TIJUANA.- Professional baseball teams from both sides of the borders united forces this week to benefit the Hospital Infantil de las Californias, a children’s hospital located in Tijuana. The beautiful and moving efforts by the Toros de Tijuana league and the San Diego Padres took place at the hospital.

This event was lead by Doctor Antonio Loaiza, the director of the hospital, and his staff, who welcomed Tom Seidler on behalf of the San Diego Padres ownership; Alex Montoya, community relations representative for the club; Nicky Patriarca, head of team marketing and Rebecca Ramirez, San Diego Padres Tijuana representative, and the general director of the team store, among other participants.

On behalf of the Toros de Tijuana, Blanca Uribe,vice president of the club; Blanca Diaz de Uribe, first-lady of the club; Jaime Blancarte Pimental, General Manager; Carlos Orozco, administrative manager; Sergio Cortes, marketing coordinator, and Tito Escobar, public and community relations coordinator.

During the tour of the facilities, Dr. Antonio Loaiza explained how the hospital works with children in an ongoing effort to offer the best quality service possible and improve their quality of life.

Blanca Uribe expressed the importance of these efforts and emphasized her team’s commitment to support and help the children’s hospital as a professional baseball team.

Tom Saidler of the Padres also reaffirmed his support as a club for the hospital which he believe has a clear impact on children in Baja California

Finally, the Toro’s first team members, Arturo Rodriguez, Abel Martinez, and Efren Espinoza handed out gifts to all of the in-patient and visiting children at the hospital and took pictures with them, handed out autographs, and most importantly, brought smiles to the faces of children that are going through difficult times.

Similarly, staff for the Padres handed out team memorabilia. The biggest hit by far were the team mascot’s: the Padre’s Swinging Friar, and the Toro’s bull who tirelessly visited each little one and posed for pictures.

On August 3rd Petco Park will host the Mexican baseball team as they head-off against the Diablos Rojos, just another example of efforts to strengthen ties between the two leagues. The two teams will continue to work hand-in hand to benefit those most in need.

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