The Mexican Baseball Fiesta is returning to Tucson for its 14th year, celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month while highlighting the city’s deep ties to Mexico and its Latino community.

Founded in 2011 by former Mexican Pacific League pitcher Francisco Gamez and longtime minor league general manager Mike Feder, the fiesta was created to bring Mexican baseball to fans in the United States.

Organizers say the event has grown into more than just baseball, becoming a celebration of the cultural connections between Tucson and Mexico.

“It's a cross-culture between (Tucson and Mexico) all the time, it's a sharing, and it’s this beautiful community and meshing of cultures,” said Sarah Horvath, director of Kino Sports Complex and Stadium District. “I love being able to celebrate it and having the Mexican Baseball Fiesta here to highlight that.”

Growing up in Tucson, Horvath remembers going to baseball games with her family. She hopes the Mexican Baseball Fiesta can bring families together and create lasting memories.

“I loved going to baseball games as a kid, and I hope for all kids that they get to come out here and enjoy that same fun,” she said.

The fiesta comes during a resurgence of baseball in Tucson. In March, the city hosted the World Baseball Classic qualifiers and will host the Arizona Fall Tripleheader on Oct. 11, both Major League Baseball-affiliated events.

“It really feels like Tucson is back on the map as far as baseball,” Horvath said.

Blake Eager, executive director of Southern Arizona Sports, Tourism and Film Authority, said that as its name suggests, the fiesta “is a party first and a baseball game second.”

Eager encourages anyone to attend, not just for the game itself but for the camaraderie, the relationships, the chance to enjoy a hot dog and a beer, to have conversations in the stands, and then look up and realize the game is going on.

More than just a baseball game, the Mexican Baseball Fiesta is a cultural event celebrating the sport in Mexico, featuring live Mexican music, traditional food, hands-on activities for youth, and, of course, a baseball game for those who want to watch.

“I think the closest thing you could kind of compare Mexican Baseball Fiesta to is the Savannah Bananas,” said Bree Lopez, Visit Tucson's sports sales manager.

The Savannah Bananas are an exhibition barnstorming baseball team from Savannah, Georgia, that has gained popularity through the years with choreographed dances during every game.

Six Mexican Pacific League teams will compete at Kino Veterans Memorial Stadium, including the newly relocated Tucson Baseball Team and the University of Arizona baseball team.

The four-day event starts on Oct. 2 with the first game between the Tucson Baseball Team and Yaquis de Obregón, followed by the Los Naranjeros de Hermosillo playing against the University of Arizona baseball team.

The Tucson Baseball Team will also play on Oct. 4 and 5 to close out the event.

While the fiesta is not part of Major League Baseball, it does feature MLB players, Eager explains. The event is part of the Mexican Winter League, which is as popular in Mexico as MLB is in the United States.

Over the years, Mexican Baseball Fiesta has expanded across the state with games in Nogales, Douglas, Phoenix, Mesa, and Casa Grande.

“If it's not going to be what's on the field that makes you go to the games, it better be the experience you're having,” Eager said. “And I don't think there's a better experience than in Mexican Baseball Fiesta.”

Tickets are available online and range from $20 to $60.

Diana Ramos is a University of Arizona alum and Tucson Spotlight reporter. Contact her at diana@tucsonspotlight.org.  

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