food and drinks for the thousands of fans eager to watch games unlike those played at any other time in the year, and to celebrate national pride.
“The Vamos a Tucson Mexican Baseball Fiesta has become one of the top entertainment/baseball events on the Tucson calendar,” says Mike Feder, Fiesta president. “The word fiesta best describes our event – a party.”
Founder and partner Francisco Gamez, who played professional baseball for more than 10 years in the Mexican Pacific League and the Milwaukee Brewers organization, says the league is incredibly popular in Mexico. The festival provides a chance for those who moved from Mexico to the United States to watch teams they grew up with.
Drawing nearly 20,000 fans in 2017, the Vamos a Tucson Mexican Baseball Fiesta should break attendance records this year.
“Hearing the Mexican national anthem is emotional and special for the people who are living in Arizona,” Gamez says.
“Each year, we have a lot of Mexican immigrants coming to the Tucson event from different parts of Arizona, but also other parts of the United States, who are excited to watch the games.”
Beside just great baseball, Executive Vice President of Visit Tucson Felipe Garcia, said the competition brings outside business into the city as well.
“We’re excited to partner with this great event for the eighth year to bring Mexican baseball back to Tucson,” Garcia says. “Events like the Mexican Baseball Fiesta not only allow 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.”
Gamez says many Americans unfamiliar with the Mexican Pacific League’s baseball tradition may be surprised by the teams’ talent, and the fun they can have during the four days.
“We’re lucky enough to have these great teams coming, and the American teams will have a chance to see how they stack up to the professionals of another country,” he says.
“Overall, though, we just love watching, and I know this is going to be another amazing year.”
Vamos a Tucson Mexican Baseball Fiesta is three days of fun, baseball and culture. (Photos courtesy Mexican Baseball Fiesta)
