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/Latino communities.^[1] Teams adopt a culturally-relevant on-field persona for certain games each season.^[2]

Copa de la Diversión logo

A 2019 Copa game between the Margaritas de El Paso (yellow) and Cazadores de Tormentas de Omaha (green)

History

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 monikers 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]

The 2020 minor league season was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.^[16] Following the 2020 season, Major League Baseball assumed control of Minor League Baseball in a move to increase player salaries, modernize facility standards, and reduce travel.^[17] This reorganization and elimination of some teams reduced Copa participants to 76 clubs in 2021.^[18] Following the 2021 season, the Worcester Red Sox, who played Copa games as "Los Wepas de Worcester", were awarded the Fun Cup trophy.^[19]

In 2022, participation grew to 85 teams.^[20]

Participating teams

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".	^[21]
Alces de Maine	Portland Sea Dogs	Double-A	Eastern League	2020	moose
Alebrijes de Modesto	Modesto Nuts	Class A	California League	2019	alebrijes
Ardillas Voladoras de Richmond	Richmond Flying Squirrels	Double-A	Eastern League	2019	flying squirrels
Avocados Luchadores de Down East^[a]	Down East Wood Ducks	Class A	Carolina League	2020	fighting avocados (of Down East)
Bandidos del Río de las Ciudades Cuádruples	Quad Cities River Bandits	High-A	Midwest League	2022	river bandits of the quadruple cities (Quad Cities)
Boise Papas Fritas	Boise Hawks	independent baseball league	Pioneer League	2020	French fries
Bólidos de Bowling Green	Bowling Green Hot Rods	High-A	South Atlantic League	2020	racing cars
Bradenton Barbanegras	Bradenton Marauders	Class A	Florida State League	2019	blackbeards
Brooklyn Jefes	Brooklyn Cyclones	High-A	South Atlantic League	2018	bosses
Caballeros de Charlotte	Charlotte Knights	Triple-A	International League	2017	gentlemen
Caballos de Stockton	Stockton Ports	Class A	California League	2018	horses
Cabritos Maldichos de South Bend	South Bend Cubs	High-A	Midwest League	2020	refers to the Curse of the Billy Goat	^[22]
Calaveras de West Michigan	West Michigan Whitecaps	High-A	Midwest League	2019	skulls
Cangrejos Fantasmas de Chesapeake	Bowie Baysox	Double-A	Eastern League	2018	ghost crabs
Cardenales de Springfield	Springfield Cardinals	Double-A	Texas League	2020	cardinals (the bird)
Cascabeles de Wisconsin	Wisconsin Timber Rattlers	High-A	Midwest League	2019	rattlers
Cazadores de Tormentas de Omaha	Omaha Storm Chasers	Triple-A	International League	2018	storm chasers
Cervezas de Durham^[b]^[c]	Durham Bulls	Triple-A	International League	2020	beers
Chicharrones de Columbia	Columbia Fireflies	Class A	Carolina League	2019	chicharrones
Chivos de Hartford	Hartford Yard Goats	Double-A	Eastern League	2018	goats
Chupacabras de Round Rock	Round Rock Express	Triple-A	Pacific Coast League	2018	chupacabras
Churros de San José^[d]	San Jose Giants	Class A	California League	2019	churros
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.	^[26]
Cocos Locos de Rochester	Rochester Red Wings	Triple-A	International League	2020	crazy coconuts
Cóndores de Binghampton	Binghamton Rumble Ponies	Double-A	Eastern League	2023	condors
Dulces de Sugar Land	Sugar Land Space Cowboys	Triple-A	Pacific Coast League	2023	sweets
