Padres: El Paso Chihuahuas set to participate in Copa de la Diversión in 2021

Minor League Baseball is back in 2021, and this year brings with it the return of Copa de la Diversión, the initiative to celebrate Hispanic communities across the game. Entering its fifth year, the “Fun Cup” will bring together 76 minor league teams, opening new and immersive experiences for communities of fans.

One of those 76 teams will be the El Paso Chihuahua’s, the Triple-A affiliate for the San Diego Padres. The Chihuahua’s have now participated in the initiative each year, dating back to its inauguration in 2017. They will don the blue and green wave of color as the Margaritas de El Paso.

Padres: Margaritas and baseball for everyone

It sounds funny that the fun party drink would be the chosen moniker for the minor league team from El Paso. However, there is cultural relevance and history to the connection. In the case of El Paso, the origin goes back to 1942.

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Everyone loves margaritas. They represent a neighborhood feel among groups and people. For the Chihuahua’s to embrace themselves as the Margaritas de El Paso also embraces the depth of passion for their city and baseball. There aren’t two things more festive than margaritas and baseball.

Minor League Baseball may be the most family-friendly environment of all sports. Teams will go all out to provide affordable, fun entertainment to bring fans together on a warm summer night. The festive nature beginning with the logos and uniforms to in-game contests and fireworks on a nightly basis, the return of the Copa de la Diversión will bring with it a vibrant culture to add to the excitement.

In a piece from Tyler Maun, a premier source for all things MiLB, the importance of the initiative was discussed. The Vice President of Operations for MiLB Kurt Hunzeker shared his thoughts on the return of the Copa de la Diversión this season.

"“Sports have a unique and powerful ability to bring diverse communities together. You’re at a ballgame, and you can sit next to people, front, behind, left, right, they can be wildly different from you in every way, politically, socioeconomic, demographic. And yet in San Antonio when I was there, Fernando Tatis Jr. hits a home run, you’re high-fiving everyone around you.”"

92 teams were scheduled to participate in the “Fun Cup” in 2020 before the pandemic shut those plans down. Because of Minor League Baseball’s movement in restructuring their leagues, the number will not reach those heights. However, because more teams are participating this year compared to the number of teams that were ultimately dropped, it will constitute a better turnout in 2021.

The Padres have a fostered relationship with Latin American-born players. They represent a rich culture in their own right of baseball and its long-fostered relationship to their home countries. In attempting to grow the game worldwide, the Copa de la Diversión can help the game grow and continue bringing people together. It will be a fun summer full of margaritas and baseball, Padres fans.