02/06/2024 2 Minute Read

Two WBSC Softball World Cups leave meaningful legacy - two world-class stadiums in Hermosillo

Mundialistas Hermosillenses Stadium and Fernando Ortiz Stadium underwent major upgrades in 2023 and 2024 to host the U-18 Men's Softball World Cup 2023 and the Men's Softball World Cup Group A this year, providing two world-class softball fields for the city and the Sonora State.

The WBSC Men's Softball World Cup Group A, which is set to open in 10 days in Mexico, will complete the cycle of a legacy project that included the renovation of two historic venues in Hermosillo: Mundialistas Hermosillenses Stadium and Fernando Ortiz Stadium. Both venues underwent major upgrades in 2023 and 2024, leaving two world-class softball fields for the city and the Sonora State.

The renovation process began in 2023, leading up to the WBSC U-18 Men's softball World Cup last November with renovated facilities (stands, dugouts, restrooms and field of play); and finished in 2024 with a new LED light system in both fields to meet the highest international standards in the sport's industry.

This way, hosting two WBSC Softball World Cups will leave to Hermosillo and its community a pair of first-rate stadiums that will contribute enormously to the development and growth of the sport in the city and the region.

Mundialistas Hermosillenses Stadium

The “Mundialistas Hermosillenses” Softball Stadium was built in 1972 as part of a sports complex located north of the capital of Sonora, where the central venue was the pro baseball team Naranjeros de Hermosillo's new baseball park, which four years later (1976) was named after the best Mexican hitter in history: Héctor Espino.

In more than 50 years of history, Mundialistas Hermosillenses Stadium has hosted a range of events, including several international tournaments like the WBSC U-18 Men's World Cup 2023 and the men's softball Pan American Championship in 2000 and 2006. The diamond also hosted several National, State and Municipal Softball Championships, across different categories as well as children's baseball tournaments.

The name Mundialistas Hermosillenses honours the softball players from the Sonora capital who participated in the WBSC Men's Softball World Cups, between 1966 and 2015.

This sports venue is considered an iconic softball location in the city, witnessing historical feats in Sonoran sports history.

It currently looks renovated, both on the playing field and the facility. The first stage of the renovation - upgraded facilities - was completed to host last year's U-18 Men's Softball World Cup, while the second stage is now finished with a new lighting system.

The stadium is ready to host the WBSC Men's Softball World Cup Group A, with eight of the 19 games of the event.

Technical aspects

Name of the stadium: Mundialistas Hermosillenses Stadium
Capacity: 1,200 people
Inauguration: 1972
Renovation dates: 2023 / 2024
Outfield distance: 250 Feet (76.2m)

Fernando Ortiz Stadium

Located in the Northwestern Sports Unit in the capital of Sonora, Fernando Ortiz Stadium broke ground more than 30 years ago, in the late eighties, while in 1993 it was named as “Fernando Ortiz”.

The stadium has been the house of Municipal Softball Leagues, in addition to receiving State and National Championships of different categories as well as children's baseball matches and sporting event ceremonies.

The name is in recognition of Fernando M. Ortiz, a great baseball and sports promoter in Sonora between 1930 and 1950. In 1993, Ortiz was inducted into the Sonora Sports Hall of Fame for his achievements as an athlete.

In 2023, the venue received a major upgrade to host the WBSC U-18 Men's Softball World Cup and now meets the international standards to host world-class events, becoming a great source of pride for the sport's community in Hermosillo and Sonora.

Starting in 10 days, Fernando Ortiz Stadium will become a two-time host of a major international event, hosting 11 of the 19 games of the WBSC Men's Softball World Cup Group A, including the play-offs on June 16.