Whether it's little, minor or major league, baseball has been dominating the U.S. sports industry for decades. However, before legends like Babe Ruth and Jackie Robinson appeared in the spotlight, the Caribbean was flooded with pro-level players batting, throwing, catching and running the bases.
Back in 1866, American sailors stationed on the island of Cuba taught natives the rules of the game of baseball. Following the Ten Years' War (also known as the Big War) in Cuba, baseball migrated to the Dominican Republic along with Cubans who were fleeing their country. Quickly nicknamed "beisbol" by the Dominican people, the sport was rapidly learned and became a passion. Today, traveling from one side of the country to the other presents national scores of baseball fields and stadiums, attesting to the Dominicans' love for the game.
The sport first turned competitive in the 1920s when baseball games began being played against neighboring countries. This competitiveness encouraged the establishment of the Dominican Baseball League. Four baseball teams were formed: Tigres del Licey and Leones del Escogido, both from Santo Domingo, Estrellas Orientales of San Pedro and the Las Aguilos Cibaeñas in Santiago. The popularity of professional baseball in the Dominican Republic ascended throughout the following years, but came to a halt in 1937 due to a financial downturn in the country. Meanwhile, amateur baseball evolved with Dominican teams competing with those from the U.S. and other Caribbean countries. The hiatus finally ended in 1951 with the return of professional baseball. Dominicans' idea of hosting amateur baseball in the summer and professional baseball during the winter months was generated, therefore giving the Caribbean the "home of winter baseball" title.
Today there are two additional teams in the country's professional baseball league: the Azucareros del Este from La Romana and the Gigantes del Cibao. Each season extends from the end of October through February, with the winner advancing to the Caribbean Series. At the series, the winning team of the Dominican Republic league plays against the champions of the Mexican, Venezuelan and Puerto Rican leagues.
With the rich baseball history and top talent that the country provides, it's no surprise that American Major League Baseball (MLB) is drafting Dominican players left and right. In fact, according to MLB, more than 30 percent of contracted players come from Spanish-speaking nations and the numbers continue to rise. Today MLB boasts 101 Dominican Republic players, including legendary Sammy Sosa of the Baltimore Orioles, Pedro Martinez and Jose Reyes of the NY Mets, Albert Pujols of the St. Louis Cardinals, Vladimir Guerrero and Bartolo Colon of the Los Angeles Angels, Manny Ramirez and David Ortiz of the Boston Red Sox and Alfonso Soriano of the Texas Rangers.
To the Dominican people, baseball is not only a sport, but a way of life. Players here put heart and soul into the sport. While some players advance professionally into the United States, others continue to compete in the Dominican Republic, and countless more play for fun. But regardless of where the Dominicans play baseball, the sport will always be an admirable and historical part of the country's culture.
Calendar of Games
Team Websites
For further information, contact the professional baseball league.