Grandma's Travels and Thoughts

Major league baseball games in the states are major budget killers, while in Mazatlan we were able to purchase first row seats behind the Venados dugout for about $25 a person, providing an exciting view of a semi-final playoff game against the Yaquis.

The city is justly proud of the stadium, totally remodeled in 2018, to hold 16,000 people with new seats, dugouts, and even two restaurants to watch the game from. Behind each dugout is an open space, where mascots, entertainment, vendors, and autograph seekers gathered between innings. Seats are very reasonable, with prices starting as low as about $2.50. Although our seats put us in the midst of the excitement, everybody cleared out as soon as pitcher and batter were ready to begin, providing a clear view of a great game.

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The Venados (named after the small white-tailed deer native to the area) are part of the Mexican Pacific League, which consists of 10 teams. Ending the season in 8th place, they had already defeated the 1st place team in play-offs and were playing the 2nd place team, the Yaquis, the night we were there. Their mascots include big Venny and little Venny, dressed as deer, entertaining the crowd on the edge of the field even during the game! Little Venny disappeared about the 6th inning, after he went to high-five a young boy and was taunted instead. The third mascot was Kato, a species unknown to us, who joined Venny for antics on the field.

Team uniforms display supporting company logos, so while Pacifico ( the local beer produced in Mazatlan) was highlighted across the backs of the Venados, the Yaquis proudly promoted Tecato beer on their jerseys, resulting in a real battle of the beers to move to the championship games.

Team names in Mexico tend to highlight foods, animals and traditions of the region, although the Yaquis and Mayo are named for indigenous peoples. While the Oranges (Naranjeros) battling the Tomatos (Tomateros) sounds strange to our ears, the passion of supporters cheering on their teams is no less.

We had looked forward to hot dogs and fresh popcorn at the concession stands, especially since hot dog stands are found every few blocks in the city, only to find neither were available at the game. Instead a vast array of many different and even healthy foods were available. One vender carried cups of sliced melon, pineapple and other fruits and then had bowls of yogurt covered with strawberries, while another offered cups of rice to which you added an array of sauces. Different nuts, containers of caramel corn and popcorn, coolers of sushi, and of course trays of cold beer were regularly carted past by the vendors. One of the most interesting foods to me was a big cup of potato chips, to which upon purchase the vendor squirted three or four different liquids and then shook the concoction vigorously, after which the wet chips were presented to the customer with a fork. Several people around me definitely enjoyed them. Towards the end of the game, vendors came out with piping hot cones of french fries, which I tried to purchase, but sold out before reaching me.

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We arrived early enough to observe the national anthem and flag presentation and then the game was on!! Although Mexicans are not in a rush to be present for the start of the game, with lots of empty seats, by the 4th or 5th inning every seat around us was occupied and even the outfield was filling up! There were awesome double plays, home runs on both sides, and final ending excitement as the Venados were up by three runs in the 7th when the pitcher began to struggle, allowing the Yaquis to pull within one run in the 8th inning. As fans flashed their cell phone lights across the stands and roared their support, the relief pitcher held on for the win!!!

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A great evening of baseball in Mazatlan!!

NOTE: The Venados went on to beat the Yaquis in the series and are now playing the Tomateros for the Championship. Go Venados!!