Copa de la Diversión
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/Latinx communities.[1] Teams adopt a culturally-relevant on-field persona for certain games each season.[2]
![](../I/m/Copa_de_la_Diversi%C3%B3n_logo.png)
![](../I/m/2019_Copa_El_Paso_at_Omaha.jpg)
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 monickers 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]
Table 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". | [16] |
Alces de Maine | Portland Sea Dogs | Double-A | Eastern League | 2020 | ||
Alebrijes de Modesto | Modesto Nuts | Class A-Advanced | California League | 2019 | ||
Ardillas Voladoras de Richmond | Richmond Flying Squirrels | Double-A | Eastern League | 2019 | ||
Avocados Luchadores de Down East[lower-alpha 1] | Down East Wood Ducks | Class A-Advanced | Carolina League | 2020 | ||
Boise Papas Fritas | Boise Hawks | Class A Short Season | Northwest League | 2020 | ||
Bólidos de Bowling Green | Bowling Green Hot Rods | Class A | Midwest League | 2020 | ||
Bradenton Barbanegras | Bradenton Marauders | Class A-Advanced | Florida State League | 2019 | ||
Brooklyn Jefes | Brooklyn Cyclones | Class A Short Season | New York–Penn League | 2018 | ||
Caballeros de Charlotte | Charlotte Knights | Triple-A | International League | 2017 | ||
Caballos de Stockton | Stockton Ports | Class A-Advanced | California League | 2018 | ||
Cabritos Maldichos de South Bend | South Bend Cubs | Class A | Midwest League | 2020 | ||
Cadejos de Lake Elsinore[lower-alpha 2] | Lake Elsinore Storm | Class A-Advanced | California League | 2019 | ||
Calaveras de West Michigan | West Michigan Whitecaps | Class A | Midwest League | 2019 | ||
Campesinos de Salem-Keizer | Salem-Keizer Volcanoes | Class A Short Season | Northwest League | 2020 | ||
Cangrejos Fantasmas de Chesapeake | Bowie Baysox | Double-A | Eastern League | 2018 | ||
Cardenales de Springfield | Springfield Cardinals | Double-A | Texas League | 2020 | ||
Carnívoros de Ogden | Ogden Raptors | Rookie | Pioneer League | 2020 | ||
Cascabeles de Wisconsin | Wisconsin Timber Rattlers | Class A | Midwest League | 2019 | ||
Cazadores de Tormentas de Omaha | Omaha Storm Chasers | Triple-A | Pacific Coast League | 2018 | ||
Cervezas de Durham[lower-alpha 3][lower-alpha 4] | Durham Bulls | Triple-A | International League | 2020 | ||
Chicharrones de Columbia | Columbia Fireflies | Class A | South Atlantic League | 2019 | ||
Chivos de Hartford | Hartford Yard Goats | Double-A | Eastern League | 2018 | ||
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. | [20] |
Cinco Estaciones de Cedar Rapids | Cedar Rapids Kernels | Class A | Midwest League | 2020 | ||
Clinton Elotes | Clinton LumberKings | Class A | Midwest League | 2019 | ||
Cocos Locos de Rochester | Rochester Red Wings | Triple-A | International League | 2020 | ||
Coquís de Florida | Florida Fire Frogs | Class A-Advanced | Florida State League | 2019 | ||
Coquís de Lehigh Valley[lower-alpha 5] | Lehigh Valley IronPigs | Triple-A | International League | 2019 | ||
Corazones de Reno | Reno Aces | Triple-A | Pacific Coast League | 2019 | ||
Corpus Christi Raspas | Corpus Christi Hooks | Double-A | Texas League | 2018 | ||
Cucuys de San Bernardino | Inland Empire 66ers | Class A-Advanced | California League | 2018 | ||
Demonios de Des Moines | Iowa Cubs | Triple-A | Pacific Coast League | 2019 | ||
Diamantes de Arkansas | Arkansas Travelers | Double-A | Texas League | 2019 | ||
Energía de Greenville | Greenville Drive | Class A | South Atlantic League | 2018 | ||
Everett Conquistadores | Everett AquaSox | Class A Short Season | Northwest League | 2018 | ||
Familia de Tacoma | Tacoma Rainiers | Triple-A | Pacific Coast League | 2019 | ||
