Nogales welcomed professional baseball greats from the Tomateros, the professional baseball team in Culiacan, Sinaloa, for a first-ever Tomateros Nogales Youth Baseball Clinic. The event was held on Saturday and Sunday, October 7-8, by the Fresh Produce Association of the Americas (FPAA), the Ley family of Del Campo Supreme.
The clinic was open for local youth ages 4 to 15, and was a fun opportunity for Club Tomateros de Culiacan and the Nogales High School Apaches baseball team to help kids learn about baseball. Participants had the opportunity to hone their baseball skills ranging from beginner’s level to experienced with highly skilled professionals. Among those doing the coaching were Darrel Sherman and Francisco Paquin Estrada of the Tomateros, and Coach Eddie Cota of the Nogales Apaches.
Thirty local kids participated in the clinic, bringing with them a love for the game and an eagerness to learn. Split into two groups based on age, the clinic took place over two days with a morning session for the younger kids ages 4-9, and an afternoon session for those 10-15 years of age.
Lance Jungmeyer, President of the FPAA, who was there to observe and offer support said, "It was so great to see the Tomateros teaching skills to aspiring young ball players. Our communities are so tied together through business and cultural ties. This is another way to strengthen our cooperation and to help Nogales better understand the cultural connection to where our produce comes from.”
Based in Culiacan and owned by the Ley family, the Tomateros are right at the center of fresh produce. Even the name of the team, which translates to Tomato Pickers, reflects its ties to the industry. Baseball, like the fresh produce industry, is an integral part of the cultures of both Nogales and Culiacan. This clinic was in part a gesture to combine the two in an effort to strengthen the bond between the two cities as well as highlight the important economic relationship between the United States and Mexico.
For a full list of sponsors go to: http://www.freshfrommexico.com/2017/09/28/sponsorship-opportunity-tomateros-baseball-clinic-october-7-8/
Contact:
Joe Wright
Fresh Produce Association of the Americas
Tel: (520)287-2707