PLAYER REFLECTIONS
Below are some thoughts from the players on their week in the Dominican Republic.
JACK LOBB, SOPHOMORE
This trip showed me how some players have almost no resources and can still find a deep love for the game. I feel like we as a team can take their spirit about the game and apply it to ours, loving and appreciating every moment we get on the field.
SEAN NAM, JUNIOR
During my time in the Dominican Republic, I was really surprised at the joy everybody had for baseball, whether it was individually or as a collective. In my conversations in broken Spanish with Dominican coaches and players, I could sense how much baseball meant to everyone in the DR. One young catcher excitedly spoke about how he could already make the throw from home to second base, despite only being 12 years old. Another young player begged me to play catch with him so he could show me his fastball. When our team arrived early at a local field for a morning game, we were greeted by shouts and the pop of balls hitting bats and mitts, sounds telling us that we weren't the first ones there. I thought I knew how to enjoy the game of baseball, but I was obviously mistaken. Even the major league coaches spoke about the game as if they had just discovered baseball's magic. I remember Coach Diaz of the Dodgers in particular demonstrating outfield drills and explaining the benefits with a grin on his face. Through this trip, I'll take back with me the joy that everyone in the DR expressed while playing baseball. Up here in New Hampshire, we players play on better fields and with better equipment, yet we often lack the joy that I saw during the trip. I hope that this experience will allow me and the team to express similar joy while we play, even if that be in 45-degree and rainy weather.
HAYDEN AVARD, SOPHOMORE
Throughout the great trip to the Dominican Republic, I learned a lot about myself and the culture in the D.R. The Dominican culture is a lot less fortunate than that of Hanover and seeing the different lifestyle truly opened my eyes to the rest of the world (I believe Jim said something about around 90% of the world lives like this). The people may not have the resources or valuables that we have, but they do not lack in the happiness category. They are the happiest and friendliest people I have ever met, greeting me in every scenario and trying to connect with me. This is very different from the culture in Hanover or the U.S where no one is interested in each other, no one stopping to say good morning or “hello”. I’d like to bring that piece of culture back to the States. I'm going to try to be friendlier to the people in my life. The self-discovery of this trip ties back into the topic of being grateful. I’m very fortunate to have a nice home and a warm place to sleep at night, I have access to whatever food I want and a car to drive, among many other things. Although I may try to begin to thank everyone for these things, I do not try hard enough. I take many things for granted in my life and that is unacceptable; luckily for me, it is not too late to start being more appreciative. The Dominican people have very little and yet they are just thankful to be alive, they start the day and attack it with full force, leaving behind no regrets. I’d like to approach my own life more like them.
Over the course of the trip, I learned many things about my baseball performance and career as well. After working with the Mets catching coach, I have gained significant knowledge on stances and the importance of them. I now know five helpful stances for throwing runners out. I haven’t mastered these stances yet so it will take time to see their usage in game. In the game I found myself striking out looking on outside fastballs at high velocities. I need to get out of my head and swing the bat more, ultimately having a more aggressive approach. As for my career I’d like to start thinking about my future in the game. After seeing all these players my age continue with their dreams, I’d like to do the same. I’ve always wanted to play collegiate baseball and feel that if I keep working hard, I will reach my goal. The Dominican work ethic on and off the field is truly inspiring. If I would like to play baseball in college, I need to adapt this to my own life, putting in the work everyday whether that be in the cage, on the field/turf, or in the weight room. I also need to apply myself in school and take care of my body and mind to better myself and chances of reaching my goal.
FINN
WARE, JUNIOR
My biggest takeaway from the trip to the Dominican Republic was every player's eminence, joy, and gratitude for baseball. During our practice with the LA Dodgers Academy coaches, if any player missed a ball or made an error, the coaches would brush it off by saying, "That happens" and moving on. This ability to move on was evident in the player's enthusiasm towards each game. Throughout our games in the DR no matter if the team was losing 9-1 or winning 2-1 there was always this energy and gratitude towards the game. Players would be dancing and singing in the dugout, backing each other up, and never letting a bad play dictate their next. Throughout the trip, it was made clear to me that baseball was more than just a game to most of these players.
FREDDIE MIERKE, SENIOR
First off, I just want to say this was one of the best travel experiences I've ever had, and definitely the best baseball experiences I've ever had. Experiencing the joy and energy behind baseball in the Dominican was an incredible time that now allows me to love the game even more, combine that with the welcoming and positive attitude that the country seemed to radiate is what really made this trip special.
Getting to travel to the Dominican Republic with my baseball team was great not only because we got to tan on the beach for a week, but it allowed everyone to become so much closer and to gain a great feel for such a different vibrant culture and community in the Dominican Republic. I personally loved the sense of community there and learned a lot about myself and to be more open to difference and change. The main takeaway I got from this trip was to maintain a positive attitude and look more on the bright side as everyone in the Dominican Republic had such positive attitudes no matter their situations. I just hope to be more like them. Now I just want to thank everyone who made this possible from all the people who supported us in the US, those who made it possible for us to go and to all the amazing people and coaches in the DR who welcomed us and taught us a whole bunch of new things about baseball and about the World.
ALLIE MUIRHEAD,
SOPHOMORE
Pretty much everything, from the climate to the trash on the street to the wild bus driver really stuck with me from the trip. However, if I had to pin one thing that resonates with me it would be the passion for baseball that defied any language barrier. I was struck by how happy the Dominican players were to be playing us and how many of them would ask about where I’m from. The people on the beach and workers at the hotel all appreciated my Rafael Devers jersey and would tell me about their relatives playing ball in the United States. Despite the people not being so well off, they were so grateful for the game. I think that our team can echo that gratitude to be playing the game and passion for it this season and beyond.
