Leones' Season to Begin Despite Financial Questions

Juan Jose and Erick Arellano Hernandez

JUAN JOSE AND ERICK ARELLANO HERNANDEZ UNDER SUSPICION

The financial troubles of brothers Juan Jose and Erick Arellano Hernandez do not appear to have had an impact on either the Leones de Yucatan or the Vaqueros Union Laguna as the two teams owned by the brothers prepare for the 2017 season of the Liga Mexicana de Beisbol.

Grupo ArHe, owned and operated by the brothers purchased the Leones in 2014 and a controlling interest in the Vaqueros following the 2016 season.

Grupo ArHe had their assets frozen in 2015 and then again in March of 2016 by the Commission National Banking and Securities (CNBV) at the request of the Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU) of the Ministry of Finance and Public Credit (SHCP) on suspicion of money laundering.

Although the FIU has reportedly not discovered any link to money laundering by the Hernandez brothers or Grupo ArHe, there has been no indication that funds have been in frozen.

Grupo ArHe is a very large entity, based in Mazatlán and run by the Hernandez brothers, has a wide range of business divisions. Their consulting division, UPC has 6 offices in Mexico and an office in San Diego, California. The financial sector is home to CL Capital. In sports, The Grupo owns the Leones and the Vaqueros of the LMB.

The group's automotive branch owns Alamo Car Rental in Mexico (thus the Parque Kukulcan - Alamo). Another Grupo ArHe is Grupo Immobiliario Arellano the real estate and construction arm of the company. They also own 5 Pemex gas stations with the "Hit" brand of convenience stores.

In other news related to the LMB, the league has announced that drug testing of ball players before, during and after the 2017 season will be  conducted by the Havana Anti Doping Laboratory in Havana, Cuba.

Havana Anti Doping Laboraty

Previously, testing was conducted by CONADE, the Comision Nacional de Cultura Fisica y Deporte here in Mexico. The World Anti Doping Agency (WADA) suspended the laboratory in November of 2016 for its mishandling and false positive reading on a sample by Olympian Paola Pliego that caused him to miss the 2016 Olympics in Rio.

The LMB had this to say about the new facility in Cuba. "The Havana Anti Doping Laboratory has high resolution, double quadruple equipment as well as isotope ratios (IRMS) for sample testing" They further stated "We have the utmost confidence in our new testing agency"

5 LMP players were given suspensions following the 2106 season for drug use including Albino Contreras of the Leones who was given a 100 game suspension for a second violation of the rules.

6 "Extranjeros" Hope to Bring the LMB Championship to Merida

NO PLAYERS ON THE ROSTER FROM THE US

Willie Romero

The Leones de Yucatan, under the 2016 Liga Mexicana de Beisbol (LMB) Manager of the Year Willie Romero’s leadership, hope to make 2017 the year the Serie del Rey returns to Merida.

Romero led the Leones to a 77-33 record in 2016. The team beat the Piratas de Campeche in the 1st round of the Zona Sur Playoffs but lost 4 games to 2 to the eventual league champion Pericos de Puebla in the division finals.

Yoanner Negrin

Leading the push for the championship this LMB season will be 6 “extranjeros” or foreign born players. Headlining this list is Yoanner Negrin, last year’s LMB Pitcher of the Year. Born in Havana Cuba, Negrin went 18-1 a year ago with 4 complete games and 3 shutouts. Negrin set a Leones record with a 38 ⅓ inning scoreless streak. Yoanner struck out 92 batters while walking just 37. A return to this form will go a long way towards the Leones’ championship hopes.

Jairo Asencio

33 year old pitcher Jairo Asencio, from the Dominican Republic, adds depth to the Leones starting rotation. Asencio has played in the “Liga Grande” (Major League Baseball) for the Atlanta Braves, Cleveland Indians, Chicago Cubs and the Baltimore Orioles.

Ronald Belisario

Ronald Belisario, the 34 year old from Maracay Venezuela compiled a 3.85 Earned Run Average (ERA) in 341 games in the big leagues for the LA Dodgers, Chicago White Sox and the Tampa Bay Rays. He also tallied 12 saves and struckout 273 batters in his career.

Jordany Valdespin

Outfielder Jordany Valdespin, hailing from San Pedro de Macoris in the Dominican republic, has played for the NY Mets and the Miami Marlins in his big league career. In 10 years as a pro, Valdespin amassed 950 hits, 79 home runs, 505 runs scored and 416 RBIs.

Yuniesky Betancourt

Yuniesky Betancourt, from Villa Clara Cuba played for the Seattle Mariners from 2006-2009, hitting .289 with 9 HRs and 67 RBIs in 2007. Traded to the KC Royals in 2009, Betancourt hit .269 with 16 home runs and 74 RBIs. Yuniesky finished his major league career in “the bigs” with 1057 hits in 1156 games with 80 HRs while driving in 457 runs. Betancourt ended his MLB career with the Milwaukee Brewers in 2013. Betancourt helped the Aguilas de Mexicali of the Liga Mexicana del Pacifico (LMP) to the league crown and a spot in the Serie Caribe where Mexico finished 2nd to a strong Puerto Rican team.

Jesus "Cacao" Valdez

This brings us to Jesus “Cacao” Valdez, possibly the most popular of the Leones extranjeros. The Dominican from San Cristobal turns 32 this year. In his 1st season in Merida, Valdez won the LMB batting title with a .353 average. He also won the winter league Liga Mexicana del Pacifico’s batting crown in 2015-16 with a .347 average. Cacao began his MLB career in 2003 with the Chicago Cubs. He was in the Cub’s organization until 2007. In 2012 Valdez played in for the Washington Nationals where he hit .263 with 6 home runs and 31 RBIs for the Nationals Triple A affiliate. Cacao took his game worldwide when he played for the Shinano Grandseros of the Japanese major league.

