The Mexican Softball League points to consolidation. After a first season in which six teams participated and Charros de Jalisco won the first title in the history, competition will grow with two franchisesincluding one belonging to a team of the Mexican Pacific League.
One of the most important changes occurs with the appointment of Daniela Leal as general director of the LMS and that foresees a special campaign.
“I am very happy and grateful to Horacio de la Vega (executive president) for the opportunity and for leading the sport to new horizons, also expand the visibility of sport here in Mexico”, said in an interview with MILLENNIUM-The Hobby.
How did they approach you to offer you the position?
Fortunately I was part of the first generation of players and already had contact with Horacio in my previous job. We already had a little while talking about the project and I am very lucky to have been at the audition and that Horacio considered me to lead the project.
How does your experience as an athlete help you for this new stage in your life?
Last season I served as a player, it gave me much greater visibility of what the project entails and as general director, I will be involved in all the project areas as such. So, from sports, commercial, the whole issue of marketing, now I am going to be involved in all areas and little by little I will growing this sport.
I have the credentials both on the sports side and on the professional, because they took me to the point where I am and I hope that the passion that I have and I had as a player all these years, I can transfer it to what the league is and help, obviously, for Mexican sport to grow.
How will you approach this second season, with everything you know and what do you think it can be improved?
Being on the sports side and in the bowels of the league as such, helped me see everything professional that the League has already been from the beginning and we have a very high bar to follow to this second season and what we are looking for is to take the LMS to new horizons and be a hotbed for girls. The spotlight will be on the League, on the players and the fact that they are setting such an example for girls.
Because before they didn’t see the possibility of being able to play professionally in Mexico and now it is a reality. That is the importance that having a professional league in Mexico implies, which speaks of where women’s sport is going and that is what we are looking for as LMS, to take it to international leagues and be a seedbed for these women.
One of the most difficult challenges of competitions is attracting an audience to their first years, how do you think the League did?
Last season the fans responded in an incredible way, I can tell you about it from the side as a player. It was impressive to arrive at the stadiums and see 8 thousand, almost 9 thousand average people in stadiums; People had a very good reaction to the first season with the level that we saw and as a League we are looking for the level to be equal or better, because we have had a lot of attention from international leagues in Europe, Asia and even the United States, which could allow the LMS to grow with female players Mexicans and also having the reinforcements of foreign players.
The summer and winter teams are interested in being part of theLMS, how much does that mean to you?
We will always be open to receive those who are interested, whether they are from the League Mexican or Pacific, we expect gradual growth. Right now in the LMB they are 20 teams and we are not closed to any specific number. Because we are not two softball competitions, there is only one Mexican Softball League and we are not closed to Nothing, on the contrary, moves us with the interest they have.
What goals are set in the medium and long term?
We want to establish this contact with international leagues so that the players of the Mexican League can go to other competitions, that being able to make a living from softball is a reality. I will look for those border openings and I will not lose sight of what the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games, to have a competitive team and so that we can think of medal.
The Key
Training
He studied a bachelor’s degree in Administration at Baylor and has a master’s degree in International Business by Newman; has worked in financial areas of companies transnationals.
​FCM
