Introduction to Mexican Baseball League
Mexican Baseball League is the foremost professional baseball league in Mexico. It is one of the oldest baseball leagues in the world, having been established in 1925. The Mexican Baseball League is made up of 16 teams and is divided into two divisions; the North, consisting of eight teams, and the South, consisting of the remaining eight teams. Each team plays a total of 108 games, with 54 in the first half of the season and 54 in the second half. The top four teams in each division advance to the post-season playoffs, with the Mexican Baseball League champion being crowned after the best-of-seven championship series.
History and Evolution of Mexican Baseball League
The Mexican Baseball League was founded in 1925 by a group of businessmen in Mexico City. The league was initially composed of six teams, but quickly grew to include teams from all over the country. The Mexican Baseball League has gone through several changes over the years, from the introduction of the draft in 1945 to the addition of the Mexico City Red Devils in 1965.
In the 1970s, the Mexican Baseball League began to see a decline in attendance and interest, leading to a reorganization of the league in 1977. This reorganization saw the introduction of the All-Star Game and the incorporation of the Caribbean Series, which brought together teams from Mexico, the Dominican Republic, Venezuela, and Puerto Rico. This period also saw the introduction of the designated hitter and the expansion of the league to 16 teams.
Mexican Baseball League Today
Today, the Mexican Baseball League is considered one of the best professional baseball leagues in the world. The league is home to some of the best players in the world, including former Major League Baseball stars Adrian Gonzalez, Fernando Valenzuela, and Carlos Quentin. The league is also home to a number of international stars, including Japanese slugger Shohei Ohtani and Cuban star Yulieski Gurriel.
The Mexican Baseball League also has a strong fan base, with many fans attending games in person and watching them on television. The league also has a strong presence on social media, with teams and players interacting with fans through Twitter and Facebook.
Level of Competition in Mexican Baseball League
The level of competition in the Mexican Baseball League is considered to be very high. The league has a long history of producing players who have gone on to have great success in Major League Baseball, including Adrian Gonzalez, Fernando Valenzuela, and Carlos Quentin. The league is also home to some of the top international players, such as Shohei Ohtani and Yulieski Gurriel.
The level of competition in the league is further bolstered by the presence of a number of talented young players. The Mexican Baseball League has a strong youth development system, with teams hosting youth camps and academies throughout the country. This allows young players to hone their skills and gain experience at the professional level.
Mexican Baseball League Rivalries
The Mexican Baseball League is known for its intense rivalries. The most famous rivalry is between the Mexico City Red Devils and the Monterrey Sultans, which dates back to the early days of the league. The rivalry between these two teams has been highly contested for decades, and is one of the most heated rivalries in all of professional baseball.
In addition to the Red Devils-Sultans rivalry, there are a number of other rivalries in the Mexican Baseball League. There are rivalries between teams from different regions of the country, such as the rivalry between the Mexico City Red Devils and the Tijuana Toros. There are also rivalries between teams from the same region, such as the rivalry between the Monterrey Sultans and the Monclova Acereros.
Attendance at Mexican Baseball League Games
The Mexican Baseball League has seen a steady increase in attendance in recent years. In 2019, the league saw an average attendance of over 5,000 fans per game. This is up from an average attendance of 4,000 in 2018 and 3,500 in 2017.
The increased attendance is largely due to the increased popularity of the league, as well as the presence of high-profile international stars. The league has also seen an increase in the number of fans attending games in person, with the majority of fans attending games in Mexico City and Monterrey.
Mexican Baseball League Salaries
The salaries of players in the Mexican Baseball League are among the highest in professional baseball. The average salary for a player in the league is around $2 million, with some of the top players making upwards of $3 million. The league also has a salary cap, which limits the amount a team can spend on players.
In addition to the salary cap, the Mexican Baseball League also has rules in place to ensure competitive balance. Teams are not allowed to sign players who are considered “elite”, meaning they must sign players who are considered to be of average talent. This ensures that teams in the league are competitive and that no one team has an unfair advantage.
Pros and Cons of Mexican Baseball League
Pros:
- High Level of Competition: The Mexican Baseball League is home to some of the best players in the world, including former Major League Baseball stars. The level of competition in the league is very high and is further bolstered by the presence of talented young players.
- Intense Rivalries: The Mexican Baseball League is known for its intense rivalries, which add to the excitement and atmosphere at games. These rivalries can also be seen in other sports in Mexico, such as soccer and basketball.
- Increased Attendance: The Mexican Baseball League has seen a steady increase in attendance in recent years, due to the increased popularity of the league and the presence of high-profile international stars.
- High Salaries: The salaries of players in the Mexican Baseball League are among the highest in professional baseball, with the average salary for a player being around $2 million.
Cons:
- Lack of Exposure: The Mexican Baseball League is not as popular or widely known as some of the other major professional baseball leagues, such as Major League Baseball or the Japan Central League.
- Smaller Markets: The Mexican Baseball League is primarily composed of smaller markets, which makes it difficult for teams to attract high-profile free agents or sign lucrative broadcast deals.
- Lack of Financial Resources: The Mexican Baseball League is not as well funded as some of the other major professional baseball leagues, which limits the amount of money teams can spend on players.
Conclusion
The Mexican Baseball League is one of the oldest and most respected professional baseball leagues in the world. The league is home to some of the best players in the world, and has a strong fan base and intense rivalries. The league has seen an increase in attendance in recent years, and has a strong youth development system.
Overall, the Mexican Baseball League is a great option for fans of professional baseball. The level of competition is high, the salaries are competitive, and the rivalries are intense. The league has its drawbacks, such as a lack of exposure and smaller markets, but it is still an excellent option for those looking to watch professional baseball.