Mexico Retirement Activities; Take Me Out to a Baseball Game

Since I work and live in Mexico, I often get the question from people who are about to make the move south;  “What would a Mexico retirement be like?  what would I do while living in Mexico?”   My first response is that there never seems to be a dull moment.  After enjoying the beach and visiting many of the tourist attractions, many expats enjoy getting more involved and donating time to local organizations.   Take for example the activities of one of my all time favorite pastimes, Baseball.    Imagine if you are to retire in Mexico,  relaxing in the laid back atmosphere of the Mexican ambiance, enjoying lazy days and being able to run off to watch an afternoon baseball game!

What better excuse to travel and explore the different cities and “pueblos” in the Mexico than that of going to cheer on, or help coach the local baseball team as they play ball against other communities?  Even for those non-Mexicans who are looking to lend a helping hand to their second home community, what a wonderful feeling of contribution that one receives from that huge smile of a young boy after connecting his bat to a pitched ball.  And as for the Mexican families, the participation of a Non-Mexican helping mold and coach the winning spirits to their kids is probably one of the most warmest gifts a community can receive from an individual.  Baseball brings a wonderful, win win situation for many retired expat baseball fanatics here in Mexico.

So, imagine if you will,  that you are now retired in Mexico, staying for the winter.  You decide to get involved a little in youth baseball.  The schedule in my home town of Playa del Carmen for example, includes a week end baseball trip to Cancun, next week end we have to run out to Holbox, a trip to Cozumel is on the agenda…. I don’t know if the kids are enjoying this more, or the coaches, or the parents?

When I was growing up in Indiana, the spring and summer time were my favorites.  Mainly because of baseball.  Road Trips, Saturday and Sunday double headers.  The trips that my family, team and I would make would be to small rural Indiana towns such as Winamac,  Remington, Kokomo.  Beautiful towns, but you soon realize that the bean and corn fields all pretty much look the same whether on the western half of Indiana to the eastern half.  I chatted about that with my wife as we were boarding a ferry to take my son to his first minor league baseball  “road trip” even though this trip was on a boat, …to COZUMEL!   “Imagine my friends reaction back home if they could see these post card views from our simple “Youth Baseball road trip!” I told my wife.   In order to get to the baseball field, we had to wait for a ferry in a beach side restaurant on white talky beaches of Playa del Carmen.  Then we had to ferry across the Caribbean waters to arrive to the Port of Cozumel that has  wonderful restaurants, diving, snorkeling available on all corners.   But getting involved in Mexican youth baseball goes beyond the opportunities to visit tourist attractions and sites… you get the chance to go into the community.  The families of the home team welcomed us to their neighborhood and fields with big arms.   You stay in hotels that are off the beaten path, clean, safe, simple,  and service with a huge heart and everyone talks baseball.  Even though Mexico is very king on Soccer, in most coastal regions of Mexico you will find the love for this sport.  Sinaloa, Sonora, Tamaulipas, Yucatan and to my pleasant surprise, Quintana Roo have large groups of baseball followers and fans.  Don’t just take my word, the next time you are driving through Mexico, if you are driving slow enough, drive in a couple blocks off the main highway into a little town.  Most likely you will find a little community baseball stadium.  And Sundays are a good afternoon to see some good action on those diamonds.

It is a great feeling of satisfaction and sense of participation to a community when helping a neighbor boy or girl learn baseball and team work.  Living along the beaches of the Mexican Caribbean is very unique and we are absolutely lucky to have such beautiful nature in our back yards.  But, when you live here for 30 days plus, all winter and even all year round, you soon will be searching for additional activities besides the beach lifestyle.  You will want to explore your surroundings, you will want to get involved with other activities such as cards, golfing, bowling, yoga and other events.  Many people I have met, have expressed the great enjoyment they receive from getting involved and working as volunteers in local community organizations.  On my own personal view point, I have always enjoyed sports tremendously and feel great enjoyment in coaching.  And for those who have had some background in baseball or any sport, using your knowledge and skills to help teach underprivileged youth returns a strong feeling of gratification and belonging to a community.  Youth baseball for example teaches a multitude of skills such as team spirit, fair play, competitiveness, leadership, and good old fashion fun.   Baseball is a great way to meet and help the Mexican community.

“Little League baseball is a very good thing because it keeps the parents off the streets”  – Yogi Berra

Mexico has been beat up pretty bad in regards to their public image world wide and the violence occurring in the past 12 months.  In my opinion, some of the news are facts, but some are also exaggerated which is causing an additional negative effect upon various industries such as Tourism.  Between the violence exposed on the news and the accessibility for viewing by the youth, and the downward pressure on the economies,  positive alternative solutions are needed.  Such solutions can be found in education, good role models, and further introduction of healthy sporting activities.   Not only becoming involved in youth baseball in Mexico gives a great sense of belonging for the expats, but the Mexican kids benefit tremendously from the positive messages and training being shared by their coaches.

Baseball is a great pass time enjoyed by many retired people and by the young as well.  In Mexico, the same passion of this sport is found in many of the expat Mexican retirement communities.  The sport allows the retired non-Mexican the opportunity to further explore the regions,  allows for further integration into the new community, and gives invaluable guidance to Mexico’s youth.

“Take me out to the ball game…  Buy me some peanuts and cracker jacks….”

Thomas Lloyd graduated from Purdue University Krannert School of Management with a degree in Management/Financial Option Investments. He has been living, investing, and working professionally in Mexico for over 15 years. In the summer of 2009, he received the first federally applied Mexico Real Estate Degree and Mexico Professional Real Estate License S.E.P. #5978657. He is the current president of TOPmexicorealestate, you can contact him at (512) 879-6546 or through the company’s web site www.TOPmexicorealestate.com NETWORK

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