It’s about that time of the year again! Next Thursday, October 19 is starting the Dominican Winter League 2023/2024 and we can’t wait! If you are a baseball fan and staying in Punta Cana from late October till January, you could consider to enjoy this experience first hand!
In the Dominican Republic, baseball (called here “Pelota”) is more than simply a sport—it represents life, death, heaven and hell. Baseball is the national sport, it’s an attainable ticket out of poverty and every Dominican has a son, a nephew, a cousin or a brother who has, or has had, a shot at glory. For the young generation in fact, baseball symbolizes a dream and hope for a better future–with the possibility of becoming one of the world’s legendary Dominican baseball players. After all, it worked for Sammy Sosa, Pedro Martínez, David Ortiz, Robinson Canó, José Reyes, Juan Marichal and Bartolo Colón, among numerous others.
Consider this math: the Dominican Republic has a population less than that of metropolitan New York City, but has still produced an astonishing 517 Major League baseball players to date (more than any other non-U.S. country), with plenty more on the way.
Need more proof of the DR’s status as a baseball heavy-hitter? Founded in 1951, the Dominican Winter Baseball League (Pelota Invernal) is the product of more than a century of Dominican baseball history. Every year, the six-team league welcomes home their native sons, including big name MLB stars and those who are well on their way. It’s a chance for the players to give something back, feeding the dream machine of their loyal and passionate fans by appearing in the flesh.
The 50-game regular season runs from late October through late December, so if you are visiting the Dominican Republic or Punta Cana during these months and you’re a baseball fan, add this unique experience to your list! Going to a Dominican “juego de pelota” is about the game, but it’s also a lively part!
Each team plays a 50-game round-robin. The top four teams engage in another round-robin schedule with 18 games per team from the end of December to the end of January; the top two teams in those standings then play a best-of-nine series for the national title. The league’s champion advances to the Caribbean Series to play against the representatives from Mexico, Venezuela, Colombia, Panama and Puerto Rico
Ticket prices range from $10 to $20.
Here the 5 different stadiums where the games are played:
Estadio Francisco Michelli
Location: La Romana
Home park of the “Toros del Este”, this 10,000 seat stadium is located in the tourist region of La Romana, approximately one and a half hours from Punta Cana. It’s the closest stadium from Punta Cana.
Estadio Cibao
Location: Santiago
Home to las “Aguilas Cibaeñas”, winners of 20 national titles, this state-of-the-art stadium holds up to 18,000 fans. Located in the lush Cibao Valley, the stadium is approximately one hour south of Puerto Plata.
Estadio Tetelo Vargas
Location: San Pedro de Macoris
Known as the “Cradle of Shortstops” for its uncanny production of major leaguers, the mill town of San Pedro de Macoris is approximately two hours west of Punta Cana. Home park of las “Estrellas Orientales”, the town is the birthplace of notable stars including Robinson Cano, Alfonso Soriano, Sammy Sosa, Tony Fernandez and George Bell.
Estadio Quisqueya
Location: Santo Domingo
Quisqueya Stadium is home to both the “Leones del Escogido” (13 championships) and the “Tigres del Licey” (20 championships). Santo Domingo is approximately two and a half hours from Punta Cana, An overnight stay in the capital, including a day spent in its historic Zona Colonial, is worth the effort.
Estadio Julian Javier
Location: San Francisco de Macoris
Home field of the “Gigantes del Cibao”, located approximately three hours from Punta Cana.
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