Isotopes strike a chord with latest Copa victory
The Isotopes understand the role that art plays in connecting with the local Albuquerque community. “If you talk to people in New Mexico, they won't really tell you that they're artists. It's just sort of in the soil here. Everyone is in some way connected to art,” said Ana Romero,
The Isotopes understand the role that art plays in connecting with the local Albuquerque community.
“If you talk to people in New Mexico, they won't really tell you that they're artists. It's just sort of in the soil here. Everyone is in some way connected to art,” said Ana Romero, the co-founder of the New Mexico Academy of Rock and Blues (NMARB).
In recent years, Isotopes Park has become more than just a home for a Triple-A ball club. It’s become a cultural center for those who appreciate the local arts scene. From music to murals, the blending of baseball and culture in Albuquerque is amplified during the club’s Copa de la Diversión celebrations.
Under their Mariachis identity, the Isotopes have built something of a Copa dynasty. The club’s campeón victory last year was its third. They also won in each of the first two seasons of the program in 2018 and 2019. This year's prize also came with a $5,000 donation from Nationwide, the official insurance partner of Copa de la Diversión.
For Isotopes general manager John Traub, deciding on which foundation would be the beneficiaries of the endowment was a “no-brainer.”
“[NMARB does] a lot of great things in the community with kids and exposing them to music and culture and art,” Traub said. “We've had players go out to their businesses and learn music along with the kids. And they do these player experiences where we bring them out into the community. They're great things.”
NMARB was founded by Romero and her husband, Keith Sanchez, in Albuquerque 12 years ago. It began as a music-based educational program but has since evolved to include all different types of art. The program has brought in poet laureates to teach lyric writing and songwriting to the participating children, funded photo-poetry exhibits that helped the students understand both the art and technology and has even had demonstrations on museum curation.
The organization’s connection to the ballclub has been forged by Isotopes director of community relations Michelle Montoya over the past few years. Sanchez and Romero’s 13-year-old son, Tobias, actually painted a mural in Isotopes Park on the wall behind the right field foul pole before the start of the 2023 season.
13-year-old Tobias Sanchez did an incredible job creating his “Orbit’s Dream” mural for our brand new Craft Corner! 🎨 Alongside his mentor and muralist Francisco Lefebre, Tobias created a masterpiece that showcases the beauty of New Mexican culture. pic.twitter.com/NXl2Divhmi
— Albuquerque Isotopes (@ABQTopes) April 6, 2023
Thanks to the club’s outstanding Copa efforts, the $5,000 donation from Nationwide allows the foundation to expand its reach within the community.
“We're able to reach out to pay stipends to all these incredible artists, journalists, writers, photographers to bring the kids in and teach them that these are [potential] career paths and teaching through a more alternative form of education that's experiential,” Sanchez said. “We're trying to make it so that kids have access to not only arts programs, but literacy. … through a cultural lens of their own community.”
Romero and Sanchez were joined by dozens of the foundation’s students and their families at the club’s latest Mariachis celebration on Sunday. Albuquerque’s May 5 celebration last season was one of the biggest events on the Copa calendar. And this year was more of the same.
In addition to postgame fireworks and the high-energy performances by musicians and dancers in the ballpark concourses and on the field between innings, there was a concert featuring local hero Al Hurricane Jr., who has been recording music in New Mexico for 50 years, on the right field berm.
There was also a Mariachis jersey giveaway for the first 3,000 fans in attendance, which, according to Traub, caused a line to form outside the ballpark as early as 5:30 a.m.
“It was just one of those memorable, incredible evenings at the ballpark that will go down as one of the tops in the season for sure and of our existence, no doubt,” Traub said.
Prior to first pitch, Nationwide was able to present Romero and Sanchez, along with a number of students from the organization, with a large check on the field.
“[The students] just felt like VIPs,” Romero said. “And so some of them had never been to a ballgame before. They felt so important and so seen. And so, like, they mattered. And it was fantastic. They stayed for the whole thing. They asked lots and lots of questions. And they were in awe being on that field. They were so nervous. And it was just so much fun.”
Gerard Gilberto is a reporter for MiLB.com.