The Leones said goodbye to a very popular extranjero from the 2016 tem...Corey “The Flow” Wimberly.

In 139 games over two years, Wimberly had 174 hits, 40 for extra bases, 129 runs scored and 44 stolen bases. Corey was exciting to watch and contributed mightily to the success of the 2016 season.

If one is interested in the mundane aspect of baseball, such as salaries, the LMB rules for player salaries states that non-US extranjeros be payed a maximum of 150,000 pesos, paid in moneda nacional per month.

The outlook for a repeat of the 2016 season for the Leones is very good. The defending champion Pericos de Puebla should be strong although their manager from a year ago, Cory Snyder, has departed to manage in the Taiwanese Professional League. His replacement, Von Hayes, fired after 25 games from the Pericos in 2015, will have a solid core of players. The Piratas de Campeche are still a couple of players away from the top although they will contend throughout the year and, as always, the Tigres de Quintana Roo will pose a threat to the Leones’ aspirations.

My prediction is that the Leones will finish 75-36, advance to the LMB finals and bring the league trophy back to Merida.       

La Asamblea de Presidentes de LMB en la Reunión Final

SE ENCUENTRAN LAS FECHAS ANTES DEL COMIENZO DE LA TEMPORADA DE LMB DE 2017

La Asamblea de Presidentes

La Asamblea de Presidentes del 16 equipo Liga Mexicana de Beisbol (LMB) se reunió el 24 de febrero para ocuparse de los temas finales de la agenda para la temporada 2017.

La aprobación de la venta de los Tigres de Quintana Roo fue el primer y más anticipado tema de la agenda. La liga aprobó la venta de los Tigres al icono de béisbol mexicano Fernando Valenzuela. Valenzuela será el Presidente del Consejo de Administración, el Presidente Ejecutivo, el Presidente Ejecutivo Adjunto y el Director General del equipo. No hubo mención del precio de venta en el anuncio, pero el costo se ha estimado en 50 millones de pesos.

Nuevo propietario de la Tigres

La asamblea también aprobó la venta de los Broncos de Reynosa a Arturo Blanco quien será el Presidente del Consejo de Administración de los Bravos de León. El Sr. Mauricio Martínez fue nombrado Presidente Ejecutivo de los Bravos.

También se aprobó la venta del 50% de los Sultanes de Monterrey al Grupo Multimedia. Como no había una lista de propietarios del otro 50% de los Sultanes, sólo se puede suponer que al menos un 1% de los socios restantes votaría con Grupo Multimedia para evitar conflictos en las decisiones de gestión. Adicionalmente, la asamblea aprobó la venta de los Acereros de Monclova a LIC. Gerardo Benavides Pape.

Pilino Escalante

De acuerdo con los deseos de Minor League Baseball (MiLB), la organización que sanciona al LMB, los presidentes de la liga aprobaron por unanimidad el regreso de Pilino Escalante al cargo de Presidente del LMB. Escalante había sido destituido por la mayoría de los dueños del equipo en diciembre.

La asamblea también estuvo de acuerdo con la decisión de Pat O. Connor, Presidente de la MiLB, de que no habría límites en el número de jugadores de doble nacionalidad en cualquier equipo. Esos jugadores de doble nacionalidad son mexicanos nacidos en el extranjero.

El uso de la repetición se aprobó para la temporada 2017 si los equipos cumplen con las reglas de la liga en la transmisión de televisión para los partidos de la liga.

Los últimos temas de la agenda a ratificar tenían que ver con la programación. La liga comenzará, con una pizarra completa de juegos, el 31 de marzo. Tres juegos se jugarán en esa primera serie con un día fuera el lunes el 4 de abril.

El Juego de Estrellas, originalmente programado para el 16 de junio se trasladó a la 18 ª. La liga abandonó la regla que tenía el ganador del Juego de Estrellas que determinaba la ventaja del campo casero en la ronda del campeonato. Ahora el campo de casa se basará en el récord de victorias / pérdidas solo. Liga Mayor de Béisbol (MLB) debe tomar nota de esto y hacer lo mismo en la Liga Grande.

El Día de Apertura, los Acereros de Monclova tocarán los Diablos Rojos del México en la Ciudad de México. Los Saraperos de Saltillo comenzarán la temporada en el camino contra los Toros de Tijuana. Los Generales de Durango (antes Delfines de Ciudad del Carmen) visitarán los Rieleros de Aguascalientes. Los Sultanes de Monterrey estarán en casa contra los Vaqueros de Laguna, al igual que los Guerreros de Oaxaca cuando acojan a las Aguilas Rojas de Veracruz a la ciudad. El campeón 2016 LMB Pericos de Puebla se enfrentan a los Bravos de León (antiguamente los Broncos de Reynosa) en Puebla. Los Olmecas de Tabasco visitan Campeche para tomar las Piratas y los Tigres de Quintana Roo viajan a Mérida para luchar contra los Leones de Yucatan.

La liga ha determinado que los Bravos de León y los Generales de Durango deben jugar las dos primeras series del año como equipo visitante para permitir más tiempo para que se realicen mejoras en sus campos de origen.

The LMB Assembly of Presidents in Final Meeting Prior to the 2017 Season

TIES UP LOOSE ENDS BEFORE THE START OF THE 2017 LMB SEASON

LMB Assembly of Presidents

The Assembly of Presidents of the 16 team Liga Mexicana de Beisbol (LMB) met on the 24th of February to take care of the final items on the agenda for the 2017 season.

