Major League Baseball’s presence in Mexico has been steadily growing, with the country becoming one of only six in the world to have an MLB office. Rodrigo Fernandez, the head of the MLB organization in Mexico, has been leading various initiatives to promote baseball in the country, including the First Pitch program for kids and the MLB Cup tournament for 11 and 12 year olds. The MLB Cup recently concluded its fifth championship, showcasing the talent and potential of young Mexican players.
The MLB office in Mexico collaborated with the Mexican baseball federation to organize the tournament, which featured 28 teams and culminated in the finals being held in Mexico City. The focus of these initiatives is to encourage more kids to play baseball and potentially join the Mexican Baseball League or represent the national team in their age group. Fernandez, who has been the director of the office since its inception in 2016, has been instrumental in driving these efforts to promote the sport in Mexico.
While the MLB office in Mexico is primarily focused on growing the sport locally, there were initial discussions about the potential for Mexico to become a site for MLB expansion. However, MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred has clarified that Mexico is not currently being considered for expansion, and the focus now is on solidifying the local leagues and building stronger relationships with existing baseball organizations in Mexico. The league’s president, Horacio de la Vega, has been instrumental in increasing attendance at stadiums, broadcasting games on national TV and streaming services, and expanding the sport’s popularity among younger fans.
The impact of these efforts is already evident, as fan attendance at Mexican baseball games has increased significantly, with a shift towards a younger demographic of fans. The Diablos Rojos team, for example, has seen a shift from mostly older fans to a majority of fans under 45, with a significant increase in average attendance per game. While hosting MLB regular-season series in Mexico is a unique opportunity, some fans have expressed concerns about ticket prices, which can be quite high and out of reach for many. However, the popularity of these events among fans signifies the growing interest in baseball in Mexico.
Mexico has a history of hosting MLB games, with the first game taking place in Monterrey in 1996. Since then, Mexico has hosted multiple regular-season series, with plans to continue bringing games to the country through 2026. Despite the challenges posed by the coronavirus pandemic, efforts to promote baseball in Mexico remain steadfast, with ongoing initiatives to engage fans and inspire the next generation of players. The MLB office in Mexico continues to work towards expanding the sport’s reach and popularity, hoping to establish a strong baseball culture in the country for years to come.
