Phillies affiliates sport new looks for Copa de la Diversión

Lehigh Valley IronPigs, the Phillies AAA affiliates, in action during the 2018 season. (Brandon Apter)

The Philadelphia Phillies are known to have a strong following at the minor league levels. Whether it’s at Class ‘A’ Lakewood or Triple-A Lehigh Valley, Phillies fans attend the games to see some potential future Major League talent while also enjoying the fun environment of the minor leagues.

One of the trendiest topics over the last five to seven years in Minor League Baseball has been the re-branding of teams. Every year, you see two or three teams changing their names completely to tie into their city’s history and/or have a more fun, family-friendly name.

Two of the Phillies minor league clubs have been apart of these re-branding initiatives. Reading changed from the R-Phils to the Fightin’ Phils in 2012. The Scranton-Wilkes Barre Red Barons moved to Lehigh Valley in 2008 after a detour in Ottawa for the 2007 season and were named the IronPigs.

During the 2019 season, re-branding will happen on a far larger scale, as 72 farm teams will re-brand for specific games as part of Minor League Baseball’s “Copa de la Diversión,” which translates to “Fun Cup”. Per MiLB.com, the season-long event series “is specifically designed to embrace the culture and values that resonate most with participating teams’ local U.S. Hispanic/Latino communities.” In 2018, 33 teams participated. That number will jump nearly 40 in 2019.

Here are the Phillies affiliates participating in Copa de la Diversión:

Lehigh Valley Ironpigs –> Coquís de Lehigh Valley

“A nod to Allentown’s significant Puerto Rican population, the “Coquís” moniker aims to celebrate both the island’s unofficial state animal and community at-large.”

Game Dates: April 28, June 5, Aug. 1

Reading Fightin’ Phils –> Peleadores de Reading

“This season the Fightins will celebrate Reading’s Latino culture by playing as Los Peleadores on select Friday home games. Los Peleadores is a direct translation of “The Fighters,” a concept derived from the idea that the city, the team and the region are all “Fighters,” fighting for the success of “R State, R County, R City, R Team, and R Youth.”

Game Dates: May 10, June 7, June 28, July 19, August 2

Lakewood Blueclaws –> Medusas de Lakewood

“Native to the nearby Atlantic Ocean, the Medusa, or jellyfish, boasts five tentacles to represent strength, faith, trust, family and acceptance found within the LatinX community. The logo’s vibrant colors represent the Jersey Shore’s diversity and familial love displayed throughout the region.”

Game Dates: May 3, June 23, July 26, August 28

For the full list of teams participating, click here!