CALEXICO — Under the bright glow of stadium lights and an energetic crowd, the first-ever Border Pro Classic brought together two nations, two cities and one passion for baseball on Friday, Oct. 10 at Belcher Field at Calexico High School.
From the moment the gates opened, the field was transformed into a celebration of unity and sport. Rows of red and white tents lined the lawn, filled with food stalls, music and families coming out to support their teams and their community.
The fans cheered when the Valley All-Stars took the field to face the Águilas de Mexicali in a duel that transcended the score. For Calexico Police Chief Armando Orozco, the night was about more than baseball: it was about a shared identity.
“It highlights the unity we have with our sister city on the other side of the border and demonstrates the collaboration with Mexicali,” Orozco said. “In addition to promoting teamwork, sportsmanship and, above all, it is an opportunity for the Estrellas del Valle to play against a semi-professional team, the Águilas de Mexicali.”
The stands were packed with families waving flags, alumni reconnecting and kids grabbing baseballs for autographs. The energy of the night was electrifying; not just for the game itself, but for the sense of community it inspired. Calexico Fire Chief Juan Contreras said the event provided well-deserved visibility to the city’s athletic talent.
“The Border Pro Classic highlights the incredible talent the county has not only in baseball, but in all types of sports,” Contreras said. “More than anything, it allows our local players who are considering making the jump to professional careers to be recognized and seen.”
For Rubén Niebla, San Diego Padres pitching coach and Calexico High School alumnus, the night was a homecoming. As he looked out over the family field, Niebla reflected on what it meant to see the community come together for an event of this magnitude. “This is a great event for both cities, to be able to come together and have a different and new tradition, but the most important thing is that it strengthens the camaraderie between both cities that collaborated to make this night possible,” he said. “For me, it’s a great experience because I went to Calexico High School and played on this field, so to be a part of this is really special.”
Nearby, Booster Club booths were filled with snacks, raffle tickets and pink ribbons in honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month. The night wasn’t just about competing, it was about contributing. All proceeds from the event went to Calexico Baseball and breast cancer awareness programs, a mission that Booster Club President Martha Robinson Carrillo said was very important to her.
“The event is bringing the entire community together,” Carrillo said. “It gives us the opportunity to come together as a community to watch baseball, which is the heart of America and everyone loves to watch it.”
Bridging borders through baseball
On the field, the Valley All-Stars—a mix of current college players, former pros and Division I athletes—took on the experienced Águilas de Mexicali team with passion and pride. Calexico High School baseball coach Jerry Fregoso, who helped organize and coach the All-Stars, said the goal was to give visibility to local athletes. “We wanted to bring the best players because we have coaches and scouts here to watch the game,” Fregoso said. “This allows them to showcase their talent and hopefully land a professional contract.”
For Imperial High School graduate and All-Star player Andrew Rivera, the night was a test of focus and motivation. “I’ve been prioritizing my mental focus to try to prepare for the game and put on a good show for everyone who came to see us and support us,” Rivera said. Another player, José Pérez, a graduate of Southwest High School and member of the All-Star team, said the highlight was the camaraderie. “It’s been really nice to have the opportunity to play on the same team that competed against me in high school,” Perez said. “Through this event I have been able to get to know them on a more personal level.”
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A United Community Under the Lights
As the game unfolded, the crowd roared with every pitch. Families held team flags, excited children along the fence, and cheerleaders danced next to the Eagles mascot dressed in pink. Among the public, Officer Venegas, Calexico 2025 Officer of the Year, commented that events like this strengthen the city’s identity. “My favorite part of the night was being able to come to Calexico High School and watch the All-Star Team and the Mexicali Eagles play, and also witness how the community came together for such a special event,” Venegas said. The stands resonated with unity as fans of all ages came together to celebrate not only the game, but what it represents: opportunity, collaboration and belonging. “It is extremely important,” Venegas added. “Everyone wants to feel a sense of unity, and I think this event is a great example of that, bringing together not only baseball, but also families, friends and students to celebrate together.”
A legacy in the making
As the innings progressed, the focus shifted from rivalry to respect, with the Eagles winning 8-1. Coaches, players and spectators agreed that the event was more than just a competition, establishing a new tradition for generations to come.
“I hope this event becomes a tradition that attracts the attention of more professionals, from coaches to scouts from all over the country, so that they realize the incredible amount of Mexican talent that is here,” Fregoso said. “There is not much Mexican talent in the Major Leagues, but I firmly believe that this could be an opportunity to showcase the talent and change that dynamic.”
