Baseball

Baseball is not just the national sport; it’s the national obsession. The country is famous for producing some of the world’s best players. Many Dominicans follow the Dominican teams religiously from the end of October through January and in the off-season turn their attentions to the U.S. season.

Many “hometown” boys who spent their lives playing stickball in the streets go on to hone their skills playing for the Dominican teams and then, with any luck, get snatched up by Major League Baseball teams from the United States, so watching American baseball can give a great sense of national pride.

If you are in town during the baseball season, it would be a shame to miss such a huge piece of Dominican culture and identity; see a game at the Estadio Quisqueya (Av. Tiradentes at San Cristóbal, tel. 809/540-5772, RD$300–800). Vendors roaming the stands sell snacks like empanadas, Presidente beer, and ice cream (other refreshments are sold inside). Experiencing a game in this stadium is a quick way to get to know complete strangers. Excited hugs often are exchanged with whomever is nearest when a good play is made. A lively marching band makes its way through the stadium, with a wake of dancing folks behind them. It is a great example of how happy and passionate Dominicans are in general.

There are six teams in the Dominican Republic [1], and two call Santo Domingo [2] home base—the Tigres del Licey (Tigers of Licey) and Leones de Escogido (Lions of the Chosen One). The rivalry between the two is similar to that of the New York Yankees and Boston Red Sox. You can usually get tickets just by showing up before the game. Game times are 5 p.m. Sunday and 8 p.m. Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday.