| Oaxaca
City is a great place to watch baseball.
GUERREROS
One of the most storied teams in Mexican Baseball League's Southern
Division, the Guerreros de Oaxaca (Oaxaca Warriors) play at the
Eduardo Vasconcelos stadium located 15 blocks northwest of the Zócalo
and three blocks east of the ADO
bus station on Niños Heroes de Chapultepec.
The season runs March-August and play-offs are in September. The
Mexican League is a AAA-level baseball minor league.
For news and standings, consult MLB's team
page. MLB also provides the roster
and schedule
for the Guerreros and league
standings.
GUERRERITAS
Mexican teams have mascots AND cheerleaders. Oaxaca's featured
dancers are the Guerreritas or the 'Warriorettes.' (Photo)
THE FIELD
The playing field dimensions are 350 feet down the left field line,
320 feet down the right field line, 380 and 360 feet to the left
and right field power alleys, and 410 feet to the deepest point
in center field. The artificial turf is always green.
THE STADIUM
The Eduardo Vasconcelos stadium was first constructed in 1950 and
renovated in 1996. The stadium has a seating capacity of 7,500.
New in 2008 is a large video screen that shows crowd shots and Tato-cam.
WHERE TO SIT
If you want to catch a bit of sun, sit behind third base. If you
want a great mountain view, sit behind first base. If you prefer
immerse yourself in the noise and Guerreromania, sit behind home
plate. If you want the cheap seats, head toward the seats behind
the outfield.
FOOD
Don't come to the ball park on a full stomach. Come hungry!
There are plenty of food offerings, almost all of which are better
than the standard hot dog. Since the Guerreros started play in 1996,
Antojitos Lupe has cooked up an amazing variety of snacks for fans.
Popular items include chicken tacos, beef tostadas, tamales, empanadas
and the ever popular tlayuda.
Tlayudas deserve special recognition. A tlayuda is a large tortilla
cooked to order on a gas grill. The tortilla is smothered in beans,
cheese, veggies and -- upon request -- beef. Vegetarians take note,
sin carne, the tlayuda is the best meatless entree at the
park. This regional favorite is sometimes called a 'Oaxacan pizza.'
If you want one, ask. You won't see many on the trays -- they are
made to order.
Tostadas are topped with crumbled sausage -- salchica oaxaqueña
-- easily spotted by the bright red coloring -- and green avocado
sauce. Buen provecho!
Just want something sweet? Venders carry baskets filled with candies.
MENU
Tamales - Tasty! Fresh tamales are served steaming
hot.
Taquitos - Crunchy! It's a meat dish AND dinner
salad.
Empanadas - Spicy! Sometimes a little soggy, moistness
does not detract from the flavor. Accompanied with limes and jalapeño
peppers.
Tostadas - Colorful! A hard shell tortilla topped
with tasty beef (salchicha
oaxaqueña) and green guacamole sauce.
TIP - There are many vendors selling the Lupe line of traditional
Oaxacan food. Perhaps the most distinguishable is Eustolia Cruz.
Jon
Clark writes: "With her head wrapped in a traditional headscarf
and her shoulders cloaked in the multi-purpose shawl known as a
rebozo, she balances a basket on her head, dutifully trekking
up and down the stadium steps as she calls out: 'Empanadas! Empanadas!
How many do you want?'"
BORED?
If you get bored, compare the number of Banamex, Marti and Mexicana
advertisements. Extra points if you can spot the promotion for a
bookstore.
MEDIA
Games are broadcast XEOA, 570AM and sometimes on the local public
television Channel 9.
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