Think baseball isn’t a big deal in Mexico? Think again. The country-wide championship win of the Merida Leones in 2006 made Merida’s hometown AAA team nationwide news. It has also made tickets harder to come by, so we were very fortunate to have some friends score us some tickets for Saturday night’s game versus the Cancun Tigres. Though the Leones lost that night, in a crushing 10-5 loss, there are a lot of interesting differences between American and Mexican baseball, and highlights that I wanted to share.

There are two things that are better about baseball in Mexico:

1. When the game ends, the entire stadium empties ONTO THE FIELD, where the kids run the bases, scramble around on the pitcher’s mound, and pose for pictures with the team. Like most other things in Mexico, baseball is a very kid-friendly activity, and our overfed, overpriced players in the States could learn a thing or two about fan service.
2. Mexican baseball has scantily-clad cheerleaders. And scantily-clad dancing corporate sponsors. And at times, even, a scantily-clad mascot.

Tickets range from 15 pesos for outfield seats, to 90 pesos for the killer seats we had right behind third. It was easily one of the most fun sporting events we have ever attended, and we highly recommend a night at the stadium with the Leones. For more information or for tickets, check out their official website (in Spanish, natch). Now…on to the photos!

Overall shot of the stadium in Merida. 

Buy me some kibis and Cracker Jacks.

Jillian gets personal with the Leones mascot.

 
The crowd starts to turn in the devastating 6th inning, which saw 6 runs from the Tigres.

Not even the cheerleaders could save the mood of the depressed crowd.

After the game, however, the real fun begins, with the kids all running bases and meeting their heroes.

Jillian the traitor poses with a hated Tigre.

She almost went back to Cancun with them.

Any caption I could give this photo would be redundant.

I am happy to have this photo, as I now have a new person in my life to look up to.

All of us.

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