The group left behind the snow in Hanover and Norwich on Saturday night for a 9:30 pm flight from Boston to Santo Domingo. By all accounts, the trip went smoothly and despite a couple of delays, the boys arrived at the hotel tired but excited for the week ahead.
A 7:45am stroll to the breakfast buffet found two players already dining (award goes to Sam Loescher and Finn Ware), with others trickling in steadily behind. Shortly thereafter, Loescher was swimming in the ocean and the less ambitious boys were eating an assortment of eggs, breads, breakfast meats, pastries and fresh fruit.
We gathered in the lobby at 9am and walked to a nearby "field" for our first practice of the week. Upon arrival, everyone was surprised to see the poor conditions - trash littered the sides of the playing field and the field itself, an uneven playing surface with patchy grass (likely the work of the three goats grazing in left center field) and no backstop, no benches and fence. The group warmed up down the first base line and played catch, each errant throw punishing the receiving with a hunting expediation through tall grass littered with various pieces of trash.
The team was joined by a skinny Dominican player, who stood silently on the side unti invited to play catch with the group. He didn't have a glove, nor a bat, but was invited there by Arnoldrd Morrobel, one of our coaches for the week. Arnoldrd looks like the Terminator in both stature and facial features and he is one of many scouts in the Dominican who is constantly on the search for the next great player. This young man hustled on the field, but it was his skill and athleticism that stood out from the moment he released his first throw. Playing long toss with Jackson McBride, his arm strength and accuracy were impressive and his glove work on the uneven field during infield drills - as well as his smooth line drive stroke - only added to the intrigue. We later learned that he was a mere 13 years old and is likely to sign with an MLB team and join an Academy in the next week or so. He has every chance to look good in a professional uniform in a few years but would no doubt look great in a Hanover one this spring!
After practice, the boys got together and gifted him one of their extra gloves and he was ecstatic and appreciative. We also learned that just a few weeks ago, a pitcher was signed during a game on this very field and is now starting his own MLB journey.
As the team moved into infield drills, a local resident joined the practice, gathering overthrown balls and feeding the coaches. The joy the Dominicans have for baseball was evident to us within the first few hours on the island, as more "locals" gathered to watch practice and be around the game.
After, despite a few fumbled attempts, Will Hopkins nailed a celebratory handshake with our practice helper, who wished the boys well during their week on the island.
A much needed shower and quick lunch followed, then the team boarded the bus and traveled to the Red Sox-Rays game in Santo Domingo and it was treated to a wonderful afternoon at the ballpark. The energy of the fans and the spirit in the stadium made the game a bit livelier than one in the States. It was a much different example of the island residents' joy for baseball than the one we experienced in the morning but provided the team with another great experience just 13 hours into their trip.
Tomorrow will start with 7:30am beach workout with Dominican hopefuls, a recovery lunch and the team's first game, played in the 90-degree afternoon sun. Alex Boone will start on the mound and we will be joined by the remaining players - Allie Muirhead, Freddie Mierke, Wyatt Daigle and Jack Lobb - who are on a flight as this entry closes. A tough loss in the state championship basketball game will hopefully be softened by their arrival on this beautiful island and an amazing week of baseball that awaits.
Comments
Post a Comment