Congueros de Syracuse	Syracuse Mets	Triple-A	International League	2022	A conguero is one who plays the conga drum, an instrument played throughout Latin countries but originating in Cuba.^[27]
Conquistadores de Everett	Everett AquaSox	High-A	Northwest League	2018	conquerors
Corpus Christi Cumbias^[e]	Corpus Christi Hooks	Double-A	Texas League	2022	cumbias
Coquís de Lehigh Valley^[f]	Lehigh Valley IronPigs	Triple-A	International League	2019	coquís
Cucuys de San Bernardino	Inland Empire 66ers	Class A	California League	2018	"boogeymen" (see coco)
Demonios de Des Moines	Iowa Cubs	Triple-A	International League	2019	demons
Diamantes de Arkansas	Arkansas Travelers	Double-A	Texas League	2019	diamonds
Dorados de Sacramento	Sacramento River Cats	Triple-A	Pacific Coast League	2018	goldens (the color not the fish)
Familia de Tacoma	Tacoma Rainiers	Triple-A	Pacific Coast League	2019	family
Fenómenos Enmascarados del Valle de Hudson	Hudson Valley Renegades	High-A	South Atlantic League	2020	masked phenoms
Flying Chanclas de San Antonio	San Antonio Missions	Double-A	Texas League	2018	flying flip-flops (see flip-flops in popular culture)
Fundadores de Fredericksburg	Fredericksburg Nationals	Single-A	Carolina League	2023	founders
Gallos de Delmarva	Delmarva Shorebirds	Class A	Carolina League	2019	roosters (of Delmarva)
Gatos Feroces de New Hampshire	New Hampshire Fisher Cats	Double-A	Eastern League	2019	ferocious cats
Granos de Cedar Rapids	Cedar Rapid Kernels	High-A	Midwest League	2023	kernels
Guerreros de Fayetteville	Fayetteville Woodpeckers	Class A	Carolina League	2020	warriors
Llamas de Hickory	Hickory Crawdads	High-A	South Atlantic League	2019	llamas
Lecheros de Milwaukee	Milwaukee Milkmen	independent baseball league	American Association of Professional Baseball		milkmen
Lehigh Valley Mamajuana	Lehigh Valley IronPigs	Triple-A	International League	2023	mama juana (or mamajuana)
Limonadas de Hill City	Lynchburg Hillcats	Single-A	Carolina League	2023	lemonades
Lloronas de Montaña Rocosa	Rocky Mountain Vibes	independent baseball league	Pioneer League	2020	Rocky Mountain weepers (see La Llorona)
Locos de Lansing	Lansing Lugnuts	High-A	Midwest League	2019	crazies
Los Puentes de Tri-City	Tri-City ValleyCats	independent baseball league	Frontier League	2020	the bridges
Lowriders de Fresno	Fresno Grizzlies	Class A	California League	2019	lowriders
Luchadores de Reading^[g]	Reading Fightin Phils	Double-A	Eastern League	2020	fighters
Lunaticos de Rocket City	Rocket City Trash Pandas	Double-A	Southern League	2020	lunatics
Margaritas de El Paso^[h]	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.	^[30]
Mariachis de Nuevo México	Albuquerque Isotopes	Triple-A	Pacific Coast League	2018	mariachis of New Mexico
Matamoscas de Midessa	Midland RockHounds	Double-A	Texas League	2019	fly-swatters (of Midland-Odessa)
Medusas de Jersey Shore^[i]	Jersey Shore BlueClaws^[j]	High-A	South Atlantic League	2021	jellyfish
Micheladas de Reno	Reno Aces	Triple-A	Pacific Coast League	2023	micheladas
Monarcas de Eugene	Eugene Emeralds	High-A	Northwest League	2018	monarchs (the butterfly)
Montañas de Chattanooga	Chattanooga Lookouts	Double-A	Southern League	2019	mountains
Murciélagos de Louisville	Louisville Bats	Triple-A	International League	2019	bats (the animal)
Música de Memphis^[k]	Memphis Redbirds	Triple-A	International League	2018	music
Naturales del Noroeste de Arkansas	Northwest Arkansas Naturals	Double-A	Texas League	2020	naturals
Ocelotes de Greensboro	Greensboro Grasshoppers	High-A	South Atlantic League	2019	ocelots
Oso Pardo de Gateway	Gateway Grizzlies	independent baseball league	Frontier League		grizzly (bear)
Pajaritos de Norfolk	Norfolk Tides	Triple-A	International League	2019	birdies
Paletas de Beloit	Beloit Sky Carp	High-A	Midwest League	2023	popsicles (see paletas)
Pavos Salvajes de Augusta	Augusta GreenJackets	Single-A	Carolina League	2023	wild turkeys
Pelícanos de Myrtle Beach	Myrtle Beach Pelicans	Class A	Carolina League	2019	pelicans
Pensacola Pok-Ta-Pok	Pensacola Blue Wahoos	Double-A	Southern League	2023	see pok-ta-pok
Peoria en el Río	Peoria Chiefs	High-A	Midwest League	2020	"on the river" (refers to annual festival of the same name)
Pepinillos Picantes del Norte	Great Lakes Loons	High-A	Midwest League	2022	spicy pickles
Perros Calientes de Akron	Akron RubberDucks	Double-A	Eastern League	2021	hot dogs
Perros Santos de Charleston	Charleston RiverDogs	Class A	Carolina League	2019	holy dogs
Pescados de Carolina	Carolina Mudcats	Class A	Carolina League	2019	fish
Picantes de Lake County	Lake County Captains	High-A	Midwest League	2019	spicies
Piñatas de Erie	Erie SeaWolves	Double-A	Eastern League	2019	piñatas
Playeros de Harrisburg	Harrisburg Senators	Double-A	Eastern League	2020	beachmen
Pointy Boots de Amarillo	Amarillo Sod Poodles	Double-A	Texas League	2020	see pointy boots
Los Quesos de Frisco	Frisco RoughRiders	Double-A	Texas League	2022	the cheeses
Ranas de Rio^[l]	Greenville Drive	High-A	South Atlantic League	2021	river frogs
Rápidos de Kannapolis	Kannapolis Cannon Ballers^[m]	Class A	Carolina League	2018	rapids
Reyes de Plata de Las Vegas	Las Vegas Aviators^[n]	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.	^[31]
Rumberos de Daytona	Daytona Tortugas	Single-A	Florida State League	2023	partygoers (see also rumba)
Salsa de Winston-Salem^[o]	Winston-Salem Dash	High-A	South Atlantic League	2018	salsa (the sauce not the music)
San Bernardos de Salem	Salem Red Sox	Class A	Carolina League	2019	St. Bernards (dog)
Santos de San Pablo	St. Paul Saints	Triple-A	International League	2022	saints of St. Paul
Soñadores de Hillsboro^[p]	Hillsboro Hops	High-A	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.	^[33]
Temblores de Rancho Cucamonga	Rancho Cucamonga Quakes	Class A	California League	2018	earthquakes
Toros Bravos de Durham	Durham Bulls	Triple-A	International League	2023	brave bulls (or fighting bulls)
Toros de Visalia	Visalia Rawhide	Class A	California League	2017	bulls
Tumba Vacas de Wichita	Wichita Wind Surge	Double-A	Texas League	2022	grave cows
Vejigantes de Scranton/Wilkes-Barre	Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders	Triple-A	International League	2019	vejigantes
Veleros de Columbus	Columbus Clippers	Triple-A	International League	2019	sailboats
Vihuelas de Nashville	Nashville Sounds	Triple-A	International League	2019^[q]	The vihuela, a high-pitched Mexican guitar popular with Mariachi groups, reflected Nashville's musical heritage.	^[34]
Viñeros de Tri-City	Tri-City Dust Devils	High-A	Northwest League	2019	vineyard workers
Los Wepas de Worcester	Worcester Red Sox	Triple-A	International League	2021	"¡Wepa!" is a Puerto Rican slang term used to express excitement, similar to saying "Woo-hoo!"	^[35]
Xolos de Gwinnett	Gwinnett Stripers	Triple-A	International League	2019	xolos (as in Xoloitzcuintle)
Yacumamas de Asheville	Asheville Tourists	High-A	South Atlantic League	2020	see yacumama
Zorros de Somerset	Somerset Patriots	Double-A	Eastern League	2022	foxes

Former identities

Copa name	Official name	Class	League	Season(s)	Notes	Ref(s).
Cadejos de Lake Elsinore	Lake Elsinore Storm	Class A-Advanced	California League	2019–2020	see cadejos
Campesinos de Salem-Keizer	Salem-Keizer Volcanoes	Class A Short Season	Northwest League	2020	farmers
Carnívoros de Ogden	Ogden Raptors	Rookie	Pioneer League	2020	carnivores
Cervezas de Durham	Durham Bulls	Triple-A	International League	2020	beers
Cinco Estaciones de Cedar Rapids	Cedar Rapid Kernels	High-A	Midwest League	2020	five seasons
Clinton Elotes	Clinton LumberKings	Class A	Midwest League	2019–2020	cobs (as in corn) -- see elote
Coquís de Florida	Florida Fire Frogs	Class A-Advanced	Florida State League	2019–2020	coquís
Coquís de Lehigh Valley	Lehigh Valley IronPigs	Triple-A	International League	2019	coquís
Corazones de Reno	Reno Aces	Triple-A	Pacific Coast League	2019	hearts
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.	^[29]
Energía de Greenville	Greenville Drive	Class A	South Atlantic League	2018–2020	energy
Frijoles Saltarines de Puerto Carlota	Charlotte Stone Crabs	Class A-Advanced	Florida State League	2020	jumping beans of Port Charlotte
Kane County Cougars	Kane County Cougars	Class A	Midwest League	2017–2020	cougars
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.	^[36]
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.	^[28]
Leyendas de Lexington	Lexington Legends	Class A	South Atlantic League	2019–2020	legends
Lúpulos de Hillsboro	Hillsboro Hops	Class A Short Season	Northwest League	2018	"Lúpulos" is a direct translation of "Hops".	^[32]
Madres de Idaho Falls	Idaho Falls Chukars	Rookie	Pioneer League	2020	mothers
Mal de Ojo de Durham	Durham Bulls	Triple-A	International League	2019	the evil eye -- see evil eye
Manzanas Luchadores de Fort Wayne	Fort Wayne TinCaps	Class A	Midwest League	2020	fighting apples
Molinos de Burlington	Burlington Royals	Rookie	Appalachian League	2020	grinders (or mills)
Osos Polares de Pawtucket	Pawtucket Red Sox	Triple-A	International League	2019–2020	polar bears
Patos Joyuyos de Down East	Down East Wood Ducks	Class A-Advanced	Carolina League	2019	jeweled ducks
Peleadores de Reading	Reading Fightin Phils	Double-A	Eastern League	2019	fighters (or brawlers)
Petroleros de Tulsa	Tulsa Drillers	Double-A	Texas League	2018–2019	oilmen
Raspas de Corpus Christi	Corpus Christi Hooks	Double-A	Texas League	2018–2021	scrapers (refers to shaved ice)
Rayados de Winston-Salem	Winston-Salem Dash	High-A	South Atlantic League	2018–2021	the striped ones
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".	^[23]^[24]
Tortugas de Daytona	Daytona Tortugas	Class A	Florida State League	2018	turtles
Trueno de Trenton	Trenton Thunder	Double-A	Eastern League	2019–2020	thunder
Viento de Lancaster	Lancaster JetHawks	Class A-Advanced	California League	2019–2020	wind

Notes

1. Down East competed as the "Patos Joyuyos de Down East" in 2019
2. Durham competed as the "Toros de Durham" in 2017 and 2018.^[23][24]
3. Durham competed as the "Mal de Ojo de Durham" in 2019.
4. San Jose competed as the "San Jose Gigantes" in 2018.^[25]
5. Corpus Christi competed as the "Raspas de Corpus Christi" from 2018 to 2021.
6. Lehigh Valley competed as the "Lehigh Valley Tocino" in 2018.^[28]
7. Reading competed as the "Peleadores de Reading" in 2019.
8. El Paso competed as the "El Paso Chihuahuas" in 2018.^[29]
9. Jersey Shore competed as the "Medusas de Lakewood" from 2019 to 2020.
10. The Jersey Shore BlueClaws were known as the Lakewood BlueClaws from 2019 to 2020.
11. Memphis did not participate from 2020 to 2021.
12. Greenville competed as the "Energía de Greenville" from 2018 to 2020.
13. The Kannapolis Cannon Ballers were known as the Kannapolis Intimidators in 2018 and 2019.
14. The Las Vegas Aviators were known as the Las Vegas 51s in 2017 and 2018.
15. Winton-Salem competed as the "Rayados de Winston-Salem" form 2018 to 2021.
16. Hillsboro competed as the "Lúpulos de Hillsboro" in 2018.^[32]
17. Nashville did not participate in 2021.

References

1. "Minor League Baseball reveals full schedule of games and date of Unveiling Day for 2019 Copa de la Diversión". MiLB.com. February 18, 2019.
2. "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.
3. "MiLB launches Hispanic-focused initiative 'Es Divertido Ser Un Fan'". MiLB.com. July 24, 2017.
4. "51s debut special 'Reyes de Plata' uniforms during Tuesday's game". Las Vegas Review Journal. August 2, 2017.
5. "The Charlotte Knights Are About To Change Their Name To The Charlotte Caballeros". charlottestories.com. July 25, 2017.
6. "Rawhide change name to Toros for Latino heritage event". Visalia Times Delta. July 24, 2017.
7. "Minor League Baseball To Have 'Copa De La Diversión' In Effort To Reach Latino Communities". Forbes. March 20, 2018.
8. "Minor League Baseball Announces 2019 Copa de la Diversión". La Vida Baseball. March 18, 2019.
9. "How the numbers stacked up for Mariachi nights at Isotopes Park". bizjournals.com. August 21, 2018.
10. "2019 Copa de la Diversión Identities Unveiled". Ballpark Digest. March 18, 2019.
11. "Copa de la Diversión 2019: Same Team, New Identity". Ben's Biz. March 21, 2019.
12. "Copa Ready to Reach Higher in Third Season". MiLB.com. November 14, 2019. Retrieved November 14, 2019.
13. "MiLB unveils Copa de la Diversion logos: Part 2". sportslogos.net. March 18, 2019.
14. "Las Vegas Reyes de Plata Copa Branding". milbcopa.mlblogs.com. March 20, 2018.
15. "Big on the Pig: Why the Columbia Fireflies Will Become the Chicharrones For Several Games". Post and Courier: Free Times. March 21, 2019.
16. "2020 Minor League Baseball Season Shelved". Minor League Baseball. June 30, 2020. Retrieved July 1, 2020.
17. Mayo, Jonathan (February 12, 2021). "MLB Announces New Minors Teams, Leagues". Major League Baseball. Retrieved February 12, 2021.
18. Mann, Tyler (April 19, 2021). "Copa de la Diversión Back With a Bang in 2021". Minor League Baseball. Retrieved April 19, 2021.
19. Heneghan, Kelsie (December 7, 2021). "Wepa! WooSox Win Copa de la Diversión". Minor League Baseball. Retrieved December 13, 2021.
20. "Copa Brings Celebration to Even More Communities". Minor League Baseball. March 31, 2022. Retrieved June 28, 2022.
21. "Bees Unveil New Abejas de Salt Lake Logos". Salt Lake Bees. Minor League Baseball. March 18, 2019. Retrieved May 21, 2019.
22. "Los Cabritos Maldichos | South Bend".
23. "Toros de Durham to Celebrate Hispanic Heritage Night". Durham Bulls. Minor League Baseball. July 24, 2017. Retrieved May 21, 2019.
24. "Toros de Durham Copa Branding". Durham Bulls. Minor League Baseball. March 20, 2018. Retrieved May 21, 2019.
25. "San Jose Gigantes Copa Branding". MiLB Copa de la Diversión. Minor League Baseball. March 20, 2018. Retrieved May 21, 2019.
26. "Cielo Azul de Oklahoma City play inaugural game at Bricktown". okcfox.com. May 31, 2018. Retrieved May 22, 2019.
27. "Syracuse Mets to Become Congueros de Syracuse for Copa de la Diversión Series". Minor League Baseball. March 31, 2022. Retrieved May 5, 2022.
28. "Lehigh Valley Tocino Copa Branding". MiLB Copa de la Diversión. Minor League Baseball. March 20, 2018. Retrieved May 21, 2019.
29. "El Paso Chihuahuas Copa Branding". Durham Bulls. Minor League Baseball. March 20, 2018. Retrieved May 21, 2019.
30. "The Man Who Invented the Margarita". Texas Monthly. October 1974. Retrieved May 22, 2019.
31. 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.
32. "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.
33. "Hillsboro Hops Will Become 'Dreamers' for Four Games This Season". OregonLive. March 18, 2019. Retrieved May 21, 2019.
34. "Copa Nashville". Nashville Sounds. Minor League Baseball. March 18, 2019. Retrieved March 18, 2019.
35. Caputo, Paul (April 18, 2021). "Woosox Likely to Play As Los Wepas de Worcester in Copa Games". Sports Logos. Retrieved April 19, 2021.
36. "Lake Elsinore Storm Copa Branding". MiLB Copa de la Diversión. Minor League Baseball. March 20, 2018. Retrieved May 21, 2019.

External links

• Official website