Although anyone reading this article might be obsessed enough with baseball to love the sport in all its forms, the various Minor League teams throughout the country tend to require a little extra zest to attract enough fans. That’s why you’ll see all sorts of wacky promotions from helicopter candy drops, to Star Wars themed jerseys/nights, to “Florida Man” night …
… where the Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp will break a new, weird Florida law every inning. Seriously.
But this season, the Minor Leagues are really going to out-do themselves with the Copa de la Diversión or “Fun Cup,” a season long event series specifically designed to “embrace the culture and values that resonate most with participating teams’ local U.S. Hispanic/Latino communities.” According to MiLB.com, 72 Teams will participate in culturally-relevant gameday experiences through music, concessions, and other promotions. You can read all about the plans – and participating teams – right here.
But the BEST PART about this whole plan – or, at least the most fun part – is how Minor League Baseball unveiled the alternate identities of the 72 participating teams.
For select games this year, the Mariachis de Nuevo Mexico will take the field in Albuquerque. The Durham Bulls will become the Toros. Omaha’s Storm Chasers will lace up their spikes as the Cazadores de Tormentas. And the Minors will welcome back the Las Vegas Reyes de Plata and Charlotte Caballeros.
And they’re not just going with a name-change, this is a full-on team identity shift for the selected contests. Take a look at the new – completely awesome – caps:
Dozens of @MiLB teams are announcing their alter egos today for this year's Copa de la Diversión.
Some of these are fantastic. pic.twitter.com/hbHsbaYWdQ
— Yahoo Sports MLB (@MLByahoosports) March 18, 2019
More great caps from @MiLB's Copa de la Diversión series for 2019:
– Clinton Elotes
– Mal de Ojo de Durham
– Locos de Lansing
– Pescados de CarolinaNew alter egos are dropping every hour. 72 total. pic.twitter.com/ESPQJ2zpb9
— Yahoo Sports MLB (@MLByahoosports) March 18, 2019
The @FresnoGrizzlies have announced that their alter ego is the Lowriders De Fresno.
Complete with an actual lowrider. pic.twitter.com/6IkIwBsYFh
— Yahoo Sports MLB (@MLByahoosports) March 18, 2019
Introducing, the Demonios de Des Moines!
The I-Cubs will transform into the Demonios for three home dates in 2019 as part of @MiLB's "Fun Cup" #MiLBesDivertido
More>>https://t.co/Ka7MIkcPHy pic.twitter.com/R9d3tjTiIw
— Iowa Cubs (@IowaCubs) March 18, 2019
Dude. I am SO HERE for this.
I can’t decide which is my favorite just yet, but the Hickory Llamas are right up there among the very best, and the Locos de Lansing are already leading the way:
I mean, come on. That’s just amazing. What a fantastic idea.
Now I just have to find a way to make these changes permanent ….