Approval of the sale of the Tigres de Quintana Roo was the first and most anticipated item on the agenda. The league approved the sale of the Tigres to Mexican baseball icon Fernando Valenzuela. Valenzuela will be the Chairman of the Board of Directors, the Executive President, the Deputy Executive Chairman and the General Manager of the team. There was no mention of the sale price in the announcement but the cost has been estimated at 50 Million Pesos.

Fernando Approved as Owner of Tigres

The assembly also approved the sale of the Broncos de Reynosa to Arturo Blanco who will be the Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Bravos de Leon. Mr. Mauricio Martinez was named as the Executive President of the Bravos.

Also approved was the sale of 50% of the Sultanes de Monterrey to the Grupo Multimedia. As there was not a list of owners of the other 50% of the Sultanes, one can only assume that at least 1 % of the remaining partners would vote with Grupo Multimedia to avoid conflicts in management decisions. Additionally, the assembly approved the sale of the Acereros de Monclova to LIC. Gerardo Benavides Pape.

Pilino Escalante

In accordance with the wishes of Minor League Baseball (MiLB), the organization that sanctions the LMB, the league presidents unanimously approved the return of Pilino Escalante to the position as President of the LMB. Escalante had been ousted by a majority of the team owners in December.

The assembly also concurred with the decision of Pat O;Connor, President of the MiLB, that there would be no limits on the number of dual nationality players on any team. Those dual nationality players are Mexican players born abroad.

The use of replay was approved for the 2017 season if the teams comply with the league rules on television transmission for league games.

The last items on the agenda to ratify had to do with scheduling. The league will begin, with a full slate of games, on the 31st of March. Three games will be played in that first series with an off day on Monday the3rd on April.

The All Star game, originally scheduled for the 16th of June was moved to the 18th. The league abandoned the rule that had the winner of the All Star game determining home field advantage in the Championship round. Home field will now be based on won/loss record alone. Major League Baseball (MLB) should take note of this and do the same in the Liga Grande.

On Opening Day, the Acereros de Monclova will play the Diablos Rojos del Mexico in Mexico City. The Saraperos de Saltillo will begin the season on the road against the Toros de Tijuana. The Generales de Durango (formerly the Delfines de Ciudad del Carmen) will visit the Rieleros de Aguascalientes. The Sultanes de Monterrey will be at home against the Vaqueros de Laguna as will the Guerreros de Oaxaca when they welcome the Aguilas Rojas de Veracruz to town. The 2016 LMB Champion Pericos de Puebla face the Bravos de Leon (formerly the Broncos de Reynosa) in Puebla. The Olmecas de Tabasco visit Campeche to take on the Piratas and the Tigres de Quintana Roo travel to Merida to battle the Leones de Yucatan.

The league has determined that the Bravos de Leon and the Generales de Durango must play the first two series of the year as the away team to allow more time for improvements to be completed on their home fields.

Tigres de Quintana Roo Sold To Investors Headed By Fernando Valenzuela

LINDA MARGARITA BURGOS RUMORED TO BE NAMED AS HEAD OF THE CONSORTIUM

Carlos Peralta, the former owner of the Tigres de Quintana Roo, has announced the sale of the team to a consortium of investors, including former LA Dodger and Mexican baseball superstar, Fernando Valenzuela.

Fernando Valenzuela with the LA Dodgers

Peralta earlier this year had petitioned the Liga Mexicana de Beisbol (LMB) to be allowed to leave the league based on the league's decision to allow an unlimited number of dual nationality players on the leagues teams. These dual nationality players, who some team owners have said would ruin Mexican baseball, were in the minority when the President of the US Minor League's (MiLB) Pat O'Connor ruled there would be no limits on these Mexican-Americans.

The MiLB sanctions the LMB as a US equivalent Triple A league.

This move lead Peralta to place the team for sale. He initially said that the Tigres name, images and colors would not be sold. Peralta is quoted as saying "(t)he position taken by the league will bring negative consequences, both for the players born and trained in Mexico and for the league itself". He further stated that he sold the team to "a regional group of investors with proven moral quality".

The fiery owner, whose father founded the Tigres 62 years ago, has said he will "disappear" and have nothing to say about the running of the Tigres under the new administration. As a concession to the new owners, Peralta has allowed the use of all things Tigres.

Tigres News Conference

In a news conference held in Cancun on the 19th of February, Valenzuela, standing alongside Peralta and the Governor of Quintana Roo, Carlos Joaquin, said " (b)aseball is still in Cancun." he added that "I would never have imagined being in charge of an organization, more than anything a team such as the Tigres." It is rumored that Valenzuela's wife, Linda Margarita Burgos will be named as the legal head of the purchasing consortium on Monday the 20th of February.

The LMB guidelines require that team owners need to be investigated and approved by the league and the other 15 teams in the league. A league meeting that had been scheduled for the 17th of February was put off until the 24th so that any ownership change in Cancun could be approved and the Tigres able to begin the 2017 LMB season as scheduled on the 31st of March.

The selling price of the Tigres is rumored to be in the range of 50 million Pesos (roughly $2.5 million dollars US at today's exchange rate). The government of Quintana Roo subsidized the Tigres in 2016 in an amount near 19.1 million Pesos, a number that has dropped steadily over the past 6 years. There was no indication from Governor Jaoquin on whether or not, and in what amount, any future subsidy might be.

The press conference also made no mention of any potential roster changes that might happen nor if the 2016 manager and coaches would be retained.

New Managerial Faces in the LMB for 2017

AT LEAST 6 NEW MANAGERS in the LMB for 2017

Cory Snyder

Cory Snyder, who coached the Pericos de Puebla to the 2016 LMB Championship has left Puebla to coach the ChinaTrust Brothers of the Chinese Professional Baseball League in Taiwan for the 2017. He will be replaced by Von Hayes who coached the Pericos in 2015.

