Copa de la Diversión

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File:Copa de la Diversión logo.png
Copa de la Diversión logo
A 2019 Copa game between the Margaritas de El Paso (yellow) and Cazadores de Tormentas de Omaha (green)

Copa de la Diversión (transl. Fun Cup) is an initiative by Minor League Baseball to promote the sport and connect its teams to their Hispanic/Latino communities.[1] Teams adopt a culturally-relevant on-field persona for certain games each season.[2]

History

The promotion started in 2017 with the Es Divertido Ser Un Fan ("It's Fun to Be a Fan") fan engagement program.[3] Four teams participated: the Las Vegas 51s, who took the field as the Reyes de Plata ("Silver Kings");[4] the Charlotte Knights as the Charlotte Caballeros;[5] the Visalia Rawhide, who played as the Visalia Toros;[6] and the Kane County Cougars, who did not change their name for the promotion.

In 2018, the program was renamed Copa de la Diversión and expanded to 33 teams.[7] A trophy (the "Fun Cup") was awarded to the Albuquerque Isotopes franchise, who played as the Mariachis de Nuevo México and set new attendance records during Copa games.[8][9] In 2019, participation increased to 72 teams.[10] Six teams that participated in 2018 using direct Spanish translations of their usual team name adopted new identities for 2019.[11] The number of participants increased to 92 for the 2020 season.[12]

In addition to changing monikers for Copa games, teams also utilize alternate logos, color schemes, jerseys, and hats.[13] The re-branding inspirations have ranged from historical, such as the Reyes de Plata in reference to the contributions migrant workers made to the mining industry of Nevada,[14] to culinary, with the Columbia Fireflies playing as the Chicharrones de Columbia.[15]

The 2020 minor league season was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.[16] Following the 2020 season, Major League Baseball assumed control of Minor League Baseball in a move to increase player salaries, modernize facility standards, and reduce travel.[17] This reorganization and elimination of some teams reduced Copa participants to 76 clubs in 2021.[18] Following the 2021 season, the Worcester Red Sox, who played Copa games as "Los Wepas de Worcester", were awarded the Fun Cup trophy.[19]

In 2022, participation grew to 85 teams.[20]