HBCUAC 2025 Hope Credit Union Baseball Championship to be Held in North Little Rock
North Little Rock, Ark. – The HBCU Athletic Conference (HBCUAC) is proud to announce that the 2025 Hope Credit Union Baseball Championship will take place at CHI St. Vincent Field at Dickey-Stephens Park in North Little Rock, Arkansas. Games are scheduled to be played from Wednesday, April 30 to Sunday,
Travs Trounce Tulsa
Box Score North Little Rock, AR—The Arkansas dominated the Tulsa Drillers in a 9-2 win on Wednesday in a day game in front of 7,274 at CHI St. Vincent Field at Dickey-Stephens Park. The Travs scored in five of the eight innings they came to bat including multiple runs on
Drillers Spoil Travs Home Opener With Shutout
Box Score North Little Rock, AR—The Tulsa Drillers spoiled the Arkansas Travelers home opener on Tuesday night with a 1-0 shutout of the home team. Four Drillers pitchers held the Travs to four hits while striking out 14. Tulsa scored the game’s only run in the second inning. The Travs
Arkansas Splits Twinbill with Blowout Blanking in Second Game
Box Score (Game 1) Box Score (Game 2) Midland, TX—The Arkansas Travelers split a Sunday doubleheader against the Midland RockHounds, winning the second contest 9-0 after dropping game one, 6-4. The Travs had an early three run lead in the opener but it did not withstand a five-run with two
Middle Game At Midland Postponed
Midland, TX—The game between the Arkansas Travelers and Midland RockHounds on Saturday night was postponed due to inclement weather. The call was made about 20 minutes prior to the scheduled start time with wind chills in the mid 20s and precipitation moving into the area. It will be made up
Travs Drop Season Opener
Box Score Midland, TX—Caleb Cali and Victor Labrada posted multi-hit games but the Arkansas Travelers dropped their season opener to the Midland RockHounds, 7-5 on Friday night. The Travs led twice in the game but Midland immediately rallied both times and took the lead for good in the fifth inning.
Travs Opening Roster for 2025 Announced
The Seattle Mariners have announced the roster of the Arkansas Travelers that will begin the 2025 season for the reigning Texas League champions. The 28-man squad is made up of 14 pitchers and 14 position players and led by manager Ryan Scott. LHP Danny Wirchansky headlines the team after topping
Arkansas to Become “Barkansas” as Travs Honor Ballpark Pup
The Arkansas Travelers are honoring “The Goodest Boy in Baseball,” ballpark pup Dizzy, with a rebrand of the team name, logo and uniforms for one dog friendly week this summer. From June 10-15, the Travs will be the Barkansas Dizzys, presented by Farm Bureau Insurance. A permanent resident of Dickey-Stephens
Jordyn Wieber to Appear at Travs Faith and Family Night
The Arkansas Travelers are excited to announce that Olympic gold medalist Jordyn Wieber will be the honored guest at the annual Faith and Family Night on Saturday, May 31, 2025, at CHI St. Vincent Field at Dickey-Stephens Park. Wieber, who currently serves as the head coach of the Arkansas Razorbacks
Tickets for Hogs Game Go On Sale February 25
Tickets for the Arkansas Razorbacks game at CHI St. Vincent Field at Dickey-Stephens Park will be made available to the general public on Tuesday, February 25, at 10:00 a.m. via online purchase at Travs.com. The Diamond Hogs are scheduled to host Grambling State University at 6:00 p.m. on Tuesday, April
Travs to Honor “Little Rock Nine” in 2025
The Arkansas Travelers are proud to announce they will pay tribute to the Little Rock Nine during the 2025 season during the weekend of August 21-23. The Travs will honor Melba Pattillo (Beals), Ernest Green, Elizabeth Eckford, Minnijean Brown, Terrence Roberts, Carlotta Walls (LaNier), Jefferson Thomas, Gloria Ray (Karlmark) and
2025 Travs Coaching Staff Revealed
The Arkansas Travelers and their Major League parent club, the Seattle Mariners, are excited to announce the Travelers coaching staff for the 2025 season, led by new Manager Ryan Scott. Joining Scott on the Arkansas staff are José Umbria (Bench Coach), Seth Mejias-Brean (Hitting Coach) and Cameron Ming (Pitching Coach).