Fenómenos Enmascarados del Valle de Hudson | Hudson Valley Renegades | Class A Short Season | New York–Penn League | 2020 | ||
Frijoles Saltarines de Puerto Carlota | Charlotte Stone Crabs | Class A-Advanced | Florida State League | 2020 | ||
Gallos de Delmarva | Delmarva Shorebirds | Class A | South Atlantic League | 2019 | ||
Gatos Feroces de New Hampshire | New Hampshire Fisher Cats | Double-A | Eastern League | 2019 | ||
Guerreros de Fayetteville | Fayetteville Woodpeckers | Class A-Advanced | Carolina League | 2020 | ||
Kane County Cougars | Kane County Cougars | Class A | Midwest League | 2017 | ||
Leyendas de Lexington | Lexington Legends | Class A | South Atlantic League | 2019 | ||
Llamas de Hickory | Hickory Crawdads | Class A | South Atlantic League | 2019 | ||
Lloronas de Montaña Rocosa | Rocky Mountain Vibes | Rookie | Pioneer League | 2020 | ||
Locos de Lansing | Lansing Lugnuts | Class A | Midwest League | 2019 | ||
Lowriders de Fresno | Fresno Grizzlies | Triple-A | Pacific Coast League | 2019 | ||
Luchadores de Reading[lower-alpha 6] | Reading Fightin Phils | Double-A | Eastern League | 2020 | ||
Madres de Idaho Falls | Idaho Falls Chukars | Rookie | Pioneer League | 2020 | ||
Manzanas Luchadores de Fort Wayne | Fort Wayne TinCaps | Class A | Midwest League | 2020 | ||
Margaritas de El Paso[lower-alpha 7] | 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. | [23] |
Mariachis de Nuevo México | Albuquerque Isotopes | Triple-A | Pacific Coast League | 2018 | ||
Matamoscas de Midessa | Midland RockHounds | Double-A | Texas League | 2019 | ||
Medusas de Lakewood | Lakewood BlueClaws | Class A | South Atlantic League | 2019 | ||
Molinos de Burlington | Burlington Royals | Rookie | Appalachian League | 2020 | ||
Monarcas de Eugene | Eugene Emeralds | Class A Short Season | Northwest League | 2018 | ||
Montañas de Chattanooga | Chattanooga Lookouts | Double-A | Southern League | 2019 | ||
Murciélagos de Louisville | Louisville Bats | Triple-A | International League | 2019 | ||
Naturales del Noroeste de Arkansas | Northwest Arkansas Naturals | Double-A | Texas League | 2020 | ||
Ocelotes de Greensboro | Greensboro Grasshoppers | Class A | South Atlantic League | 2019 | ||
Osos Polares de Pawtucket | Pawtucket Red Sox | Triple-A | International League | 2018 | ||
Pajaritos de Norfolk | Norfolk Tides | Triple-A | International League | 2019 | ||
Pelícanos de Myrtle Beach | Myrtle Beach Pelicans | Class A-Advanced | Carolina League | 2019 | ||
Peoria en el Río | Peoria Chiefs | Class A | Midwest League | 2020 | ||
Perros Santos de Charleston | Charleston RiverDogs | Class A | South Atlantic League | 2019 | ||
Pescados de Carolina | Carolina Mudcats | Class A-Advanced | Carolina League | 2019 | ||
Picantes de Lake County | Lake County Captains | Class 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 | ||
Puentes de Tri-City | Tri-City ValleyCats | Class A Short Season | New York–Penn League | 2020 | ||
Rancho Cucamonga Temblores | Rancho Cucamonga Quakes | Class A-Advanced | California League | 2018 | ||
Rápidos de Kannapolis | Kannapolis Cannon Ballers[lower-alpha 8] | Class A | South Atlantic League | 2018 | ||
Reyes de Plata de Las Vegas | Las Vegas Aviators[lower-alpha 9] | 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. | [24] |
Round Rock Chupacabras | Round Rock Express | Triple-A | Pacific Coast League | 2018 | ||
Sacramento Dorados | Sacramento River Cats | Triple-A | Pacific Coast League | 2018 | ||
San Antonio Flying Chanclas | San Antonio Missions[lower-alpha 10] | Triple-A | Pacific Coast League | 2018 | ||
San Bernardos de Salem | Salem Red Sox | Class A-Advanced | Carolina League | 2019 | ||