Snyder led the Pericos to their first LMB Championship in 30 years in 2016. Hayes was fired as manager of the Pericos after just 25 games in 2015, a direct result of a losing record and a drop in attendance.

Von Hayes

Both Snyder (Cleveland Indians) and Hayes (Philadelphia Phillies) had good careers in the Liga Grande (Major Leagues) and both coached in Triple A affiliates for major league clubs.

Wally Backman

Following the 2016 season, the Acereros fired their manager, Homar Rojas, as the Acereros were swept 4 games to none in the first round of the Zona Norte Playoffs. Rojas will be replaced as manager by Wally Backman, formerly the manager of the NY Mets Triple A affiliate Las Vegas 51s. Backman will be remembered as the second baseman on the 1986 NY Mets World Championship team. Rojas has taken over the Rieleros de Aguascalientes for 2017.

The Vaqueros de Laguna will be piloted by Ramon Orantes who spent 20 years playing in the LMB and the Mexican winter league, the LMP. Orantes finished his career as the 5th best batsman in the LMB, posting a .315 batting average in 4,578 at bats.

Ramon Orantes

Francisco “Paquin” Estrada takes over the helm of the Bravos de Leon. The Bravos are the reincarnation of the Broncos de Reynosa. Estrada coached the Seraperos de Saltillo in 2016 and hopes to have the Bravos playing at a high level quickly to develop the dedicated fan base required to sustain a baseball franchise in Mexico.

Francisco Estrada

Taking over the reins in Saltillo will be Orlando Sanchez. A former Major League catcher, Sanchez played for the Cardinals, Royals and Orioles in his career. Born in Puerto Rico, Sanchez was the manager for the Vaqueros de Laguna in 2016.

Orlando Sanchez

As of the time of this article, the Generales de Durango, formerly the Delfines de Ciudad del Carmen have not named a manager. As part of the agreement of the move to Durango, the team owners agreed to make improvements to Estadio Francisco Villa to the tune of 35 Million Pesos. These improvements are to be accomplished by the 15th of March 2017.

Follow me for weekly updates on the Leones de Yucatan at: www.yucatanliving.com

Olmo Rosario Signs with the Somerset Patriots of the Atlantic League for the 2107 Season

ATLANTIC LEAGUE TEAM SIGNS PLAYER WHO FAILED DRUG TEST

The Somerset Patriots announced on their website that they had signed utility player Olmo Rosario to play for them in 2017.

Patriots manager Brett Jodie says "It is great to have Olmo on our team this year. We have seen him in the league before and he was always a tough out for us." Jodie added that "(h)e will also be a huge addition to our offense."

This will be Rosario's third season in the Atlantic League. In 2013 he hit .287 with 13 HRs and 74 RBIs for the Lancaster Barnstormers and was selected to the Atlantic League All Star squad.

In 2016, for the Toros de Tijuana of the Liga Mexicana de Beisbol (LMB) Rosario hit .313 with 6 HRs and 73 RBIs in 109 games.

The fact that Rosario is a good hitter is indisputable. He has proven over his 12 year professional baseball career that he can hit a baseball. He can also field. Under normal circumstances he would be an asset to any baseball team anywhere in the world. His talent is undeniable.

I write this article because Olmo Rosario has been suspended by the LMB for the first 50 games of the 2017 season after amphetamines were discovered in a urine test conducted following the 2016 LMB season.

The Somerset Patriots must have been aware of Rosario's suspension. The same Minor League Baseball (MiLB) that sanctions the Patriots, and the Atlantic League, sanctions operations in the LMB. If the Patriots didn't know about the suspension because they didn't do their "due diligence" then shame on them. If the MiLB establishment didn't pass on the information of a player who failed a drug test and was suspended, shame on them. But, if Rosario or his agent failed to inform the Patriots of his suspension, Rosario should be banned for life from professional baseball.

In the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball's mission statement the league bills itself as "...winning baseball games and showcasing the talent of top-caliber players...".

If hiring drug users banned for 50 games in a Triple A sanctioned MiLB league is "showcasing top-caliber players" then the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball should rethink it's mission statement.

5 LMB Jugadores Suspendido Para Partes de la Temporada 2017

Dos mas jugadores revision medica de prueba positiva

La Liga Mexicana de Beisbol (LMB) ha dado a conocer los nombres de 5 jugadores que dieron positivo. Después de la temporada 2016, para sustancias prohibidas y será suspendido para partes de la temporada 2017. Además, para estos jugadores, no se les permitirá participar en la postemporada si su equipo llega a los playoffs.

Carlos Valencia, Olmo Rosario y Miguel Ángel González de los Toros de Tijuana tuvieron anfetaminas descubiertas en sus pruebas de drogas.

El gerente de Toros, Pedro Mere, ha sido citado diciendo que se mantiene al lado de sus jugadores "... dando pleno apoyo en su 'supuesto dopaje' 'Aunque no está de acuerdo con los resultados, dice que" espera los resultados de la prueba " B"

.
Cada uno de los jugadores de Toros fueron suspendidos por 50 juegos.

Olmo Rosario, quien bateó .313 con 6 HRs y 73 impulsadas para los Toros en 2016, ha firmado para jugar en la Liga Atlántica para los Patriotas de Somerset en 2017.

Carlos Valencia bateó .244 con 7 HR y 46 RBIs, mientras que el lanzador derecho Miguel González tuvo una efectividad de 5.89 en 18 entradas de,, dando 28 hits, ponchando 15 y caminando 10.