JACKSON MCBRIDE, SENIOR
What stood out most to me during my endeavors in the Dominican Republic was how the difference in languages never created a barrier for communication or the spread of joy and well-being. Having taken French since seventh grade, I went into the trip knowing absolutely no Spanish aside from the word “hola,” but would soon learn that this would have zero impact on how fun and valuable this trip could be.After arriving at the hotel at 5:00am on Sunday, we woke up at 8:00am for our first practice. Upon arrival at the worn-down local field in Boca Chica, I was greeted by a 13-year-old young man named Miguel, asking to be my catch partner. Miguel spoke no English and I spoke no Spanish. This naturally provided a rather awkward first encounter trying to figure out who would position himself on the foul line to play catch. After throwing, Miguel and I took ground balls together and in between reps, Miguel demonstrated to me how to be more fluid in my backhand using short phrases that I had no idea how to decipher. Throughout the week, Miguel would continue to be with our team at games and practices, and as my Spanish improved, I began to understand a few of his phrases, and would respond in two- or three-word answers that he would often laugh at but understand my general message. Miguel showed up at the end of the week having taught himself a bit of English so we could continue to communicate, a gesture that I found so kind. We ended up sharing more games of catch, and after hitting a leadoff double our third game, celebrated with a dap-up, and a jump in the air bumping arms with Miguel. Miguel has a chance to play in the MLB one day, and I will remember our interactions, his generosity, and his joyfulness for the game of baseball for the rest of my life,
Whether it be in saying “que lo que,” a Dominican colloquialism, to greet opposing players or people, motioning to a server for a certain drink and responding with “gracias,” or using google translate to communicate with the KC Royals Academy players while teaching them English, language was never a barrier in taking away the great lessons and experiences the trip provided.
Being in the DR for a week was an eye-opening experience. Things we take for granted in NH like clean drinking water, houses with plumbing, air conditioning etc… Most of these things are so far out of reach for the Dominican kids that it never crosses their minds. The biggest takeaway from this trip for me was seeing firsthand how lucky I am to live where I live with all the things that I have.
WILL HOPKINS, JUNIOR
What I learned from this trip is how a lot of people from the Dominican Republic have so little but so much. When we went to hand out hygiene kits, the people that received them were so grateful and it put a big smile on their faces. What I also noticed was that even though some were living in houses made from sheet metal, they were still happy. They were playing cards with friends or just talking, and I felt a big sense of community and togetherness. I was with our bus driver, and he was from the town and it seemed like he knew everybody and everyone was happy to see him. For them community is extremely important, and now that I’m home I hope that I can take what I learned about their community and put it into my day-to-day life.JACOBI MAROTTI, SOPHOMORE
The main thing that I took away from the trip was how far pure hard work can carry you. The dedication and determination of the players in the Dominican Republic, at such a young age, was extremely impressive. They don’t have the best training equipment or gear, yet they get around that by simply working incredibly hard. Yes, many of the players were very physically gifted, but it was striking to see the direct correlation between beach workouts, running, and just living baseball and talent. Talent is only exposed through hard work. For example, the kid we played with throughout the week, including on the rough field on day one, was not a huge guy, in fact he was fairly small and skinny. However, during batting practice, he was spraying line drives and fly balls across the park. He showed that hard work directly leads to in game success.
SAM LOESCHER, SENIOR
One of the many things that stand out from our week is the culture of positivity and gratitude that seems nearly ubiquitous in the DR. It seemed like down there everyone was smiling, laughing, and generally enjoying each moment. This was most evident on the baseball field, where the kids, coaches, and fans all seemed to have nowhere they would rather be than watching us DII New Hampshire baseball players compete against locals. I could go on only discussing the tangible love for baseball in the DR, but I’m sure that others on the team will write about that as well.
While perhaps slightly less obvious, the appreciation of whatever the moment holds, which was exemplified on the baseball fields, existed everywhere in the DR. I’m sure this is an oversimplification, but it seemed like everyone was just having a good time. Whether it was the cleaning people in the airport bathroom all singing together as they worked at 4:00 am, the bus drivers honking hello at one another, or the kids on the verge of tears from laughter over my wide-brimmed hat (which in their estimation made me look like a grandma), an appreciation for each moment, especially those shared with others, seemed like the rule rather than the exception.
The juxtaposition between this enjoyment and the actual
tasks being completed also must be noted. Those singing airport workers must
have been utterly exhausted, if I were one of those bus drivers I would have a
panic attack daily from the conditions of the Dominican cars and roads, and
those kid laughed at me as I was painting their house, which was constructed
from corrugated sheet metal and likely lacked safe drinking water.
I reflect with amazement on the joie de vivre of a people who largely have so little. I am filled with gratitude for the opportunity to have experienced this remarkable facet of Dominican culture, through the above-mentioned moments and many more.
HENRY ANDERSON, SOPHOMORE
The thing about the trip that stood out the most to me was getting perspective on how lucky we are to have what we have compared to Dominican kids. There are so many things we take for granted that would make someone there’s day, like getting a couple bucks and some new soap. And yet even though they are deprived of what we think of as simple things, they seem just as happy, if not more than us. Next time I have a little inconvenience in my life, I’ll stop to think about how insignificant it is in the grand scheme of and try to have a more joyful, Dominican mindset.
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