San Jose Churros[lower-alpha 11] | San Jose Giants | Class A-Advanced | California League | 2019 | ||
Soñadores de Hillsboro[lower-alpha 12] | Hillsboro Hops | Class A Short Season | 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. | [27] |
Tortugas de Daytona | Daytona Tortugas | Class A-Advanced | Florida State League | 2018 | ||
Trueno de Trenton | Trenton Thunder | Double-A | Eastern League | 2019 | ||
Vejigantes de Scranton/Wilkes-Barre | Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders | Triple-A | International League | 2019 | ||
Veleros de Columbus | Columbus Clippers | Triple-A | International League | 2019 | ||
Viento de Lancaster | Lancaster JetHawks | Class A-Advanced | California League | 2019 | ||
Vihuelas de Nashville | Nashville Sounds | Triple-A | Pacific Coast League | 2019 | The vihuela, a high-pitched Mexican guitar popular with Mariachi groups, reflects Nashville's musical heritage. | [28] |
Viñeros de Tri-City | Tri-City Dust Devils | Class A Short Season | Northwest League | 2019 | ||
Visalia Toros | Visalia Rawhide | Class A-Advanced | California League | 2017 | ||
Winston-Salem Rayados | Winston-Salem Dash | Class A-Advanced | Carolina League | 2018 | ||
Xolos de Gwinnett | Gwinnett Stripers | Triple-A | International League | 2019 | ||
Yacumamas de Asheville | Asheville Tourists | Class A | South Atlantic League | 2020 |
Former identities
Copa name | Official name | Class | League | Season(s) | Notes | Ref |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
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. | [22] |
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. | [17] |
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. | [21] |
Lúpulos de Hillsboro | Hillsboro Hops | Class A Short Season | Northwest League | 2018 | "Lúpulos" is a direct translation of "Hops". | [26] |
Mal de Ojo de Durham | Durham Bulls | Triple-A | International League | 2019 | ||
Música de Memphis | Memphis Redbirds | Triple-A | Pacific Coast League | 2018–2019 | ||
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 | ||
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". | [18][19] |
Notes
- Down East competed as the "Patos Joyuyos de Down East" in 2019
- Lake Elsinore competed as the "Lake Elsinore Storm" in 2018.[17]
- Durham competed as the "Toros de Durham" in 2017 and 2018.[18][19]
- Durham competed as the "Mal de Ojo de Durham" in 2019.
- Lehigh Valley competed as the "Lehigh Valley Tocino" in 2018.[21]
- Reading competed as the "Peleadores de Reading" in 2019.
- El Paso competed as the "El Paso Chihuahuas" in 2018.[22]
- 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.
- The San Antonio Missions competed in the Double-A Texas League in 2018.
- San Jose competed as the "San Jose Gigantes" in 2018.[25]
- Hillsboro competed as the "Lúpulos de Hillsboro" in 2018.[26]
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.
- "Bees Unveil New Abejas de Salt Lake Logos". Salt Lake Bees. Minor League Baseball. March 18, 2019. Retrieved May 21, 2019.
- "Lake Elsinore Storm Copa Branding". MiLB Copa de la Diversión. Minor League Baseball. March 20, 2018. Retrieved May 21, 2019.
- "Toros de Durham to Celebrate Hispanic Heritage Night". Durham Bulls. Minor League Baseball. July 24, 2017. Retrieved May 21, 2019.
- "Toros de Durham Copa Branding". Durham Bulls. 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.
- "Lehigh Valley Tocino Copa Branding". MiLB Copa de la Diversión. Minor League Baseball. March 20, 2018. Retrieved May 21, 2019.
- "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.
- "San Jose Gigantes Copa Branding". MiLB Copa de la Diversión. Minor League Baseball. March 20, 2018. Retrieved May 21, 2019.
- "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.