Day 1
When we got to the airport in the Dominican Republic the whole team had a different attitude then when we left. All of us were excited to enjoy the warm weather and great baseball that was to come. Waiting for the bus we could tell that the weather and the atmosphere would make for an awesome trip. When we got to the resort it was more of the same: excitement to be there and wondering if we would ever want to come back to Pennsylvania. After having lunch and wondering what food was good or bad, we walked around the resort and down the beach. On the way back we walked through the town of Boca Chica. That is when we started to realize what baseball really meant to the people down there. We stopped at a field right behind the resort and saw crowded stands for what seemed like just a regular adult league game. Everyone down there is a baseball fan. Baseball is a way of life for them. After we watched the first inning we headed back to the resort and got ready for practice. We went to a complex and all we saw was major league logos. We came to find out that these fields are where major league teams hold camps and look for potential prospects. It was a cool experience playing on fields that current major league players could have previously played on. After practice we went back to the resort to unwind and get a much needed break after a long day of travel.
Day 2
The next morning we finally got a chance to see what the Dominican Republic’s baseball talent looked like. We arrived at the field around 8:30 in the morning and I was shocked to see that every field we passed was already being used. It was crazy to see how fanatical everyone was about baseball. There were kids who had been out there for a couple hours already when we got there. Baseball is more than just a game to them; it is a way to better their life. All the towns we drove through and all of the areas we passed were very poverty stricken. One of the only ways to get out of the poverty cycle was baseball. The kids would start playing when they were four or five years old and practice all day every day. It was really cool to see how baseball dominated their lives. When we got a chance to play our first couple games it was apparent that all of their practicing paid off. The game seemed to come natural to everyone we played against. They made everything look so easy. It was also cool to see how much fun all the teams had just playing baseball. Sometimes we take for granted how lucky we are to be able to play, but everyone down their cherished their time on the field. It was an opportunity for them to hang out with their friends, escape everything they have going on, and just have fun. Even when they made a mistake it didn’t bother them at all. They were just there to enjoy themselves. They played baseball the way it should be played; with enthusiasm and enjoyment. On a side note, it was awesome to see the Pirates Outfielder Starling Marte take batting practice before our game.
Day 3
Another day of 80 degrees and sunshine. The entire trip was perfect baseball weather. At this point I think the food at the resort was just starting to get to us (or me at least). Every meal was the same. You had rice, beans, and your choice of chicken or hotdogs and occasionally a burger mixed in. Eating that three times per day for five days got a little old. Nonetheless we were still in paradise. The game in the morning showed again how great their baseball talent was down there. I have a feeling they were taking it easy on us and not playing their best players, but they were still better than almost anything we have seen in the U.S. The game was secondary to the experience of their way of life and their culture. After the game we finally had a chance to go to the beach. I have never seen whiter sand or clearer waters. I could have spent the entire trip on the beach. Not very often do you get to comfortably swim in the ocean in January (at least not in Pennsylvania). All the guys had a great time at the beach. There was so much to do. The resort offered free snorkeling, kayaking, volleyball, and just about anything else you wanted to do. The water was a perfect temperature; warm enough were you didn’t get a shiver in the wind, but cold enough to relieve you from the sun. A lot of guys swam out to a separate island that was within swimming distance. I just wanted to lie out in the sun. Either way everyone had a blast. That night we got to have another great experience at a Dominican Winter League playoff game. The game was something that I had never seen before. It had the atmosphere of a major league baseball game mixed with high school football mixed with a party. Walking in to the stadium was like walking in to a major league park. There were thousands of seats and every single one was filled. The playing surface was pristine and the players were amazing. The actual playing wasn’t as shocking as the rest of the experience. There was a marching band playing in the stands behind us, there were dancers in between innings, and the public address announcer was yelling enthusiastically over the microphone. It was incredible. Everyone in the stadium had a great time.
Day 4
Waking up the next morning was tough because of how exhausted we all were from a day on the beach and the excitement of the game. We played yet another super talented team that loved to play the game. After the game we got to spend another day at the beach. Many of us bonded over a few games of beach volleyball. Although I wasn’t one of the better volleyball players it was great to see that Coach Butler was just as bad. He definitely wanted to win, but he wasn’t really helping. That night we spent a nice dinner on the beach. Although the food was more of the same, the atmosphere and the team bonding made it the best meal of the week.
Day 5
It was a somber day because we knew it was the last day in paradise. However, we were excited to play on the field behind the resort and play against professional players. It is cool to think that some of the guys we played against could be in the major leagues in a year or two. Guys like Jomar Reyes (the #20 prospect for the Orioles) and Michael De Leon (one of the Rangers top prospects) were great guys to be around and even better baseball players. Even though we lost we played a very competitive game against guys much better than us. I was proud of how the team played the whole week. Our game with them was a big deal in the town. The bleachers were filled, the fans were excited, and the mayor even came by to throw the “first pitch” (even if it was in the third inning). It goes back to the fact that baseball is a way of life for them, and playing or even just watching a game at 9:30 in the morning is just something you do. After the game we were able to run a clinic for the local kids. It was awesome seeing how excited they were to see us. Although the language barrier was tough to teach them a whole lot, all the campers and players had a great time. There were even a couple kids who spoke very good English. It was an awesome experience. I think the best part of the trip was giving back to everyone we played against. After every game (and the clinic) we gave away shirts, gloves, bats, cleats, or whatever we had to the people down there. The look of appreciation on their faces made the entire trip and all the work that went into it worth it. Giving back to the kids and players down there meant the most out of the whole trip. After spending a little more time at the beach (or some guys at the pool), it was time to go home. Our trip finally game to an end and we had to head back to Pennsylvania where there was snow on the ground and it was 14 degrees. I guess it feels good to be back. Kind of.
