MEXPAC HOLDS LEAGUE MEETING, PLAYER DRAFT

The Mexican Pacific League held a league meeting last week in Culiacan in which a number of topics were vetted. LMP president Omar Canizales (pictured) said teams would not be able to add reinforcement players to their rosters for the January MexPac playoffs, marking the 13th consecutive winter that rule will be in effect. Canizales also verified that the Caribbean Series would begin on February 2 in Mayaguez, Puerto Rico; televised replays would be used, but only on home run disputes; LMP umpire improvement would continue to be a focus of the league; and that the eight MexPac teams have contributed to a $4 million fund to distribute between the playoff champion and runners-up, with the winner receiving 70%.

The LMP also held its annual player drafts last Wednesday. Lefty pitcher Francisco Esquivel was taken by the Obregon Yaquis as the first pick among domestic players, while right-hander Cecilio Garibaldi was taken second by Hermosillo. In all, 60 Mexican players were selected. In the import draft, Mazatlan led off by tabbing Colombian infielder Jolbert Cabrera and Mexicali followed by picking Cuban pitcher Francisley Bueno. Sixteen extraneros were picked, two by each LMP team.