Mexican Baseball Returns To The East Valley

By Jimmy Jenkins
Published: Friday, July 28, 2017 - 5:05am
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(Photo by Jimmy Jenkins - KJZZ)
Three Mexican baseball teams will play in Mesa this fall.

The Mexican version of spring training is returning to Sloan Park this fall.

Three top teams from the Mexican Pacific league will play in Mesa at the end of September.

Mike Feder is the president of the Mexican Baseball Fiesta. He was a minor-league baseball general manager for 30 years but he says Mexican baseball is a much higher energy spectator sport.

“The music never stops, mascots are on the field, we have live bands following every game — it’s a party,” Feder said.

The fiesta will feature one nine-inning game and a seven-inning doubleheader.

Scheduling conflicts kept the games from Sloan Park last year but Feder says they’re excited to return the home of the Cubs spring training.

Justin Piper is the general manager of Sloan Park. He says the venue is always looking for ways to increase attendance at the Mesa facility.

“I think it’s attractive to maybe a different demographic that would come out here," Piper said. "Still a baseball fan — but wants to experience baseball in a different way."

Mesa joins Tucson and Las Vegas as hosts for the Mexican teams.

Organizers says they expect several thousand people to attend.