Show Navigation
All Galleries
Add to Cart Download

A Journey Through The Mexican Baseball League

14 images Created 1 May 2022

Baseball is wildly popular in Mexico and considered equivalent to Major Leagues Triple A baseball, the last stop in the minor league system before reaching "The Show." Many professionals, including the legendary Fernando Valenzuela, herald from Mexico and major league teams such as the San Diego Padres have long standing outreach programs to pull from their south-of-the-border neighbors. More so, many major leaguers looking to resuscitate a stalled career find themselves playing in the Mexican Baseball League in places like Oaxaca and Minatitlan. But, the perks are few and the travel (mainly by bus) is arduous. I spent a week traveling with the Saltillo Saraperos for The Sporting News.

©Todd Bigelow/Contact Press Images. Please direct licensing inquiries to Info@ToddBigelowPhotography.com

Loading ()...

  • A man looks for a seat at the beginning of a baseball game between the Saltillo, Saraperos and the Oaxaca Charros at the baseball stadium in Oaxaca, Mexico in June, 1996. The Mexican Baseball league, once a league for castoffs and has-beens from Major League Baseball in America, has gained respect the last several years after producing a number of Major League All-Stars such as Vinny Castilla who played in Oaxaca.
    MexicanBaseball14.jpg
  • MINATITLAN, MEXICO:  Saltillo Sarapero players enjoy a laugh between innings of a game in Minatitlan, Mexico.
    MexicanBaseball11.jpg
  • MINATITLAN, MEXICO: A grounder gets by a Saltillo Saraperos infielder in Minatitlan, Mexico.
    MexicanBaseball07.jpg
  • MINATITLAN, MEXICO: A vendor waits for fans outside the baseball stadium in Minatitlan, Mexico where fans are few and far between.
    MexicanBaseball17.jpg
  • MINATITLAN, MEXICO:  The lack of a locker room for dressing forces a Saltillo Sarapero player to dress in a hallway leading to the field.
    MexicanBaseball10.jpg
  • MEXICO CITY, MEXICO: Players make their way onto the field for a Mexican Baseball League game in Mexico City, Mexico.
    MexicanBaseball08.jpg
  • MEXICO CITY, MEXICO: A vendor makes his way through the mostly empty seats at the stadium in Mexico City during a Mexican League Baseball game. Soccer is still the most popular sport.
    MexicanBaseball13.jpg
  • OAXACA, MEXICO: Money is a lot less in the Mexican Baseball League so shoes are polished and marked with pens to hide the blemishes.
    MexicanBaseball18.jpg
  • OAXACA, MEXICO: A player for the Saltillo Saraperos signs autographs for a couple of young fans before a game in Oaxaca.
    MexicanBaseball01.jpg
  • OAXACA, MEXICO: Saltillo Sarapero players celebrate after scoring during a game in Oaxaca Mexico.
    MexicanBaseball04.jpg
  • TIJUANA, MEXICO: The San Diego Padres recognize the teams fan base south of the border with a retail Padres store in Tijuana where tickets and apparel are sold.
    MexicanBaseball16.jpg
  • OAXACA, MEXICO:  Players in the Mexican Baseball League travel by bus between cities whereas there counterparts in the U.S. travel by charter flights.
    MexicanBaseball19.jpg
  • OAXACA, MEXICO:  Fans wait in line for tickets to a game in Oaxaca, Mexico.
    MexicanBaseball12.jpg
  • MINATITLAN, MEXICO: Baseball fans in Minatitlan, Mexico find the cheapest seats are the free ones outside the stadium as they gather on a wall to watch a Mexican Baseball League game.
    MexicanBaseball06.jpg
View: 100 | All

Todd Bigelow Photography

  • Gallery Archive
    • All Galleries
    • Search
    • Cart
    • Lightbox
    • Client Area
  • Eastern Sierras Archive
  • Bio & Client List
  • Consultation Services
  • Workshop: Business of Photography
  • Book: The Freelance Guide To Success: Business
  • Southern California Portraits
  • Licensing and Permissions
  • Contact
  • Portfolio