Dominican Republic Baseball

From the sugar mill towns of 'San Pedro deToday more than one in six players in the American
Macrois',and 'La Romana', to fields all across the D.R.,league is from Latin America, the majority of them
young, poor kids dream of someday playing majorcoming from the towns located on the southeastern
league baseball and bringing financial security to theircoast Dominican Republic.
families. The D.R. has a passion for baseball far andEach year, from October to January, fans of the
above anywhere else.Dominican Republic Baseball support their favorite
For Dominican Republic baseball, from late October toteam. Games are held at the Quisqueya Stadium in
January, when the sugar mills are slow, a baseballSanto Domingo and at stadiums in Santiago, San
season is born. It is the big leagues for Dominican ballPedro de Macoris, and La Romana. If you are in the
players who dream of making it big. It's where theirD.R. during this time, not only can you take in the
fantasies can come true. To play well and to be seenbeautiful beaches, but you have to take in a ball game.
by major league scouts. It is also a time when currentThe passion for this sport is like no other for
major leaguers can come home and play in theirDominicans all over.
winterball season.WHAT TEAMS PLAY IN THE DOMINICAN?
Since the 50's when Ozzie Virgil made DominicanLeon del Escogido Santo Domingo Estrellas Orientales
Republic baseball famous by playing in the majorSan Pedro de Macorís
leagues, we have seen more and more players makeAzucareros del Este La Romana
the transition and do it well. The Alou brothers, andAguilas Cibaeñas Santiago
currently, Sammie Sosa. Who could be bigger? MannyPollos Nacionales San Francisco de Macorís
Ramirez, Pedro Martinez, and more.Tigers del Licey Santo Domingo
When the ten year war (1868-1878) in Cuba broughtWhen the teams finish their season, the winner will vie
turmoil to the country, many Cubans fled their countryfor the Carribean World Series, among other latin
and migrated to the D.R. bringing with them the gamecountries. Not only is the season incredible, teams also
called "Baseball" or "Beisbol. Dominicans were quick tofeature american ballplayers that are trying to make it
learn the game and soon organized teams.to the big leagues. When an organization has a top
The national sport and passion of Dominican Republicprospect and they want him to gain more experience,
is baseball or "Beisbol" as the Dominicans call it. Nothey will send him to a winterball league to hone his
matter where you go on the island you will find askills. So you will be seeing incredible baseball with
baseball stadium/park, even in the poorest of towns.incredible players and incredible fans!