Just in case you do not know anything about baseball, Dominicans Love Baseball! The national sport is Baseball. Dominicans do not follow soccer like the rest of Latin America... they watch baseball. In my opinion there are no true fans of any sport that even come close to Dominican fans of baseball. The noise. Their intensity. Their true love of the game.
In addition to their love of the game, Dominican are great baseball players. One of the amazing things about Dominican Baseball is that there are a bunch of players in the major leagues. I have been to many games in Santo Domingo and seen pro ball players. Dominicans are proud of their players. Check out the pictures below.
In addition to their love of the game, Dominican are great baseball players. One of the amazing things about Dominican Baseball is that there are a bunch of players in the major leagues. I have been to many games in Santo Domingo and seen pro ball players. Dominicans are proud of their players. Check out the pictures below.
Like most areas in the Dominican Republic drinking is welcomed at the ball parks. In fact, it amazed me to see entire bottles of whisky sold to spectators.
These pictures show how to purchase a bottle of whisky.
The buyers are first given the bottle to fill up their glasses to the desired amount. After their cups are full enough the liquor sales lady fills up a plastic bottle with the rest of the liquor.
I have a couple theories on this one. First, I think the sales lady wants to let the buyer "test" the liquor to make sure it is the exact brand or type they like. Second, I think the plastic bottle is to stop broken glass within the park.
I am not sure about either of my theories but they both seem pretty good to me.
These pictures show how to purchase a bottle of whisky.
The buyers are first given the bottle to fill up their glasses to the desired amount. After their cups are full enough the liquor sales lady fills up a plastic bottle with the rest of the liquor.
I have a couple theories on this one. First, I think the sales lady wants to let the buyer "test" the liquor to make sure it is the exact brand or type they like. Second, I think the plastic bottle is to stop broken glass within the park.
I am not sure about either of my theories but they both seem pretty good to me.
Seats directly behind home plate. These would probably cost a fortune in the USA but here in Santo Domingo they are doable.
As mentioned earlier, seeing major league players is fairly common. I believe this is the catcher for the Houston Astros.
By the way... do not make a major league player upset or you will get moved...
HNOS Guerero. This is one of the houses of Vladimir Guerreo. His property is huge and there are several residence.
I once heard a roomer that someone was killed in this house during a party when the participants started shooting into the air. I do not have any first hand knowledge but it surely does not surprise me.
I once heard a roomer that someone was killed in this house during a party when the participants started shooting into the air. I do not have any first hand knowledge but it surely does not surprise me.
One of the most amazing things about baseball in the Dominican Republic is that it is sort of an out for many young men. There are so many Dominican ball players who have made it big that many kids dream of doing the same.
If you really want to see the effects of baseball take a drive or walk around the mirador park in Santo Domingo any morning of the week. You will see groups of kids practicing baseball. The older kids are already "signed" by their trainers, who will take care of their room and board until they get drafted. These kids are trained and conditioned to play ball in the big leagues. Their trainers are in it for the business proposition. They make a percentage of what the kid gets paid.
I recently was able to talk to a young man who had been signed to the majors. He was signed to play for a major league team, but was only played in the minor league. His signing bonus was close to a million dollars. He went from having just about nothing to having a lot of money.
The nice part for many poor Dominican kids is there is actually an opportunity for them to work their way out of the poor barrios. The sad part is there are way too many who try and only a few who actually make it big. Even the ones who make it big often waste the money they are paid so when they are older they are back to their poor ways.
I know several retired major league players who live very poorly. They are happy to talk about baseball and they remember the days when they had money but they did not make the money do anything for them in the long run.
If you really want to see the effects of baseball take a drive or walk around the mirador park in Santo Domingo any morning of the week. You will see groups of kids practicing baseball. The older kids are already "signed" by their trainers, who will take care of their room and board until they get drafted. These kids are trained and conditioned to play ball in the big leagues. Their trainers are in it for the business proposition. They make a percentage of what the kid gets paid.
I recently was able to talk to a young man who had been signed to the majors. He was signed to play for a major league team, but was only played in the minor league. His signing bonus was close to a million dollars. He went from having just about nothing to having a lot of money.
The nice part for many poor Dominican kids is there is actually an opportunity for them to work their way out of the poor barrios. The sad part is there are way too many who try and only a few who actually make it big. Even the ones who make it big often waste the money they are paid so when they are older they are back to their poor ways.
I know several retired major league players who live very poorly. They are happy to talk about baseball and they remember the days when they had money but they did not make the money do anything for them in the long run.