Baseball in Yucatan

By Julia Kalmon

Yucatán has been blessed not only with baseball, but with fabulous baseball played by a very successful team called Los Leones de Yucatán. This is the same team that won the Mexican League Championship in 2006 and was eliminated in the seventh game of the Championship series in 2007. We have also witnessed a perfect game, a rarity in any league, pitched by our own Oscar Rivera. From the end of March through the end of July they play the other teams of the Mexican Baseball League.

This league is on the same level of play as American Triple A. Los Leones play at Kukulcán Stadium on the southeast side of Mérida, an easy $50 peso ride by taxi from centro. Tickets vary in price from 20 pesos to 150 pesos depending where you want to sit. Butaca Alta is on the second tier and usually has a wonderful evening breeze. Kukulcán stadium will offer a true regional experience with local food, local folks, and the special flavor that Mexico gives to its baseball. Some of the food offerings are piedras, pulcanes, and kibis, as well as standard foods like French fries, hot dogs, and pizza. You might see a dog, cat, or even a possum interrupt a game; catch a foul ball; learn some colorful insults in Spanish or Maya; watch the local company sponsored dancers; laugh at the antics of Los Leones mascot "Leoncio"; and you'll get to see diving catches, precise double plays, possibly a home run, and root our Leones on to a victory.

More information can be obtained by visiting the Leones' web site at  www.leonesdeyucatan.com.mx

Note: Julia is the author of "Magic, Miracles and Mexican Baseball, The Amazing 2005 Season of Los Leones de Yucatán" available at the Mérida English Library or online at  kalmonjulia@yahoo.com