Copa de la Diversión
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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] In 2024, Minor League Baseball reached an agreement with Estrella TV to air select games from the tournament.[21]
Participating teams
Former identities
| Copa name | Official name | Class | League | Season(s) | Notes | Ref(s). |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cadejos de Lake Elsinore | Lake Elsinore Storm | Class A-Advanced | California League | 2019–2020 | Cadejos | |
| Campesinos de Salem-Keizer | Salem-Keizer Volcanoes | Class A Short Season | Northwest League | 2020 | Farmers | |
| Carnívoros de Ogden | Ogden Raptors | Rookie | Pioneer League | 2020 | Carnivores | |
| Cervezas de Durham | Durham Bulls | Triple-A | International League | 2020 | Beers | |
| Cinco Estaciones de Cedar Rapids | Cedar Rapid Kernels | High-A | Midwest League | 2020 | Five Seasons -- a reference to Cedar Rapids's nickname, "the City of Five Seasons" | |
| Clinton Elotes | Clinton LumberKings | Class A | Midwest League | 2019–2020 | Corn cobs -- see elote | |
| Coquís de Florida | Florida Fire Frogs | Class A-Advanced | Florida State League | 2019–2020 | Coquís | |
| Coquís de Lehigh Valley | Lehigh Valley IronPigs | Triple-A | International League | 2019 | Coquís | |
| Corazones de Reno | Reno Aces | Triple-A | Pacific Coast League | 2019 | Hearts | |
| 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. | [30] |
| Energía de Greenville | Greenville Drive | Class A | South Atlantic League | 2018–2020 | Energy | |
| Frijoles Saltarines de Puerto Carlota | Charlotte Stone Crabs | Class A-Advanced | Florida State League | 2020 | Jumping Beans of Port Charlotte | |
| Kane County Cougars | Kane County Cougars | Class A | Midwest League | 2017–2020 | Cougars | |
| 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. | [37] |
| Lehigh Valley Tocino | Lehigh Valley IronPigs | Triple-A | International League | 2018 | Bacon | [29] |
| Leyendas de Lexington | Lexington Legends | Class A | South Atlantic League | 2019–2020 | Legends | |
| Lúpulos de Hillsboro | Hillsboro Hops | Class A Short Season | Northwest League | 2018 | Hops | [33] |
| Madres de Idaho Falls | Idaho Falls Chukars | Rookie | Pioneer League | 2020 | Mothers | |
| Mal de Ojo de Durham | Durham Bulls | Triple-A | International League | 2019 | The Evil Eye -- see evil eye | |
| Manzanas Luchadores de Fort Wayne | Fort Wayne TinCaps | Class A | Midwest League | 2020 | Fighting Apples | |
| Molinos de Burlington | Burlington Royals | Rookie | Appalachian League | 2020 | Mills -- a reference to the historic textile mill industry in the area | |
| Osos Polares de Pawtucket | Pawtucket Red Sox | Triple-A | International League | 2019–2020 | Polar Bears | |
| Patos Joyuyos de Down East | Down East Wood Ducks | Class A-Advanced | Carolina League | 2019 | Jeweled Ducks | |
| Peleadores de Reading | Reading Fightin Phils | Double-A | Eastern League | 2019 | Fighters (or Brawlers) | |
| Petroleros de Tulsa | Tulsa Drillers | Double-A | Texas League | 2018–2019 | Oilmen | |
| Puentes de Tri-City | Tri-City Valleycats | Single-A | New York–Penn League | 2020[38] | Bridges over the Hudson River | |
| Raspas de Corpus Christi | Corpus Christi Hooks | Double-A | Texas League | 2018–2021 | Scrapers (refers to shaved ice) | |
| Rayados de Winston-Salem | Winston-Salem Dash | High-A | South Atlantic League | 2018–2021 | Striped Ones | |
| San Jose Gigantes | San Jose Giants | Class A-Advanced | California League | 2018 | Giants | [26] |
| Toros de Durham | Durham Bulls | Triple-A | International League | 2017–2018 | Bulls | [24][25] |
| Tortugas de Daytona | Daytona Tortugas | Class A | Florida State League | 2018 | Turtles | |
| Trueno de Trenton | Trenton Thunder | Double-A | Eastern League | 2019–2020 | Thunder | |
| Viento de Lancaster | Lancaster JetHawks | Class A-Advanced | California League | 2019–2020 | Wind |
Notes
- ↑ Down East competed as the "Patos Joyuyos de Down East" in 2019
- ↑ Durham competed as the "Toros de Durham" in 2017 and 2018.[24][25]
- ↑ Durham competed as the "Mal de Ojo de Durham" in 2019.
- ↑ San Jose competed as the "San Jose Gigantes" in 2018.[26]
- ↑ Corpus Christi competed as the "Raspas de Corpus Christi" from 2018 to 2021.
- ↑ Lehigh Valley competed as the "Lehigh Valley Tocino" in 2018.[29]
- ↑ Reading competed as the "Peleadores de Reading" in 2019.
- ↑ El Paso competed as the "El Paso Chihuahuas" in 2018.[30]
- ↑ Midland competed as the "Matamoscas de Midessa" from 2019 to 2023.
- ↑ Jersey Shore competed as the "Medusas de Lakewood" from 2019 to 2020.
- ↑ Memphis did not participate from 2020 to 2021.
- ↑ Peoria competed as "En El Rio" from 2020 to 2023.
- ↑ Greenville competed as the "Energía de Greenville" from 2018 to 2020.
- ↑ The Kannapolis Cannon Ballers were known as the Kannapolis Intimidators in 2018 and 2019.
- ↑ The Las Vegas Aviators were known as the Las Vegas 51s in 2017 and 2018.
