Pro baseball’s return to Guadalajara after two decades won’t be remembered for the quality of sporting fare provided by the hosts, the Charros de Jalisco, but by the enthusiastic support of local fans in an (almost full) Panamerican Stadium.
Thankfully, the Charros’s fortunes have improved dramatically since October 11 opening day, with the team chalking up three consecutive wins – two at home and one on the road.
But back to opening day. Just over 11,000 fans, many already having purchased blue and yellow Charros merchandize, flocked to the inaugural game of the winter Mexican Pacific League against the Mexicali Eagles.
Jalisco Governor Aristoteles Sandoval threw out a lazy first pitch and once the ceremonies were done and dusted, fans settled down with beer and snacks to – hopefully – watch some compelling ball.
With Juan Delgadillo on the mound for the Charros, the tone was set in the first inning, when an outfield error allowed Mexicali to put the first run on the board.
With the bases loaded at the bottom of the 1st, the first chants of “Charros, Charros, Charros” drifted around the large stadium.
The inning came to nothing, however, and the Charros were unable to get anything going from then on.
The rest of the game was a procession for Mexicali, with runs in the 3rd and 4th, two more errors from the Charros and a three run-homer in the fifth.
The Charros finally got on the board in the 8th inning and although most fans stayed until the last pitch, the atmosphere had fallen somewhat flat.
Those who stayed to the bitter end were rewarded by a flashy fireworks display set to the sounds of the “Jarabe Tapatio” that sent the fans home with a feel-good factor, despite the 8-1 loss.
In the post-game press conference held in the bowels of the stadium, Charros coach Armando Navarette, an Oakland A’s staffer, was disappointed but not disheartened.
“I hoped the good vibrations of the fans would rub off on us. But it was not to be. | wish it had been a better result and the pitching could have been better for sure, but our batters made good contact without any end product. We will improve, I have no doubt about that.”
Before the game, the Charros organization had admitted some anxiety over whether fans would turn up in numbers after such a long spell in the city without baseball.
They needn’t have worried.
“We’ll always support the Charros. We used to come to the old Tecnologico Stadium back in the 1960s,” said Federico Angulo a 72-year-old from Ocotlan, Jalisco, who sat with his two friends in the “restricted view” seats costing a mere 25 pesos.
Built primarily for athletics, the stadium has been transformed to a high standard for baseball at a cost of 49 million pesos, paid for by the Jalisco government.. The views of the new synthetic field from the two-tier main stand behind the plate are impressive, with the floodlights providing perfect illumination for night games.
Alejandro Aranda brought his two young sons to the game and all thoroughly enjoyed the experience. “It’s a fine stadium,” he said. “The atmosphere was good and it was great family fun. We’ll be back for sure.”
The upbeat atmosphere was kept flowing by a lively public announcer, walk-up and at-bat music and “hosts” who kept the crowd fired up between innings. A large video screen provided the game stats as play unfolded, as well as musical and cartoon animations on big plays. A roving cameraman searched out happy fans whose images were projected on to the screen between innings (including a few exhortations for couples to smooch – most willingly obliged).
However the Charros perform on the field, the baseball experience in Guadalajara this winter looks set to be warmly received by fans. The facilities at the stadium are first-class, with a full range of food concessions, and even a restaurant with a view of the field.
While not cheap, food is priced accessibly, with hot dogs running at 40-55 pesos, fries at 25 pesos and beer at 30 pesos. You’ll also find pizza, lonches, birria, chicken wings, ice cream and more.
Kids (and adults) can practice their hitting at several nets set up in the stadium’s ample concourse. There are also slides and trampolines for those moments when youngsters’ attention spans begin to wane.
The well-stocked shop of Charros merchandize did rapid business on opening day. Caps and t-shirts with the team’s distinctive logo were the big sellers, one shop assistant noted.
Free parking has been made available in the nearby Auditorio Telmex lot for at least the first four Charros home games. (The normal rate at the auditorium is 65 pesos; it is not clear wether this fee will kick in once the season is up and running.)
The Charros next home games are on Friday, October 24, 7 p.m.; Saturday, October 25, 4 p.m. and Sunday, October 26, noon. Tickets 25-600 pesos (VIP seating). Available on Ticketmaster at www.ticketmaster.com.mx, 3818-3800 or at the stadium box office prior to the game (also on game day).