Participating teams

Key
Start The team's first season of Copa participation under the given identity
Participating teams
Copa name Official name Class League Start Notes Ref.
Abejas de Salt Lake Salt Lake Bees Triple-A Pacific Coast League 2018 "Abejas" is a direct translation of "Bees". [21]
Alces de Maine Portland Sea Dogs Double-A Eastern League 2020
Alebrijes de Modesto Modesto Nuts Class A California League 2019
Ardillas Voladoras de Richmond Richmond Flying Squirrels Double-A Eastern League 2019
Avocados Luchadores de Down East[a] Down East Wood Ducks Class A Carolina League 2020
Bandidos del Río de las Ciudades Cuádruples Quad Cities River Bandits High-A Midwest League 2022
Bólidos de Bowling Green Bowling Green Hot Rods High-A South Atlantic League 2020
Bradenton Barbanegras Bradenton Marauders Class A Florida State League 2019
Brooklyn Jefes Brooklyn Cyclones High-A South Atlantic League 2018
Caballeros de Charlotte Charlotte Knights Triple-A International League 2017
Caballos de Stockton Stockton Ports Class A California League 2018
Cabritos Maldichos de South Bend South Bend Cubs High-A Midwest League 2020 Reference to the Curse of the Billy Goat [22]
Calaveras de West Michigan West Michigan Whitecaps High-A Midwest League 2019
Cangrejos Fantasmas de Chesapeake Bowie Baysox Double-A Eastern League 2018
Cardenales de Springfield Springfield Cardinals Double-A Texas League 2020
Cascabeles de Wisconsin Wisconsin Timber Rattlers High-A Midwest League 2019
Cazadores de Tormentas de Omaha Omaha Storm Chasers Triple-A International League 2018
Cervezas de Durham[b][c] Durham Bulls Triple-A International League 2020
Chicharrones de Columbia Columbia Fireflies Class A Carolina League 2019
Chivos de Hartford Hartford Yard Goats Double-A Eastern League 2018
Chupacabras de Round Rock Round Rock Express Triple-A Pacific Coast League 2018
Churros de San José[d] San Jose Giants Class A California League 2019
Cielo Azul de Oklahoma City Oklahoma City Dodgers Triple-A Pacific Coast League 2018 Cielo Azul translates to "Blue Sky" and is a reference to the Oklahoma sky. It also alludes to the color Dodger blue from parent organization the Los Angeles Dodgers and former Dodgers player Fernando Valenzuela—a Mexican-born pitcher who distinctively looked to the sky during his wind-up. [26]
Cinco Estaciones de Cedar Rapids Cedar Rapids Kernels High-A Midwest League 2020
Cocos Locos de Rochester Rochester Red Wings Triple-A International League 2020
Tumba Vacas de Wichita Wichita Wind Surge Double-A Texas League 2022
Congueros de Syracuse Syracuse Mets Triple-A International League 2022 A conguero is one who plays the conga drum, an instrument played throughout Latin countries but originating in Cuba.[27]
Conquistadores de Everett Everett AquaSox High-A Northwest League 2018
Corpus Christi Cumbias[e] Corpus Christi Hooks Double-A Texas League 2022
Coquís de Lehigh Valley[f] Lehigh Valley IronPigs Triple-A International League 2019
Corazones de Reno Reno Aces Triple-A Pacific Coast League 2019
Cucuys de San Bernardino Inland Empire 66ers Class A California League 2018
Demonios de Des Moines Iowa Cubs Triple-A International League 2019
Diamantes de Arkansas Arkansas Travelers Double-A Texas League 2019
Familia de Tacoma Tacoma Rainiers Triple-A Pacific Coast League 2019
Fenómenos Enmascarados del Valle de Hudson Hudson Valley Renegades High-A South Atlantic League 2020
Flying Chanclas de San Antonio San Antonio Missions Double-A Texas League 2018
Gallos de Delmarva Delmarva Shorebirds Class A Carolina League 2019
Gatos Feroces de New Hampshire New Hampshire Fisher Cats Double-A Eastern League 2019
Guerreros de Fayetteville Fayetteville Woodpeckers Class A Carolina League 2020
Llamas de Hickory Hickory Crawdads High-A South Atlantic League 2019
Locos de Lansing Lansing Lugnuts High-A Midwest League 2019
Lowriders de Fresno Fresno Grizzlies Class A California League 2019
Luchadores de Reading[g] Reading Fightin Phils Double-A Eastern League 2020
Margaritas de El Paso[h] El Paso Chihuahuas Triple-A Pacific Coast League 2019 Copa name is a reference to the Margarita cocktail which traces its origins to the El Paso-Juárez region. [30]
Mariachis de Nuevo México Albuquerque Isotopes Triple-A Pacific Coast League 2018
Matamoscas de Midessa Midland RockHounds Double-A Texas League 2019
Medusas de Jersey Shore[i] Jersey Shore BlueClaws[j] High-A South Atlantic League 2021
Monarcas de Eugene Eugene Emeralds High-A Northwest League 2018
Montañas de Chattanooga Chattanooga Lookouts Double-A Southern League 2019
Murciélagos de Louisville Louisville Bats Triple-A International League 2019
Música de Memphis[k] Memphis Redbirds Triple-A International League 2018
Naturales del Noroeste de Arkansas Northwest Arkansas Naturals Double-A Texas League 2020
Ocelotes de Greensboro Greensboro Grasshoppers High-A South Atlantic League 2019
Pajaritos de Norfolk Norfolk Tides Triple-A International League 2019
Pelícanos de Myrtle Beach Myrtle Beach Pelicans Class A Carolina League 2019
Peoria en el Río Peoria Chiefs High-A Midwest League 2020
Pepinillos Picantes del Norte Great Lakes Loons High-A Midwest League 2022
Perros Calientes de Akron Akron RubberDucks Double-A Eastern League 2021
Perros Santos de Charleston Charleston RiverDogs Class A Carolina League 2019
Pescados de Carolina Carolina Mudcats Class A Carolina League 2019
Picantes de Lake County Lake County Captains High-A Midwest League 2019
Piñatas de Erie Erie SeaWolves Double-A Eastern League 2019
Playeros de Harrisburg Harrisburg Senators Double-A Eastern League 2020
Pointy Boots de Amarillo Amarillo Sod Poodles Double-A Texas League 2020
Los Quesos de Frisco Frisco RoughRiders Double-A Texas League 2022
Ranas de Rio[l] Greenville Drive High-A South Atlantic League 2021
Rápidos de Kannapolis Kannapolis Cannon Ballers[m] Class A Carolina League 2018
Reyes de Plata de Las Vegas Las Vegas Aviators[n] Triple-A Pacific Coast League 2017 "Reyes de Plata" or "Silver Kings" honors migrant workers in the silver mining industry who helped Nevada earn its "Silver State" nickname. [31]
Sacramento Dorados Sacramento River Cats Triple-A Pacific Coast League 2018
Salsa de Winston-Salem[o] Winston-Salem Dash High-A South Atlantic League 2018
San Bernardos de Salem Salem Red Sox Class A Carolina League 2019
Santos de San Pablo St. Paul Saints Triple-A International League 2022
Soñadores de Hillsboro[p] Hillsboro Hops High-A Northwest League 2019 "Soñadores" translates to "Dreamers" and its Copa logo is an Alebrije with embedded graduation caps and a tail that symbolizes the flame on the Statue of Liberty. [33]
Temblores de Rancho Cucamonga Rancho Cucamonga Quakes Class A California League 2018
Toros de Visalia Visalia Rawhide Class A California League 2017
Tortugas de Daytona Daytona Tortugas Class A Florida State League 2018
Vejigantes de Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders Triple-A International League 2019
Veleros de Columbus Columbus Clippers Triple-A International League 2019
Vihuelas de Nashville Nashville Sounds Triple-A International League 2019[q] The vihuela, a high-pitched Mexican guitar popular with Mariachi groups, reflected Nashville's musical heritage. [34]
Viñeros de Tri-City Tri-City Dust Devils High-A Northwest League 2019
Los Wepas de Worcester Worcester Red Sox Triple-A International League 2021 "¡Wepa!" is a Puerto Rican slang term used to express excitement, similar to saying "Woo-hoo!" [35]
Xolos de Gwinnett Gwinnett Stripers Triple-A International League 2019
Yacumamas de Asheville Asheville Tourists High-A South Atlantic League 2020
Zorros de Somerset Somerset Patriots Double-A Eastern League 2022