- ↑ Winton-Salem competed as the "Rayados de Winston-Salem" from 2018 to 2021.
- ↑ Hillsboro competed as the "Lúpulos de Hillsboro" in 2018.[33]
- ↑ Rancho Cucamonga competed as the "Temblores de Rancho Cucamonga" from 2018 to 2023.
- ↑ Nashville did not participate in 2021.
References
- ↑ "Minor League Baseball reveals full schedule of games and date of Unveiling Day for 2019 Copa de la Diversión". MiLB.com. February 18, 2019.
- ↑ "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.
- ↑ "MiLB launches Hispanic-focused initiative 'Es Divertido Ser Un Fan'". MiLB.com. July 24, 2017.
- ↑ "51s debut special 'Reyes de Plata' uniforms during Tuesday's game". Las Vegas Review Journal. August 2, 2017.
- ↑ "The Charlotte Knights Are About To Change Their Name To The Charlotte Caballeros". charlottestories.com. July 25, 2017.
- ↑ "Rawhide change name to Toros for Latino heritage event". Visalia Times Delta. July 24, 2017.
- ↑ "Minor League Baseball To Have 'Copa De La Diversión' In Effort To Reach Latino Communities". Forbes. March 20, 2018.
- ↑ "Minor League Baseball Announces 2019 Copa de la Diversión". La Vida Baseball. March 18, 2019.
- ↑ "How the numbers stacked up for Mariachi nights at Isotopes Park". bizjournals.com. August 21, 2018.
- ↑ "2019 Copa de la Diversión Identities Unveiled". Ballpark Digest. March 18, 2019.
- ↑ "Copa de la Diversión 2019: Same Team, New Identity". Ben's Biz. March 21, 2019.
- ↑ "Copa Ready to Reach Higher in Third Season". MiLB.com. November 14, 2019. Retrieved November 14, 2019.
- ↑ "MiLB unveils Copa de la Diversion logos: Part 2". sportslogos.net. March 18, 2019.
- ↑ "Las Vegas Reyes de Plata Copa Branding". milbcopa.mlblogs.com. March 20, 2018.
- ↑ "Big on the Pig: Why the Columbia Fireflies Will Become the Chicharrones For Several Games". Post and Courier: Free Times. March 21, 2019.
- ↑ "2020 Minor League Baseball Season Shelved". Minor League Baseball. June 30, 2020. Retrieved July 1, 2020.
- ↑ Mayo, Jonathan (February 12, 2021). "MLB Announces New Minors Teams, Leagues". Major League Baseball. Retrieved February 12, 2021.
- ↑ Mann, Tyler (April 19, 2021). "Copa de la Diversión Back With a Bang in 2021". Minor League Baseball. Retrieved April 19, 2021.
- ↑ Heneghan, Kelsie (December 7, 2021). "Wepa! WooSox Win Copa de la Diversión". Minor League Baseball. Retrieved December 13, 2021.
- ↑ "Copa Brings Celebration to Even More Communities". Minor League Baseball. March 31, 2022. Retrieved June 28, 2022.
- ↑ "¡LISTO! Baseball's 'COPA DE LA DIVERSIÓN' comes to ESTRELLATV and the ESTRELLATV APP". Hispanic AD. September 4, 2024. Retrieved September 8, 2024.
- ↑ "Bees Unveil New Abejas de Salt Lake Logos". Salt Lake Bees. Minor League Baseball. March 18, 2019. Retrieved May 21, 2019.
- ↑ "Los Cabritos Maldichos | South Bend".
- ↑ 24.0 24.1 "Toros de Durham to Celebrate Hispanic Heritage Night". Durham Bulls. Minor League Baseball. July 24, 2017. Retrieved May 21, 2019.
- ↑ 25.0 25.1 "Toros de Durham Copa Branding". Durham Bulls. Minor League Baseball. March 20, 2018. Retrieved May 21, 2019.
- ↑ 26.0 26.1 "San Jose Gigantes Copa Branding". MiLB Copa de la Diversión. Minor League Baseball. March 20, 2018. Retrieved May 21, 2019.
- ↑ "Cielo Azul de Oklahoma City play inaugural game at Bricktown". okcfox.com. May 31, 2018. Retrieved May 22, 2019.
- ↑ "Syracuse Mets to Become Congueros de Syracuse for Copa de la Diversión Series". Minor League Baseball. March 31, 2022. Retrieved May 5, 2022.
- ↑ 29.0 29.1 "Lehigh Valley Tocino Copa Branding". MiLB Copa de la Diversión. Minor League Baseball. March 20, 2018. Retrieved May 21, 2019.
- ↑ 30.0 30.1 "El Paso Chihuahuas Copa Branding". Durham Bulls. Minor League Baseball. March 20, 2018. Retrieved May 21, 2019.
- ↑ "The Man Who Invented the Margarita". Texas Monthly. October 1974. Retrieved May 22, 2019.
- ↑ 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.
- ↑ 33.0 33.1 "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.
- ↑ "Hillsboro Hops Will Become 'Dreamers' for Four Games This Season". OregonLive. March 18, 2019. Retrieved May 21, 2019.
- ↑ "Copa Nashville". Nashville Sounds. Minor League Baseball. March 18, 2019. Retrieved March 18, 2019.
- ↑ Caputo, Paul (April 18, 2021). "Woosox Likely to Play As Los Wepas de Worcester in Copa Games". Sports Logos. Retrieved April 19, 2021.
- ↑ "Lake Elsinore Storm Copa Branding". MiLB Copa de la Diversión. Minor League Baseball. March 20, 2018. Retrieved May 21, 2019.
- ↑ Season cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic