 February 26, 2010 - Broncos promote games
By SALO OTERO
SPECIAL TO THE TIMES
Published: Friday, February 26, 2010 8:58 AM CST
The Laredo Broncos vs. Nuevo Laredo Tecolotes baseball game scheduled for March 12 at Veterans Field is more than just an exhibition between sister cities.
At least, that’s the way the Broncos painted it on Thursday at the Noon Optimist Club luncheon, as general manager Jose Melendez and manager Dan Firova spoke to club members, guests and the Dos Laredos media at the International Bank of Commerce downtown.
The game is part of a two-game series matching the two minor league clubs.
The teams also play on March 13 at Nuevo Laredo’s La Junta Park.
One dollar from every ticket sold on March 12 will be donated to the South Texas Food Bank and Pink to Do breast cancer awareness organization.
The food bank serves 21,000 families per month, including 6,500 elderly and 6,000-plus children.
“We want to fill the stands for these charities,“ Melendez told the group.
He added, thanking game organizer Jose Luis Maldonado, “We invite the whole community to support us and we want to make this an annual event.
The Broncos and Tecos can co-exist.”
Maldonado noted, “We’ve sold 400 tickets already.”
Tickets are $7 reserved and $5 general admission.
They are on sale at the Broncos office at Veterans Field, Monday through Friday 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. and at the Pink to Do office at Narvaez Flowers, 1620 San Bernardo Ave.
Maldonado, who urged the city’s support of the Broncos in their quest to be tenants at the new proposed stadium near the Laredo Entertainment Center, said both Broncos-Tecos games will be fan and kid friendly.
He announced that 50 caps, 50 shirts, 25 bats and 100 autographed baseballs will be given away during the games.
“I remember as a kid going to a game and to get a baseball was very difficult but exciting when you got one, let alone getting a cap, shirt or a bat,” he said.
Firova, native of Refugio but Laredo resident since the 1980s when he played for the Tecos, said, “I know Jose and I want a winning team and we want to win this game.
“I feel we haven’t started the season yet and my job is already on the line.”
Firova, ex-big league catcher with the Mariners and Indians in the late 1980s, has his first managerial job in the United States.
“It’s good to be home,” he said. “I’m happy and excited for the opportunity.
I don’t know much about the league and the players, but our three goals are to have a winning team, make the playoffs and win a championship.”
The Broncos’ 88-game season in the United League Baseball starts May 27.
Spring camp opens May 15.
(Salo Otero is director of development for the South Texas Food Bank) |
