Estimated read time: 4-5 minutes
SALT LAKE CITY — Edgar González has fond memories of playing at Smith's Ballpark, arriving multiple times through various stints with different Pacific Coast League teams.
"This was one of my favorite cities," said the former major leaguer and current Fox Sports analyst, pointing to the mountain backdrop behind him. "And the people here. It's always a really nice city — just really friendly."
So when he heard Salt Lake City was perhaps next in line to land a Major League Baseball team last year, he decided to make some calls about another baseball opportunity for Utah's capital.
All of this led to what may very well be the last ballgames ever played at Smith's Ballpark.
Miller Sports + Entertainment and Salt Lake City announced the creation of "Béisbol en Salt Lake," a two-day "baseball fiesta" that will bring in two teams from Liga ARCO Mexicana del Pacífico, otherwise known as the Mexican Pacific League, to Smith's Ballpark in October.
The event will feature two exhibition games between Los Venados de Mazatlán and Los Charros de Jalisco on Oct. 5-6, but it will also include other events like a postgame drone show after the first game and a postgame concert after the second. Gates will open early before both games for additional live music, vendors and food, as well.
Players for both teams will also participate in a baseball clinic for local youth players.
"This is going to be celebrating in a totally different way, but it's about embracing our diversity as a state," said Sen. Luz Escamilla, D-Salt Lake City, who also played a role in the event coming together. "It reflects baseball well (and how) it brings people together in America and in the world."
Tuesday's announcement was a little more than a year in the making. Not long after Big League Utah announced its intention to bring a possible MLB expansion team to Salt Lake City last year, González got ahold of Escamilla as both of them grew up in the same part of Mexico.
González — also a former member of the Mexican national team — suggested to her that Utah should host Liga ARCO Mexicana del Pacífico games, given its growing Latin culture and baseball history. Escamilla, league owners and other entities were quickly supportive.
"Sports — and particularly baseball — are more than just games. They are powerful tools that bring people together," said Eduardo Baca, consul general of the Mexican Consulate in Salt Lake City.
Escamilla then brought the idea to Miller Sports + Entertainment executives — parent owner of the Salt Lake Bees — who were immediately on board. After months of planning, they determined early October was the best time for everyone, which was perfect because it falls during National Hispanic Heritage Month.
There was just one tiny problem. Miller's lease with Salt Lake City to play games at Smith's Ballpark expires on Sept. 30 before the Bees relocate to a new ballpark in South Jordan's Daybreak community. It ended about a week before any Liga ARCO Mexicana del Pacífico clubs could field any teams.
So Escamilla and Miller leaders approached Salt Lake City leaders for a special exemption. Salt Lake City Councilwoman Victoria Petro said she loved the idea personally based on what the game of baseball meant for her parents when they immigrated to the U.S. and professionally because it could be a "last hurrah" for Smith's Ballpark.
The city is still piecing together a plan for what to do next with the stadium after the Bees move out, but its future remains unclear.
"This feels like a really great way to send it off, should it be the last baseball event," Petro said. "It's doing what baseball does best: building community and allowing us to share space and fun together."
Individual game and weekend pass tickets went on sale Tuesday. They start at $15.
González said he hopes that the weekend will bring the Salt Lake City community together, but he also hopes the series ends up becoming the perfect send-off for the ballpark he enjoyed visiting as a player.
"It's a perfect way for the stadium to leave on top, to leave in a good way," he said. "It's going to be awesome."
