In brightly colored uniforms, the players from the Sta. Rita, Chapulines, Casa Blanca and Los Chiludos and other baseball teams warmed up in the outfield on a recent hot Sunday afternoon at the American Airlines Sports Complex near 36th Street North and U.S. 169.
Each of the 10 teams in the Tulsa Hispanic American Baseball League were there for their All-Star game, while their family and friends settled into lawn chairs, bleachers and under umbrellas to watch.
The players in this league are very serious, Jose Perez explained before the home run derby begins.
Perez, a former ball player who is now one of three directors of the Hispanic American League, said that many of the players in the league work as contractors or in construction jobs during the week, then play competitive baseball on the weekend.
Most have been playing since they were kids, making teams through high school or college. Some went on to semi-pro or minor league baseball.
“It’s just fun” said Juan Murillo, a player with the Sta. Rita team.
Murillo likes the family atmosphere, with extended families gathering to watch the games in the shade, kids playing together near the concession stand and cousins and brothers playing on different teams around the league.
The league is open to men older than 18 of any race.
The games continue Sunday at the American Airlines Sports Complex. Games start at 11 a.m., 1:30 and 3 p.m. All 10 teams play each week. Games are free and open to the public.
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Shielded from the afternoon sun by umbreallas, fans watch the All Star game at American Airlines park during the Tulsa Hispanic American Baseball League's All Star game at American Airlines Sports Complex in north Tulsa on Sunday, July 7, 2013. JOHN CLANTON/Tulsa World
Jose Romo stands in the dugout to put on his jersey before the Tulsa Hispanic American Baseball League's All Star game at American Airlines Sports Complex in north Tulsa on Sunday, July 7, 2013. JOHN CLANTON/Tulsa World
Reyes Gomez (left) who plays baseball for the Angels, watches the All Star game fom behind the outfield fence with his brother, Octavio Gomez (right) during the Tulsa Hispanic American Baseball League's All Star game at American Airlines Sports Complex in north Tulsa on Sunday, July 7, 2013. JOHN CLANTON/Tulsa World
Tacos from the concession stand during the Tulsa Hispanic American Baseball League's All Star game at American Airlines Sports Complex in north Tulsa on Sunday, July 7, 2013. JOHN CLANTON/Tulsa World
A fan stands behind a fence on the third base side during the Tulsa Hispanic American Baseball League's All Star game at American Airlines Sports Complex in north Tulsa on Sunday, July 7, 2013. JOHN CLANTON/Tulsa World
Josh Kern (center) and Steve Porter (left) join teammates during national anthems for the United States and Mexico before the Tulsa Hispanic American Baseball League's All Star game at American Airlines Sports Complex in north Tulsa on Sunday, July 7, 2013. JOHN CLANTON/Tulsa World
Jesus Murillo and teammate Jose Romo (right) before they participate in the Tulsa Hispanic American Baseball League's All Star game at American Airlines Sports Complex in north Tulsa on Sunday, July 7, 2013. JOHN CLANTON/Tulsa World
