Mexican baseball continues to grow in the United States, with the announcement of “Béisbol in Salt Lake,” an event scheduled for Oct. 5 and 6 in Salt Lake City, Utah. Two Mexican baseball clubs will face off in two games during Hispanic Heritage Month. This event hopes to show the ability for baseball to succeed in Utah and open the opportunity for a professional team down the line.
Mexico has a rich baseball history, and Salt Lake City is looking to create a baseball legacy of its own. The exchange between the two countries is apparent, as Mexico had 12 players on MLB opening rosters to start the 2024 season, the sixth most players represented by country.
The game will take place at Smith’s Ballpark in Utah, the home field of the Los Angeles Angels Triple-A affiliate, the Salt Lake Bees, and the Utah Utes baseball team. Los Venados de Mazatlán of the LMP will play Los Charros de Jalisco of both the LMP and LMB. Charros competes in both leagues, winning the Mexican Pacific League championship in 2022 and competing in the LMB starting in 2024. Venados won the LMP championship and Caribbean Series in 2016.
Utah Senator Luz Escamilla was born in Mexico and moved to the United States in 1996. She attended the announcement event and used the opportunity to talk about how Utah is a great home for baseball. “…the Latino community is going to be extra excited. It’s just who we are; we’re going to be behind the team like we do with all the other teams in Utah…Wouldn’t it be cool if we actually bring some of their teams and actually showcase them here?” Escamilla said.
Over 492,000 Utah residents are Hispanic or Latino. The impact of Mexican teams coming to play in Utah showcases not only the success of baseball that can be built there but also the passionate Hispanic baseball fan base already there. The “Béisbol in Salt Lake” event on October 5 and 6, 2024, has great potential to lay the groundwork for an eventual MLB expansion franchise in Utah.
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WBN Liga Mexicana de Beisbol: https://worldbaseball.com/league/mexico/
Photo Credit: Maikel Serrano of Charros in his turn at bat in the third inning, during the game between Charros de Jalisco and Naranjeros de Hermosillo as part of Liga Mexicana del Pacifico at Estadio Fernando Valenzuela on December 9, 2023 in Hermosillo, Mexico. (Photo by LuisGutierrez/Norte Photo/Getty Images)