Former identities

Copa name Official name Class League Season(s) Notes Ref(s).
Boise Papas Fritas Boise Hawks Class A Short Season Northwest League 2020
Cadejos de Lake Elsinore Lake Elsinore Storm Class A-Advanced California League 2019–2020
Campesinos de Salem-Keizer Salem-Keizer Volcanoes Class A Short Season Northwest League 2020
Carnívoros de Ogden Ogden Raptors Rookie Pioneer League 2020
Clinton Elotes Clinton LumberKings Class A Midwest League 2019–2020
Coquís de Florida Florida Fire Frogs Class A-Advanced Florida State League 2019–2020
El Paso Chihuahuas El Paso Chihuahuas Triple-A Pacific Coast League 2018 The Chihuahuas retained their official moniker and logo, but utilized an alternate color scheme. [29]
Energía de Greenville Greenville Drive Class A South Atlantic League 2018–2020
Frijoles Saltarines de Puerto Carlota Charlotte Stone Crabs Class A-Advanced Florida State League 2020
Kane County Cougars Kane County Cougars Class A Midwest League 2017–2020
Lake Elsinore Storm Lake Elsinore Storm Class A-Advanced California League 2018 The Storm retained their official moniker and logo, but utilized an alternate color scheme. [36]
Lehigh Valley Tocino Lehigh Valley IronPigs Triple-A International League 2018 "Tocino", Spanish for "Bacon", continued the incorporation of pork-related food products in Lehigh Valley's branding. [28]
Leyendas de Lexington Lexington Legends Class A South Atlantic League 2019–2020
Lloronas de Montaña Rocosa Rocky Mountain Vibes Rookie Pioneer League 2020
Lúpulos de Hillsboro Hillsboro Hops Class A Short Season Northwest League 2018 "Lúpulos" is a direct translation of "Hops". [32]
Madres de Idaho Falls Idaho Falls Chukars Rookie Pioneer League 2020
Mal de Ojo de Durham Durham Bulls Triple-A International League 2019
Manzanas Luchadores de Fort Wayne Fort Wayne TinCaps Class A Midwest League 2020
Molinos de Burlington Burlington Royals Rookie Appalachian League 2020
Osos Polares de Pawtucket Pawtucket Red Sox Triple-A International League 2019–2020
Patos Joyuyos de Down East Down East Wood Ducks Class A-Advanced Carolina League 2019
Peleadores de Reading Reading Fightin Phils Double-A Eastern League 2019
Petroleros de Tulsa Tulsa Drillers Double-A Texas League 2018–2019
Puentes de Tri-City Tri-City ValleyCats Class A Short Season New York–Penn League 2020
Raspas de Corpus Christi Corpus Christi Hooks Double-A Texas League 2018–2021
Rayados de Winston-Salem Winston-Salem Dash High-A South Atlantic League 2018–2021
San Jose Gigantes San Jose Giants Class A-Advanced California League 2018 "Gigantes" is a direct translation of "Giants". [25]
Toros de Durham Durham Bulls Triple-A International League 2017–2018 "Toros" is a direct translation of "Bulls". [23][24]
Trueno de Trenton Trenton Thunder Double-A Eastern League 2019–2020
Viento de Lancaster Lancaster JetHawks Class A-Advanced California League 2019–2020

