Mexico trip scheduled for Arizona Diamondbacks’ spring training
Jan 22, 2015, 11:34 PM | Updated: 11:34 pm
The Arizona Diamondbacks are no strangers to playing outside of the country. They began last season in Australia and have added another international game to this season’s schedule.
The D-backs and the Colorado Rockies announced Thursday they will host a split-squad exhibition game at Estadio Sonora in Hermosillo, Mexico on March 29. The other matchup on that day will be against Rockies at Salt River Fields at Talking Stick.
Hermosillo is almost a home away from home for the D-backs, as they have played exhibition games there on nine separate occasions in the last 20 years.
“We have a rich history of playing games in Hermosillo and continuing that tradition is something that is extremely important to our franchise, so we are very excited to return there this spring,” said Derrick Hall, D-backs president and CEO, who also sits on Major League Baseball’s International Committee. “We know that there are many D-backs fans in Mexico who enjoy this opportunity to see their favorite team up close, and we are looking forward to a great game against the Rockies.”
The D-backs led a contingent of representatives from the Arizona-Mexico Commission on a goodwill trip to Hermosillo in November. Arizona has hosted Mexican League teams three times in addition to hosting the World Baseball Classic at Chase Field in 2006 and 2013.
Estadio Sonora is the home of the Hermosillo Naranjeros and has similar features to the D-backs Scottsdale spring training facility. The franchise consulted on the planning and construction of the ballpark, which opened in 2013.
The D-backs open their spring training slate of games on March 3 against the Arizona State University Sun Devils. Pitchers and catchers report on February 19.