Hassan Pena, descubierto con marihuana en su prueba fue suspendido por 50 juegos. Jugó para los Sultanes de Monterrey en 2016. Primero un relevista, Pena tuvo un récord de 5-1 con 5 salvamentos. Lanzó 30 entradas de,, eliminando a 22 y caminando sólo 2.

Albino Contreras, de los Leones de Yucatán, ha sido suspendido por 100 juegos para el análisis positivo de anfetaminas. Esta fue la segunda prueba positiva de Contreras. En 2016, Contresas bateó .208 sin jonrones y 8 remolcadas en tiempo de juego limitado para los Leones.
Además de estos 5 jugadores.

Cyle Hankerd y Travis Blackley tendrán sus resultados positivos, para un producto no especificado, revisado por una comisión basada en una exención medicinal solicitada. La comisión tiene el poder de permitir los resultados o rechazar la solicitud de medicamentos y suspender a los jugadores.

La firma de pruebas de drogas usada por el LMB previamente, CONADE, ya no realiza pruebas de drogas para la liga y por lo tanto la liga se ve obligada a encontrar una instalación de prueba alternativa. Con el fin de mantener un acuerdo de trabajo con la Liga Mayor, que le da a la LMB una calificación Triple A League, una fuente de prueba adecuada debe encontrarse al principio de la temporada.
Actualmente la liga está explorando opciones como la Universidad de California y laboratorios tanto en Cuba como en México.

Seguir mi blog en: www.wdbarrsports.blogspot.com

5 LMB Players Suspended For Parts Of The 2017 Season

2 MORE TO HAVE MEDICAL REVIEWS

The Liga Mexicana de Beisbol (LMB) has released the names of 5 players who tested positive. following the 2016 season, for banned substances and will be suspended for parts of the 2017 season. Additionally, for these players, they will not be allowed to participate in the postseason should their team reach the playoffs.

Carlos Valencia, Olmo Rosario and Miguel (Michael) Angel Gonzalez of the Toros de Tijuana had amphetamines discovered in their drug tests.

The Toros manager, Pedro Mere, has been quoted as saying that he stands by his players “...giving full support in their ‘supposed doping’’ While not agreeing with the results he says he “looks forward to the results of test “B”.

Each of the Toros players were suspended for 50 games.

Olmo Rosario, who hit .313 with 6 HRs and 73 RBIs for the Toros in 2016, has signed to play in the Atlantic League for the Somerset Patriots in 2017.

Carlos Valencia hit .244 with 7 HRs and 46 RBIs while right handed pitcher Miguel Gonzalez had a 5.89 ERA in 18 ⅓ innings, giving up 28 hits, striking out 15 and walking 10.

Hassan Pena, discovered with marijuana in his test was suspended for 50 games. He played for the Sultanes de Monterrey in 2016. Primarily a reliever, Pena had a 5-1 record with 5 saves. He pitched 30 ⅔ innings, striking out 22 and walking just 2.

Albino Contreras of the Leones de Yucatan has been suspended for 100 games for testing positive for amphetamines. This was Contreras’ second positive test. In 2016, Contresas hit .208 with no home runs and 8 RBIs in limited playing time for the Leones.

In addition to these 5 players, Cyle Hankerd and Travis Blackley will have their positive results, for an unspecified product, reviewed by a commission based on a requested medicinal exemption. The commission has the power to allow the results or reject the medicinal request and suspend the players.

The drug testing firm used by the LMB previously, CONADE, no longer performs drug testing for the league and thus the league is forced to find an alternate testing facility. In order to maintain a working agreement with Major League, which gives the LMB a Triple A League rating, a suitable testing source must be found by the beginning of the season.

Currently the league is exploring options such as the University of California and laboratories in both Cuba and Mexico.

LMB Arguments Over Roster Limits For Foreign Born Mexicans Mediated By Minor League Baseball

PAT O'CONNER, PRESIDENT OF MiLB, MEDIATES DISAGREEMENTS

Until 5 PM on Tuesday the 7th of February, the status of the 2017 Liga Mexicana de Beisbol (LMB)
season was very much in jeopardy.

The league, comprised of two Divisions with eight teams each, could not come to agreement on how many foreign born Mexicans would be allowed on each team. The number of "extranjeros", or foreign born players, would remain at 6.

At the end of the 2016 season, the Toros de Tijuana beat the Sultanes de Monterrey in the semifinals of the divisional playoffs. Jose Maiz Garcia, the President of the Sultanes, claimed that the Toros had an unfair advantage because of the number of dual nationality players on the team. Specifically, Mr. Maiz was referring to the number of Mexican-American players the Toros had hired.

This argument split the owners of the sixteen teams between the traditionalists and the "new money" owners. The team owners that wanted to limit the number of dual nationality players to 3 per team were from Monterrey, Oaxaca, Ciudad de Mexico, Cancun (Tigres de Quintana Roo), Saltillo, Campeche, and Tabasco.

The owners of teams in Tijuana, Veracruz, Laguna, Merida (Leones de Yucatan), Puebla (2016 League Champions), Monclova and Aguascalientes argued for 9 dual nationality players.

Mr Maiz argued that the LMB, and their Academies, existed to develop Mexican ballplayers and not give an advantage to one team over another.

When, after 3 months, the impasse among team ownership was not resolved, the owners asked Pat O'Conner, President of Minor League Baseball, to mediate between the 2 groups. Minor League Baseball sanctions the LMB and issues the certification of the league as a Triple A level Organization. The owners agreed to abide by the decision of Mr. O'Conner.

Mr. O'Conner, in his letter released to the league on Tuesday, made 2 minor decision. He returned Plinio Escalante to his position as league president and accepted that the Broncos de Tamaulipas would be sold to a consortium from Leon.

The final part of his letter to the league addressed the question of roster limitations on dual nationality players.

Mr. O'Conner wrote that "Although I understand and share the goal of developing the most talented baseball players in Mexico, the roster limits of dual nationality players violates the Mexican Constitution and the Federal Law to Prevent and Eliminate Discrimination because the limits would act as (a) a restriction on access to work, (b) a restriction on participation in an association and (c) a restriction on participation in sporting activities." He further stated that "The roster limits could subject the Mexican League and/or it's clubs to a complaint before a court or another body such aa the National Sports Commission or Conapred." Conner also wrote "I cannot look away or encourage a member league (of baseball organizations) to engage in illegal discrimination. Consequently, there will be no roster limits for dual nationality players. The suspension of player signings imposed at the Houston assembly on February 1st is removed."

On a final note, Mr. O'Conner told the President of the LMB to review closely the claims of dual nationality players as it had been said that some were falsified.

Also on Tuesday, the owner of the Tigres de Quintana Roo, Carlos Peralta, announced his petition to withdraw from the LMB, based on this disagreement, and was placing the team for sale.

It may also be that Mr. Peralta was not pleased with the decision of the new Governor of Quintana Roo to lower the subsidy for the Tigres from 24 million pesos a year to 20 million pesos.

But for now the season is safe. The league owners will meet in the next few days to determine league schedules and the date the season will begin. If all goes well, the league should begin play around the 31st of March.

There remains the question of the Tigres, the new ownership of the Bravos de Leon (former Broncos de Reynosa) and the success of the Generales de Durango after the teams move from Ciudad del Carmen?

For those of us who love baseball and enjoy the product the Liga Mexicana de Beisbol provides, let us hope that all parties agree to abide by Mr. O'Conners' decision and the league returns for the summer.

Mayos Sweep Charros with 4-1 Win in Game 3

A MICHAEL CHOICE SAC FLY PROVIDES THE ONLY CHARROS OFFENSE

Michael Choice sac fly

The good news on the night was that the Charros scoreless streak stopped at 24 innings. The bad news is that, while the Charros scored a run, the Mayos de Navojoa scored 4 times to win the game 4-1. Navojoa swept the 3 game series and the Charros fell to 11-12 on the season.

Some additional bad news is that in the 3 games the Charros managed just 17 hits and 1 run. They also were 1 for 24 with runners in scoring position, an .041 batting average. Without providing key hits that produced runs, the excellent pitching by the Charros pitchers was wasted. The starters and relievers allowed just 8 runs in the 3 games.

Newly acquired starter, Matthew Zielinski (0-1) took the loss. He gave up 6 hits, including a home run, and 3 runs in the first 2 innings but settled down in his 5 innings on the mound.

Matthew Zielinski

Zack Dodson (1-2) allowed 1 run on 5 hits while striking out 6 in the win.

Humberto Sosa singled to right in the bottom of the 1st inning for Navojoa to drive in Yosmany Guerra and Randy Arozarena for the quick 2-0 lead. Again a lead off walk issued by the Charros pitching led to a run.

Diego Madero hit a solo hone run to deep left center in the second to add to the Mayos lead.

Cacao Valdez doubled in the 4th inning for Jalisco and advanced to third on a fielding error on the play. Michael Choice followed with a sac fly to put the Charros on the board and cut the Mayos' lead to 3-1.

Navojoa scored their final run in the bottom of the 6th on a double by Sosa, a ground ball out and a single by Fernando Flores for the 4-1 win.

Manny Rodriguez went 2 for 3 with a double for the Charros.

Manny "El Capitan" Rodriguez

Humberto Sosa was 2 for 4 with a double, 2 RBIs and a run scored for the Mayos. Yosmany Guerra was 2 for 3 and Diego Madero 1 for 4 with the home run for Navojoa.

Monday is an off day and the Aguilas de Mexicali arrive in Guadalajara for 3 games beginning on Tuesday the 8th of November.



IN OTHER LMP ACTION

Hermosillo 2, Mexicali 1

Dave Sappelt hit a solo home run for the Aguilas in the bottom of the 9th but it wasn't enough to overcome the 2 runs scored by the Naranjeros and Hermosillo won 2-1. Consecutive doubles by Carlos Gastelum and Jorge Flores put Hermosillo up after 7 inning. Jose Amador hit his 5th home run of the year in the 8th to give the Naranjeros a 2-0 lead. Manuel Valdez (1-0) got the win in relief and Paul Sewald his 7th save. Marco Quevedo (0-2) took the loss.

Los Mochis 2, Mazatlán 0

The Caneros scored twice in the top of the 1st and went on to beat the Venados by the 2-0 score. Julian Arballo (3-0) scatterd 5 hits, struck out 4 but walked 5 in getting the win. Jon Sintes earned his 7th save. Walter Silva (1-4) was charged with both runs in the loss. JC Linares was 1 for 3 with 2 RBIs for Los Mochis. Jason Bourgeois and Hector Paez were both 2 for 4 for the Venados who fell to 6-17 on the season.

Obregon 4, Culiacan 2

Arturo Lopez (4-0) gave up a run on 2 hits in 6 1/3 innings of work to get the win for the Yaquis. Craig Stem notched his 1st save for Obregon. Aaron Thompson (2-1) gave up the 4 Obregon runs on 6 hits in 3 innings to take the loss. The Yaquis scored 3 times in the 3rd and added a run in the 4th and held on to win 4-2. Leo Heras was 3 for 4 with2 RBIs for the Yaquis. Irving Wilson went 1 for 1 with a home run and Joey Meneses 2 for 4 with a triple and a run scored for the Tomateros.