Notes

  1. ^ Down East competed as the "Patos Joyuyos de Down East" in 2019
  2. ^ Durham competed as the "Toros de Durham" in 2017 and 2018.[23][24]
  3. ^ Durham competed as the "Mal de Ojo de Durham" in 2019.
  4. ^ San Jose competed as the "San Jose Gigantes" in 2018.[25]
  5. ^ Corpus Christi competed as the "Raspas de Corpus Christi" from 2018 to 2021.
  6. ^ Lehigh Valley competed as the "Lehigh Valley Tocino" in 2018.[28]
  7. ^ Reading competed as the "Peleadores de Reading" in 2019.
  8. ^ El Paso competed as the "El Paso Chihuahuas" in 2018.[29]
  9. ^ Jersey Shore competed as the "Medusas de Lakewood" from 2019 to 2020.
  10. ^ The Jersey Shore BlueClaws were known as the Lakewood BlueClaws from 2019 to 2020.
  11. ^ Memphis did not participate from 2020 to 2021.
  12. ^ Greenville competed as the "Energía de Greenville" from 2018 to 2020.
  13. ^ The Kannapolis Cannon Ballers were known as the Kannapolis Intimidators in 2018 and 2019.
  14. ^ The Las Vegas Aviators were known as the Las Vegas 51s in 2017 and 2018.
  15. ^ Winton-Salem competed as the "Rayados de Winston-Salem" form 2018 to 2021.
  16. ^ Hillsboro competed as the "Lúpulos de Hillsboro" in 2018.[32]
  17. ^ Nashville did not participate in 2021.

