{"id":125123,"date":"2019-11-14T12:01:03","date_gmt":"2019-11-14T17:01:03","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/aroundfortwayne.com\/news\/?p=125123"},"modified":"2025-10-19T17:46:09","modified_gmt":"2025-10-19T21:46:09","slug":"tincaps-to-become-manzanas-luchadores-de-fort-wayne-for-2020-select-games","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/aroundfortwayne.com\/news\/2019\/11\/14\/tincaps-to-become-manzanas-luchadores-de-fort-wayne-for-2020-select-games\/","title":{"rendered":"TinCaps to become \u201cManzanas Luchadores de Fort Wayne\u201d for 2020 select games"},"content":{"rendered":"

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The Fort Wayne TinCaps will become the \u201cManzanas Luchadores de Fort Wayne\u201d for select games during the 2020 season.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

News release from the Fort Wayne TinCaps:<\/p>\n

TinCaps to Become \u201cManzanas Luchadores de Fort Wayne\u201d for Select Games in 2020<\/strong>
\nMinor League Baseball Hispanic Fan Engagement Initiative Continues Growth<\/em><\/p>\n

Fort Wayne, Indiana (November 14, 2019) \u2014 The Fort Wayne TinCaps will become the \u201cManzanas Luchadores de Fort Wayne\u201d for select games during the 2020 season. The team\u2019s identity change, which translates to the \u201cFighting Apples\u201d in Spanish, is part of Minor League Baseball\u2019s \u201cEs Divertido Ser Un Fan\u201d (It\u2019s Fun To Be A Fan) Hispanic fan engagement initiative.<\/p>\n

A staple in Mexican culture, \u201clucha libre\u201d (freestyle wrestling) blends showmanship and athleticism through the luchadores\u2019 vibrant wardrobes and rapid-pace movement. An adaption of Fort Wayne\u2019s full-time moniker, the Manzanas Luchadores (Fighting Apples) will mimic the flare and skill of luchadores.<\/p>\n

The Manzanas Luchadores logo features a familiar look for TinCaps fans with a red apple as the centerpiece. The Manzanas Luchadores apple is wearing a green and gray mask, as luchadores customarily don masks in the ring. The apple logo also includes two fists raised in a fighting position.<\/p>\n

The TinCaps are scheduled to take on their Manzanas Luchadores identity for six games at Parkview Field during the 2020 season: May 1-3 and June 26-28. For these \u201cD\u00edas de la Familia,\u201d or Family Days, the team will wear special Manzanas Luchadores jerseys and hats, which will be revealed in March.<\/p>\n

Fans can purchase an exclusive package for an All-Star ticket to each of the six games, which includes one Manzanas Luchadores hat per package, for $72. This limited-time offer is available while supplies last through Dec. 31. Tickets to all TinCaps games will go on sale in February. Season ticket packages and group outings are already on sale.<\/p>\n

Manzanas Luchadores merchandise is now available in The Orchard Team Store at Parkview Field and at TinCaps.com. On-field apparel will become available to purchase in March.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019ve very excited to debut our Manzanas Luchadores identity during the 2020 season,\u201d said Michael Limmer, TinCaps Vice President for Marketing and Promotions. \u201cThe TinCaps take pride in Parkview Field being an inclusive place for all of our fans each and every game. Our D\u00edas de la Familia are a great way for us to further reach out to a growing community in our area and celebrate a culture that\u2019s also shared by so many of our players from the San Diego Padres organization.\u201d<\/p>\n

As of 2016, the City of Fort Wayne\u2019s Hispanic\/Latino population was estimated at 26,000, close to 10% of the city\u2019s overall population. Meanwhile, about 18% of students attending Fort Wayne Community Schools are Hispanic.<\/p>\n

During the 2019 season, of the 58 players who appeared in a game for the TinCaps, 24, or 41%, grew up in a Latin American country. Recent TinCaps stars from Latin America who\u2019ve already reached the major leagues include Fernando Tatis Jr. (2017, Dominican Republic), Michel Baez (2017, Cuba), Franmil Reyes (2014-15, Dominican Republic), and Luis Ur\u00edas (2015, Mexico).<\/p>\n

\u201cMinor League Baseball has done a great job leading this campaign,\u201d said TinCaps President Mike Nutter. \u201cOur Manzanas Luchadores identity is something for our entire fan base to embrace.\u201d<\/p>\n

Minor League Baseball began \u201cCopa de la Diversi\u00f3n\u201d (Fun Cup) in 2018 with 33 teams participating. The series is designed to embrace the culture and values that resonate most with local U.S. Hispanic\/Latino communities. The number of participating teams for 2020 has grown to 92, including 11 of the Midwest League\u2019s 16 teams. For example, when the Fort Wayne TinCaps host the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers from May 1-3, it will be the Manzanas Luchadores de Fort Wayne hosting Los Cascabeles de Wisconsin (the Wisconsin \u201cJingle Bells\u201d). The visiting teams will also wear special jerseys and hats.<\/p>\n

The TinCaps held a D\u00eda de la Familia to celebrate Hispanic culture this past season on Sept. 1. Amanceres de Mexico, a local dance group, performed outside of Parkview Field\u2019s main entrance as fans entered the ballpark. Other elements of the night included Fernando Zapari, from Fort Wayne\u2019s El Mexicano News, filling in for part of the game on public address, announcing in Spanish. He also joined the team\u2019s TV broadcast. Additionally, as players were at-bat, their headshot on the video board included their home country\u2019s flag. Other in-ballpark promotions included players greeting fans on the video board and counting down to fireworks in Spanish, as well as educational content like a \u201cname that nation\u2019s flag\u201d game. These features and more will be incorporated during the D\u00edas de la Familia at Parkview Field in 2020.<\/p>\n

The TinCaps collaborated with the Greater Fort Wayne Hispanic Chamber of Commerce to plan their D\u00eda de la Familia in 2019 and are continuing to partner with local Hispanic community leaders as they take on their Manzanas Luchadores identity in 2020.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019re looking forward to seeing the Manzanas Luchadores play at Parkview Field on D\u00edas de la Familia in 2020,\u201d said Herb Hernandez, Director of the Greater Fort Wayne Hispanic Chamber of Commerce. \u201cWe appreciate the efforts of the TinCaps and Minor League Baseball to celebrate our community\u2019s values and culture, which includes a love for baseball.\u201d<\/p>\n

Manzanas Luchadores \u2014 D\u00edas de la Familia<\/strong><\/p>\n