Field at DSP to be Named for CHI St. Vincent
The Arkansas Travelers are proud to announce the first ever field naming rights agreement with CHI St. Vincent at Dickey-Stephens Park. All Travs home games will now take place at CHI St. Vincent Field at Dickey-Stephens Park. The name change goes into effect for the upcoming 2025 season and will
Razorbacks to Play Annual Contest at DSP
The Arkansas Travelers and Arkansas Razorback baseball team will once again team up in 2025 as the Razorbacks will host a home game at Dickey-Stephens Park in North Little Rock. Arkansas will host the Grambling State University Tigers on Tuesday, April 1, at 6:00 p.m. in their yearly contest in
Travs Announce Home Start Times for 2025
The Arkansas Travelers announced start times for their 2025 home games today. Opening Night at Dickey-Stephens Park is set for Tuesday, April 8, and will have a 6:05 p.m. first pitch. The full game schedule was released in July. Standard home game times for 2025 are similar to the past
2024 TEXAS LEAGUE CHAMPIONS
Box Score North Little Rock, AR—Alberto Rodriguez hit a walk-off single with one out in the ninth inning making the Arkansas Travelers the Texas League Champions for 2024 with a 5-4 win over the Midland RockHounds in front of a raucous crowd of 5,661 at Dickey-Stephens Park. The Travelers won
Travs Force Decisive Game for TL Title
Box Score North Little Rock, AR—The Arkansas Travelers forced a decisive third game in the Texas League Championship Series with a 3-1 win over the Midland RockHounds on Tuesday night. The win evens the series with the title to be decided on Wednesday. The Travs never trailed in the game
Troy Taylor Named TL Postseason All-Star
Travelers right-handed pitcher Troy Taylor was selected as a Texas League Postseason All-Star for 2024 as announced today by Minor League Baseball. Taylor was promoted to Arkansas in May and was a dominant closer for the Travs before jumping straight to Seattle in late August. He has been with the
Arkansas Drops Game 1 of Title Series to Midland
Box Score Midland, TX—The Midland RockHounds rallied past the Arkansas Travelers for a 10-8 victory in game one of the Texas League Championship Series. The Travs scored five times in the first two innings building a four-run lead but the RockHound offense would not be denied. Midland scored in seven
Travs Return To Texas League Championship Series
Box Score Springfield, MO—Victor Labrada homered twice and Cole Young went deep as well among three extra base hits and the Arkansas Travelers punched their ticket to the Texas League Championship Series with a 6-5 win over the Springfield Cardinals. The Travelers saw a five-run lead disappear when the Cardinals
Travs Ride Massive Fifth Inning To Force Decisive Game
Box Score Springfield, MO—An eight-run fifth inning paved the way for the Arkansas Travelers to force a winner take all game for the Texas League North Division Championship as they defeated the Springfield Cardinals, 9-6 on Thursday night. The Travs sent 13 batters to the plate in the pivotal inning
Arkansas Falls In Playoff Opener
Box Score North Little Rock, AR—The Arkansas Travelers dropped the first game of the Texas League North Division series, 4-1, to the Springfield Cardinals on Tuesday night. The teams had numerous scoring opportunities but combined to leave 20 runners on base. Three times, the Travs had the bases loaded with
Final 2024 TL Pitcher of the Week Honor Goes to Michael Morales
Arkansas Travelers pitcher Michael Morales was named Texas League Pitcher of the Week for September 9-15 it was announced today by Minor League Baseball. Morales tossed six shutout innings last Thursday at Northwest Arkansas surrendering only two hits with four strikeouts. He earned the win in the team’s 13th shutout
2025 Travelers Home Schedule Announced
The Arkansas Travelers in conjunction with Major League Baseball have announced their home schedule for the 2025 season. The 69-game home schedule begins on Tuesday, April 8, as Arkansas will host the Tulsa Drillers at Dickey-Stephens Park. The season opener will see the Travs on the road on Friday, April
Travs Finish Off Regular Season With Victory
Box Score Springdale, AR—The Arkansas Travelers closed out the regular season with a 4-1 win over the Northwest Arkansas Naturals on Sunday afternoon. Brock Rodden connected on a three-run double in the first inning and the Travs led the rest of the way. Arkansas used eight pitchers on the day