DAY TRIP Mexicali

Mexicali, the little known border city about 100 miles east of San Diego, is the capital of the State of Baja California, Mexico, and the home to a number of tourist attractions. It was founded March 14, 1903, and due to its placement near the Colorado river, was able to flourish. Its population quickly grew as it became the center of the peninsula.

Due to its eastern location, it doesn’t have the popularity of other border cities, like Tijuana.

Yet this location also allows it to be less crowded and easier to get to. The area offers a number of attractions, including golfing, fishing, and numerous hunting opportunities. The most appealing reason to visit Mexicali, for some, may be what it offers in the fall and winter that California can’t — baseball.

ADMISSION

While it is difficult to find an exact price of a baseball game there, www.baseballparks.com reports that tickets for good seats were $4. All things baseball are cheap, including the food and souvenirs at the park. Also, the stadium accepts American dollars, according to baseballparks.com.

GETTING THERE

Start by taking the I-5 south toward San Diego and continue until exiting on the I-805 south. Exit the I-8 east and continue until the 118A exit and merge onto the CA-111 south toward Calexico. Just past the border is Mexicali.

Once in Mexicali, the CA-111 will become the Calz Adolto Lopez Mateos. To get to the baseball field, follow Mateos to Calz Independencia and turn left. Turn left at Calz Justo Sierra and right at Calzada Cuauhtemoc and the field is on the right.

BASEBALL

Sad that the baseball season is over? Don’t fret. Mexicali has a baseball team right across the border called Aguilas de Mexicali, or the Mexicali Eagles.

Winter ball is a longtime Latin American past time that many players venture to during the off season. Mexicali hosts its team from October to January within the Mexican Pacific League in the “Eagle’s Nest,” the team’s stadium.

The team features Carlos Sievers, who leads the league in home runs, Padres pitching prospect Jared Wells, Rangers prospect outfielder Brandon Boggs and former Durham Bull pitcher Brian Stokes.

FERNANDO MANIA

Not only does Mexicali boast a professional baseball team, but it also features Dodger great Fernando Valenzuela. He is getting up there in years, 48 in January, but still pitches with the Eagles, tracing back to his roots when he started pitching for the Guanajuato Tuzos of the Mexican Central League. As of Nov. 12 he had an ERA of 8.10 in 6 and 2/3 innings of work.

VISITOR WARNINGS

When visiting Mexico there are a few tips that every patron should be aware of if they want to make their visit fun, and more importantly, healthy.

Don’t drink tap water or water from fountains. Preferably, bring your own water, but try to only drink bottled water from a reliable source.

Also, when eating at the ballpark, or other venues, avoid foods that could cause indigestion there, such as seafood. On the same note, try to only eat food you can watch be prepared.

— Daniel Tedford