Charros Shutout Again By Navojoa 3-0

21 CONSECUTIVE SCORELESS FOR JALISCO

Daniel Guerrero Ejected in 2nd

The Charros offense has been non existent in the first 2 games against the Mayos de Navojoa. Held scoreless in a 1-0 loss on Friday, Jalisco failed to score again on Saturday and fell to the Mayos 3-0.

Diego Madero doubled with 1 out in the bottom of the 2nd for Navojoa and scored 1 out later on a single by Yosmany Guerra. As on Friday the Mayos jumped out to an early lead.

A single by Madero, a sacrifice bunt by Alejandro Gonzalez, a single by Guerra and a triple by Randy Arozarena increased the Mayos lead to 3-0 after 7 innings.

5 times in the game the Charros had runners in scoring position with 2 outs or less and failed to score. The team was 0 for 9 in those situations. In Friday;s contest Jalisco went 1 for 9 with runners in scoring position.

Alejandro Ortiz Steals 2nd

Daniel Guerrero (2-2) started the game for the Charros but was ejected by the home plate umpire after 1 2/3 innings after arguing balls and strikes. Guerrero gave up a run on 2 hits, walking 2 and striking out 2 to take the loss.

Marco Camarena (1-0) picked up the win, striking out 7 Charros and allowing 3 hits in 5 innings of work. Connor Little earned his 2nd save in 2 attempts for the Mayos.

Michael Choice at the Plate

Michael Choice was 2 for 4 on the night for the Charros. Yosmany Guerra wen 2 for 3 with an RBI and a run scored, Diego Madera 2 for 3 with 2 runs scored and Randy Arozarena 2 for 2 with a triple and 2 RBIs for Navojoa.

1 Game remains to be played in Navojoa before the Charros return to Guadalajara on Tuesday the 8th of Nivember to take on the Aguilas de Mexicali for 3 games.



IN OTHER LMP ACTION

Mazatlán 4, Los Mochis 2

Corey Brown hit a 3 run home run for the Venados in a 4 run 6th inning and Mazatlán held on for the 4-2 win over the Caneros. Isaac Rodriguez went 2 for 5 with an RBI and a run scored for Los Mochis. Nick Struck (1-1) pitched very well for Mazatlán, striking out 6 and allowing 1 run on 5 hits in the win. Jesus Barraza earned his 1st save of the year. Roy Merritt (2-2) gave up 4 runs on 6 hits in the loss.

Hermosillo 4, Mexicali 1

The Naranjeros got a 3 run home run from Matt Skole and a solo shot from David Washington to top the Aguilas 4-1. Mexicali scored their run on a sac fly by Yordanys Linares that had given the Aguilas an early lead. Juan Pablo Oramas (3-0) went 7 innings on the mound, striking out 3 and giving up a run on 3 hits. Paul Sewald notched his 6th save. Javier Solano (3-2) gave up 3 runs on 7 hits in 6 2/3 innigs to take the loss.

Culiacan 2, Obregon 1

Sergio Contreras hit a solo home run for the Yaquis in the 3rd inning but the Tomateros' Joey Meneses hit a 2 run shot in the 4th as Culiacan beat Obregon 2-1. Ryota Igarashi (1-0), a newly acquired addition to the Culiacan pitching staff struck out 5 Yaquis in 3 innings of work to get the win and Javy Guerra got his 3rd save of the year. Rolando Valdez (0-4) took the loss.

Charros Fall to Navojoa 1-0 In Series Opener

MAYOS HELD TO 3 HITS; STILL WIN

Tyler Alexander Struck Out 12 in the loss

Tyler Alexander (1-1) threw 7 excellent innings for the Charros, striking out 12 and walking 3 in the 1-0 loss to the Mayos de Navojoa.

Alexander gave up 2 of those 3 hits in the bottom of the 2nd, a single to Quincy Latimore and a double to Christian Zazueta before Fernando Flores hit a sac fly to right that scored Latinore with the only run of the game.

The Charros loaded the bases with no outs in the top of the 5th. Art Charles drew a base on balls, Cacao Valdez singled, as did Alan Espinoza. Alejandro Ortiz ground into a 3-2-3 double play and Carlos Figueroa struck out to end the inning with no runs scored.

Jalisco put runners on first and second with 1 out in the top of the 7th but failed to score when Michael Choice struck out and Alberto Carreon grounded out to short for the 3rd out.

Art Charles in the Field

Art Charles drew a 1 out walk in the top of the9th and advanced to second on a wild pitch. Valdez was hit by a pitch but Espinoza skied out to center for the 2nd out and pinch hitter Fernando Valenzuela struck out to end the game.

This game of baseball is all about good pitching and timely hitting. The Charros got good pitching from Alexander but faced good pitching by the Mayos. Jalisco did not get the timely hitting while Navojoa made the best of their 3 hits.

Hector Velazquez (4-0) shut out the Charros for 6 innings and struck out 8. Conner Little, newly arrived in Navojoa earned his 1st save in his 1st opportunity.

Manny at Bat

Manny Rodriguez and Alan Espinoza both went 2 for 4 at the plate and Cacao Valdez was 2 for 3, accounting for all of the Charros offense.

2 more games in Navojoa before returning to Guadalajara on Tuesday the 8th of November for a 3 game set against the Aguilas de Mexicali.

IN OTHER LMP ACTION

Mexicali 4, Hermosillo 0

CJ Retherford was 2 for 4 with a double and a run scored and Xorge Carrillo 1 for 2 with a home run and 2 runs scored for Mexicali in their 4-0 win over the Naranjeros. Hermosillo managed just 5 hits off of the Aguilas starter, and winning pitcher, Edgar Osuna (2-2) and 3 relievers in the loss. Jake Sanchez earned his 7th save of the season. Casey Coleman (2-1) took the loss for Hermosillo.