References

  1. ^ "Minor League Baseball reveals full schedule of games and date of Unveiling Day for 2019 Copa de la Diversión". MiLB.com. February 18, 2019.
  2. ^ "Minor League Baseball's 'Copa De La Diversión' Hispanic Fan Engagement Initiative Expands to 72 Teams for 2019". Minor League Baseball. September 24, 2018. Retrieved September 24, 2018.
  3. ^ "MiLB launches Hispanic-focused initiative 'Es Divertido Ser Un Fan'". MiLB.com. July 24, 2017.
  4. ^ "51s debut special 'Reyes de Plata' uniforms during Tuesday's game". Las Vegas Review Journal. August 2, 2017.
  5. ^ "The Charlotte Knights Are About To Change Their Name To The Charlotte Caballeros". charlottestories.com. July 25, 2017.
  6. ^ "Rawhide change name to Toros for Latino heritage event". Visalia Times Delta. July 24, 2017.
  7. ^ "Minor League Baseball To Have 'Copa De La Diversión' In Effort To Reach Latino Communities". Forbes. March 20, 2018.
  8. ^ "Minor League Baseball Announces 2019 Copa de la Diversión". La Vida Baseball. March 18, 2019.
  9. ^ "How the numbers stacked up for Mariachi nights at Isotopes Park". bizjournals.com. August 21, 2018.
  10. ^ "2019 Copa de la Diversión Identities Unveiled". Ballpark Digest. March 18, 2019.
  11. ^ "Copa de la Diversión 2019: Same Team, New Identity". Ben's Biz. March 21, 2019.
  12. ^ "Copa Ready to Reach Higher in Third Season". MiLB.com. November 14, 2019. Retrieved November 14, 2019.
  13. ^ "MiLB unveils Copa de la Diversion logos: Part 2". sportslogos.net. March 18, 2019.
  14. ^ "Las Vegas Reyes de Plata Copa Branding". milbcopa.mlblogs.com. March 20, 2018.
  15. ^ "Big on the Pig: Why the Columbia Fireflies Will Become the Chicharrones For Several Games". Post and Courier: Free Times. March 21, 2019.
  16. ^ "2020 Minor League Baseball Season Shelved". Minor League Baseball. June 30, 2020. Retrieved July 1, 2020.
  17. ^ Mayo, Jonathan (February 12, 2021). "MLB Announces New Minors Teams, Leagues". Major League Baseball. Retrieved February 12, 2021.
  18. ^ Mann, Tyler (April 19, 2021). "Copa de la Diversión Back With a Bang in 2021". Minor League Baseball. Retrieved April 19, 2021.
  19. ^ Heneghan, Kelsie (December 7, 2021). "Wepa! WooSox Win Copa de la Diversión". Minor League Baseball. Retrieved December 13, 2021.
  20. ^ "Copa Brings Celebration to Even More Communities". Minor League Baseball. March 31, 2022. Retrieved June 28, 2022.
  21. ^ "Bees Unveil New Abejas de Salt Lake Logos". Salt Lake Bees. Minor League Baseball. March 18, 2019. Retrieved May 21, 2019.
  22. ^ "Los Cabritos Maldichos | South Bend".
  23. ^ a b "Toros de Durham to Celebrate Hispanic Heritage Night". Durham Bulls. Minor League Baseball. July 24, 2017. Retrieved May 21, 2019.
  24. ^ a b "Toros de Durham Copa Branding". Durham Bulls. Minor League Baseball. March 20, 2018. Retrieved May 21, 2019.
  25. ^ a b "San Jose Gigantes Copa Branding". MiLB Copa de la Diversión. Minor League Baseball. March 20, 2018. Retrieved May 21, 2019.
  26. ^ "Cielo Azul de Oklahoma City play inaugural game at Bricktown". okcfox.com. May 31, 2018. Retrieved May 22, 2019.
  27. ^ "Syracuse Mets to Become Congueros de Syracuse for Copa de la Diversión Series". Minor League Baseball. March 31, 2022. Retrieved May 5, 2022.
  28. ^ a b "Lehigh Valley Tocino Copa Branding". MiLB Copa de la Diversión. Minor League Baseball. March 20, 2018. Retrieved May 21, 2019.
  29. ^ a b "El Paso Chihuahuas Copa Branding". Durham Bulls. Minor League Baseball. March 20, 2018. Retrieved May 21, 2019.
  30. ^ "The Man Who Invented the Margarita". Texas Monthly. October 1974. Retrieved May 22, 2019.
  31. ^ Kantowski, Ron (July 24, 2017). "51s to Be Known as 'Las Vegas Silver Kings' as Part of Hispanic Initiative". Las Vegas Review-Journal. Retrieved May 21, 2019.
  32. ^ a b "Hillsboro Hops To Transform Into "Los Lúpulos de Hillsboro" for Five Games During 2018 Season". Hillsboro Hops. Minor League Baseball. March 20, 2018. Retrieved May 21, 2019.
  33. ^ "Hillsboro Hops Will Become 'Dreamers' for Four Games This Season". OregonLive. March 18, 2019. Retrieved May 21, 2019.
  34. ^ "Copa Nashville". Nashville Sounds. Minor League Baseball. March 18, 2019. Retrieved March 18, 2019.
  35. ^ Caputo, Paul (April 18, 2021). "Woosox Likely to Play As Los Wepas de Worcester in Copa Games". Sports Logos. Retrieved April 19, 2021.
  36. ^ "Lake Elsinore Storm Copa Branding". MiLB Copa de la Diversión. Minor League Baseball. March 20, 2018. Retrieved May 21, 2019.

External links

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