The D’Backs on Saturday for their game against the Dodgers will “distribute lucha-libre masks to the first 15,000 attendees” as part of a promotion by the team and KTVW-TV, and team Senior VP/Communications Josh Rawitch said that the giveaway “continues the franchise's tradition of reaching out to Hispanic fans,” according to Stephanie Russo of the ARIZONA REPUBLIC. The team, which has “23 promotional giveaways ranging from bobbleheads to kiddie backpacks during its 81-game home season, says its fans are buzzing about this one.” Rawitch said that he “expected a crowd of 35,000 at the game.” Rawitch said that tickets sales to Hispanics “have increased since last season.” On a given night, about 20% of the Chase Field crowd is “made up of attendees of Latino descent.” D’Backs President & CEO Derrick Hall said that 35% of the team’s fans “have Hispanic roots.” Hall: "We can always do more in the Hispanic market because it's such an important aspect of our fan base. We let all Hispanic fans know that they are welcome here, we want them here." Hall said that the D'Backs “considered doing the lucha-libre-mask promotion at the Hispanic Heritage Day game on Sept. 16.” But he added that the promotion “could not be fit in with the other festivities planned.” Russo notes since its inception, the franchise and its foundation have “donated $8 million to Hispanic communities and foundations” (ARIZONA REPUBLIC, 7/6).