Los Mochis 6, Mazatlán 5

The Caneros scored a run in the top of the 9th to build a 6-2 lead and that run proved invaluable as the Venados scored 3 runs in their half of the inning. Los Mochis came away with the 6-5 victory. Thomas Melgarejo (1-2) picked up the win in relief for Los Mochis. The Caneros closer, Jon Sintes, normally lights out on the mound, gave up 3 hits (including a home run) and 3 runs in the bottom of the 9th to make the game interesting. Emmanuel Avila was 3 for 4 with a home run, 2 RBIs and 2 runs scored for the Caneros. Brian Hernandez went 2 for 4 with a home run, 3 RBIs and a run scored for the Venados.

Obregon 8, Culiacan 1

The Yaquis scored 4 runs in the top of the 5th to make the score 8-0 and the Tomateros were held in check all night, scoring a run in the bottom of the 7th to avoid the shutout in the 8-1 loss to Obregon. Marco Carrillo (1-0) went 6 innings on the hill, striking out 6 to pick up the win. Daniel Rodriguez (1-3) gave up a home run to Armando Araiza and 5 runs on 6 hits over 4 1/3 innings to take the loss. Olmo Rosario and Matt Juengel were both 2 for 4 with 2 RBIs and a run scored for the Yaquis. Maxwell Leon and Bryan Lahair went 2 for 4 for the Tomateros

Charros In Slugfest Win Over Naranjeros

15 HITS, 11 RUNS AND ART CHARLES POWER JALISCO

Art Charles' 4th HR of the Year

The Charros and Naranjeros combined to use 14 pitchers in the game. Those pitchers gave up 33 hits, 5 walks, threw 2 wild pitchers, hit a batter and tossed 3 home run balls in the Jalisco 11-8 win.

Although the game was no pitchers duel, by any stretch of the imagination, it produced in the fans the full spectrum of emotions from jubilation to apprehension to frustration and elation.

Jalisco sent 13 batters to the plate in the bottom of the 1st inning. 5 singles, 3 doubles, a wild pitch and a home run resulted in 9 runs and a seemingly insurmountable 9-0 lead for the home team. There was jubilation in the stands.

Amador Scores in the 1st

Apprehension arrived in the 3rd and 4th innings as the Naranjeros scored twice in the 3rd when Jorge Flores led off with a home run and then 3 consecutive singles produced the second run and cut the lead to 9-2. We, as fans, have watched this scenario too many times with the Charros pitching. Starter, Marco Tovar seemed to have lost his stuff in the 3rd.

Tovar sandwiched 2 walks around a single to load the bases with 1 out in the top of the 4th. The frustration came, as in several other games, when the Jalisco manager, Homar Rojas, failed to put the last 2 innings together and pull Tovar before it was too late. Tovar had proved to be ineffective in the 3rd and continued that ineffectiveness in the 4th. In this case Rojas' decision resulted in a grand slam home run by Eric Young Jr. that reduced the Charros lead to 9-6. An RBI single by Jose Amador later in the inning made it a 9-7 Charros lead.

Marco Tovar, Charros Starter

Apprenhension came back to haunt the fans in the top of the 9th. Closer, Aaron Kurcz, gave up 2 singles and a walk and then another single that drove in a run as Hermosillo pulled to within 3 runs at 11-8. Young singled again to reload the bases before Kurcz got Efren Navarro to pop up to third to end the game and bring elation to the 9,002 fans at Estadio de Charros.

Ramon Delgado (1-0) was the lucky winner in the roulette of Charros pitchers while Edgar Torres (0-2) lasted just 1/3 of an inning for the Naranjeros in absorbing the loss.

It's on to Navojoa for the 11-9 Charros for a 3 game weekend series with the Mayos.

IN OTHER LMP ACTION

Obregon, 3, Navojoa 2

After the Mayos had tied the score 2 all in the top of the 8th, Carlos Valencia hit a 2 out double to left to score Matt Juengel with the go ahead run and Carlos Fisher (2-0) set the Mayos down in the 9th for the 3-2 Yaquis win. Alejandro Barraza (0-1) took the loss. Valencia was 1 for 3 with 2 RBIs for Obregon while Jesus Castillo went 1 for 3 with 2 RBIs for Navojoa.

Mexicali 6, Los Mochis 5

The Aguilas goa a grand slam home run from CJ Retherford (his 5th hr of the year) in a 5 run 8th inning and survived a 3 run bottom of the 9th by the Caneros to win in Los Mochis 6-5. Retherford was 1 for 4 on the night but that 1 hit provided the margin of victory for Mexicali. The Aguilas committed 3 errors on the game and the Caneros had only 1 RBI and 2 earned runs in the loss. Francisco Rodriguez (3-0) got the win in relief. Andres Avila was charges with a blown save resulting in a loss for Santiage Gutierrez (2-1).

Culiacan 3, Mazatlan 1

Edgar Gonzalez (2-1) worked 6 innings giving up 1 run on 4 hits, walking 2 and striking out 3 to earn the victory and Javy Guerra notched his 2nd save of the season as the Tomateros beat the Venados 3-1. Starter Felipe Gonzalez (0-2) was charged with the loss. 17,834 fans watched the home team win yet again over Mazatlán. Ronnier Mustelier was 3 for 4 with 2 doubles and Joey Meneses 2 for 3 with 2 RBIs for Culiacan. Cyle Hankerd went 0 for 2 but his sac fly produced the only Vanados run.