Thursday, February 27, 2025

Stories from the Bay Area: Sergio Contreras, bringing baseball to poor children around the world with the help of tacos

Baseball Without Borders: Sergio Contreras, bringing baseball to poor children in the world with the help of tacos
Through the Baseball Without Borders foundation, Sergio Contreras decided to sell tacos to generate funds to bring the “king of sports” closer to children around the world. Photo: Manuel Ortiz P360P

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Sergio Contreras did not think about giving up to help children in poverty after the COVID pandemic. He put on his apron and decided to sell tacos to generate resources that, through the Baseball Without Borders foundation, would allow the “king of sports” to be brought closer to children around the world.

“We are here working to, as I said, collect funds for children around the world,” Sergio told Península 360 Press.

From South San Francisco to the world, this non-profit organization has shown that “the diamond” goes beyond the field and puts smiles on children in various latitudes with helmets, balls, bats, and even uniforms, to encourage them to continue forward with the sport as a means to advance.

The COVID-19 pandemic put those who make it possible for the props to reach children in poverty on the sidelines, as fundraising activities could not be carried out. However, that was not enough to “punch out” Sergio, who supports the cause with home-delivered tacos.

The native of Colima, Mexico, has lived in California for 40 years, 25 of which he has dedicated to helping children in poverty in various parts of the world.

Baseball Without Borders: Sergio Contreras, bringing baseball to poor children in the world with the help of tacos
The native of Colima, Mexico, has lived in California for 40 years, 25 of which he has dedicated to helping children in poverty in various parts of the world. Photo: Manuel Ortiz P360P

“I have been here in the United States for 40 years, 25 years working for children around the world, sending supplies to the state of Colima, to a small town called Coquimatlán, we send balls, catchers, gloves, uniforms, we send everything to Mexico,” he said.

It should be noted that Sergio does not work as a taco maker on a daily basis, he only does it to raise funds for children, since he works making concrete vaults. 

“This is separate, to collect money for poor children around the world. We have been to Italy, 10 times we went to Nicaragua. Nicaragua is very poor, but it plays with heart, Mexico too, (I have gone) to Merida, Cancun, and many parts of Mexico for baseball.”

Sergio also works at a store in South San Francisco called “La Tapatía,” where he learned how to make tacos, and one thing led to another.

“I taught myself how to make tacos and everything, and that’s where it started, and I like to work. After my job, I came to do this for the children. We are part of an organization called Baseball Without Borders and right now we have done it, after the pandemic (there were) no events and we didn’t have money to collect, so I said: I’m going to do this to collect money, and that’s what I’m doing.”

The “king of sports” has left his mark on his family, and even his children have played baseball, and his brothers-in-law are from Sinaloa, Mexico, a population that loves the sport of baseball and bat, so “it is in their blood.”

His son, Sergio Junior, played three years as a pitcher at the University of Hawaii, where he also studied. 

Those interested in learning more about the organization can search for it at Facebook as Baseball Without Borders or call 650-952-4058; the organization accepts donations.

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Manuel Ortiz
Manuel Ortiz
He is a Mexican journalist and documentary photographer based in Redwood City. He is co-founder and director of Peninsula 360 Press. He has more than 20 years of experience documenting issues of international migration and social justice in several countries, including Mexico, the United States, Colombia, El Salvador, Bolivia, Brazil, Honduras, France, Japan and Ukraine. He holds a degree in Sociology and a master's degree in documentary film from UNAM.

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