Baseball Champions League Americas to open in Mexico City on Tuesday

The Baseball Champions League Americas 2025 will open at 14:00 (local time) on Tuesday, April 8, at the Harp Helù Stadium in Mexico City when the Kane County Cougars (American Association) take on the Santa Maria Pirates (Curaçao Double-A League). Right-hander Vinny Timpanelli will start for the Cougars and face right-hander Scott Prins, who represented the Kingdom of the Netherlands in the WBSC Premier12 2024.

"Our team is really excited about being here," commented George Tsamis, the Cougars' manager, during the pre-tournament press conference. "We can't wait to get started."

The Pirates manager is truly an international star. Wladimir Balentien represented the Kingdom of the Netherlands at the 2004 Athens Olympics, the WBSC Premier12 and the World Baseball Classic 2017. He played 170 Major League Baseball (MLB) games and was a Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB) All-Star. While playing for the Tokyo Yakult Swallows, he hit 60 home runs, setting the NPB single-season record.

"It's an honour for us representing Curaçao at this level. We will give all we have to show we can compete at this level," he commented.

The hosts and Mexican Baseball League (LMB) champions, Mexico City Diablos Rojos, will play the night game at 19:30 (local time) and face the Florida Titanes, the Puerto Rico Superior Double-A Champions. WBSC Premier12 2024 bronze medallist Zach Grotz will take the mound for the Diablos Rojos, while the Titanes will hand the ball to left-hander Joshua Santiago.

"We are thrilled," commented the Diablos Rojos manager Lorenzo Bundy. "I am a baseball fan, I've always have been. The idea of facing new players, competing in a tournament like this in front of our fans, makes me emotional. We are ready to play."

"We are here to test ourselves and see where we can get at this level," added the Titanes manager, Tony Vega. "It's a privilege to be here. It's the first time that the Double-A champions compete internationally."

The Diablos Rojos and the Titanes will compete in Group A, which includes the Chinandenga Tigres, the Nicaragua Pomares League champions. Manager Sandor Guido, who led Nicaragua at the 2023 World Baseball Classic, introduced his team, stating: "It's our first international experience after 50 years of history. We want to show we can compete at this level. It will be difficult, but we will do our best to win."

The Cougars and Pirates will compete in Group B, where they will face Las Tunas, the champions of Cuba's National League (Serie Nacional). "I want to congratulate WBSC President Fraccari for this magnificent idea," commented manager Abeicy Pantoja. "We are here with just one thing in mind, one goal; competing to take the trophy back to Cuba."

"It's a pleasure to be here," said WBSC President Riccardo Fraccari. "I want to thank Horacio de la Vega and the LMB for their effort and the Diablos Rojos for hosting the event.

"This is an absolute first," Fraccari added. "A tournament for the National Champions didn't exist. Baseball needed this. It offers a great chance to give the participating clubs international visibility and more chances to raise funds."

"We are proud hosts," added Horacio de la Vega, the LMB's Executive President. "In 2023, we hosted a test event in Yucatan. With this 2025 edition, the Baseball Champions League America is shaping up."

Fraccari recalled the idea's origin: "In 2017, I was here for the World Baseball Classic. I was walking to the ballpark when I saw a restaurant crowded with people. They were all soccer fans watching the UEFA Champions League. That inspired me. As Horacio said, this is the first edition of the Baseball Champions League Americas. The Baseball Champions League Europe will start in 2026, and the Baseball Champions League Asia will follow. We are making steady steps toward the completion of the project.

"This event has a lot of potential," said Fraccari. "I'm positive it will be as successful as the Baseball World Cup because it offers some high-profile baseball. Fans can watch the league champions, and the teams can add reinforcements to have the best team possible to represent their league."

The Opening Round will go through Thursday, April 11. The first-place finisher will advance directly to Saturday's semifinals. The second and third-place teams will face each other on Friday, April 11, for the other two semifinal spots. The winners of the semifinals will compete for the title on Sunday, April 13, at 14:00 (local time).