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Borderland Beisbol

Soccer, schmoccer. Mexico loves America's favorite pastime

By Derrik Chinn

Historically speaking, Mexico’s northern rim has always been a big-swingin’ fan of America’s pastime, so it’s no surprise that in 1925 it founded its own version of the MLB, the Liga Mexicana de Béisbol, which celebrates its 90th anniversary this year.

Tijuana is home to the league’s newest and northernmost franchise, the Toros (the Bulls), who play in the newly renovated, 18,000-seat Estadio Gasmart—named after the city’s biggest operater of Pemex stations—in the eastern sector of the city, just below its highest peak, Cerro Colorado. The mostly Mexican roster is spliced with a handful of American loaners, and the same rules of the game apply south of the border.

That said, know that it’s often less about the game and more about what’s happening on the sidelines and in the stands. But when there are not one but three mascots—a chicken, an ape, and a bull—a 10-member fan band, a full squad of pompom-waving, hot-pantsed cheerleaders, and dollar beers, well, even Kenny Powers could figure that one out. More than 50 home games are slotted for the 2015 season, which runs April to August.

Borderland Beisbol

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