NO HUMP TODAY – EXPERIENCING JOY ON THE ISLAND


Today’s activities started with a short drive to a remote part of Boca Chica (where we are staying) that was much different and less vibrant that the beachfront location we have used as our home base since arriving. We were dropped off on a dusty road and walked through a series of narrow walkways into a neighborhood of corrugated metal structures, which served as houses for the families who lived there.  The set-up was dense, with little more than small yards distinguishing the property lines.  We came upon what looked like an elongated shed and realized this is the structure we would be painting – blue as the main color with white trim. The kids – and a few of the parents – went to work and beautified the house, transforming its appearance within 90 minutes.  As the boys painted, curious children from the neighborhood gathered and watched, building up the courage to ask the players for various items – a pair of sunglasses, a hat, a bracelet, etc. and Hanover's finest responded generously with their belongings.  We also donated a dozen baseballs and 20+ Hanover Baseball t-shirts during our visit.   The family was happy with their newly painted house, the neighborhood children were happy with their new clothes and the players were happy to have made a small difference.






The middle of the day provided an opportunity for some well-deserved R&R and the players took full advantage, swimming in the ocean and laying on the beach until mid-afternoon, when we walked to another nearby field for practice.

This practice was run by coaches from the Dodgers and Mets Dominican Academies and the level of instruction was incredible.  The coaches broke down the finer points of infield and outfield play as well as catching before ending with batting practice and some more hands-on coaching.  The most incredible part of the session was not necessarily the coaching (although that was amazing), but the droves of neighborhood children who showed up at the field to participate as well.  At least 60 players, ranging in age from 8 to 16, stood on the field to shag balls and engage with the Hanover players.  Whether it was teasing each other in Spanish or working on their “Soto Shuffle” (Jacobi Marotti is SO LUCKY that was not captured on video), or simply shagging balls with friends and “gringos”, the pure delight they displayed was infectious and left a lasting impression on the Hanover players.








 Those on the trip are definitely learning valuable lessons and as discussed at our team meeting tonight, finding joy in the simple things – whether it is receiving a small gift or playing baseball on a sun-drenched field – has become something they will carry forward once back home in the Upper Valley.

(Oh yeah, and we of course celebrated Peter Loescher's birthday in true Dominican spirit!)

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