Winter Baseball Gets Underway in DR!

Winter Baseball Gets Underway in DR!
Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic 10/18/2013

With games in the capital, Santiago and San Pedro de Macorís, the Dominican Professional Baseball League, Inc. got underway last night with the first pro baseball tournament of the 2013-14 season. The kickoff game was dedicated In Memoriam to Miguel Heded Azar.

To inaugurate the opening of the season, the Leones of Escogido have prepared a fabulous pre-game show that includes a special recognition of Moisés Alou, manager of the team that won the Classic World of Baseball 2013.
Winter Baseball 2013-2014

Licey and Escogido are playing at the Quisqueya Stadium at 7:30 pm; Águilas and the Gigantes in Cibao and the Toros and Estrellas in San Pedro de Macorís.

To inaugurate the opening of the season, the Leones of Escogido have prepared a fabulous pre-game show that includes a special recognition of Moisés Alou, manager of the team that won the Classic World of Baseball 2013.

Inaugural Ceremony

The Dominican baseball tournament got underway after having resolved a series of problems, unrelated to the teams, but that threatened the leagues’ stability for a short time.

The crises, which originated from the late opening of the winter season between the Major League and others in the league, was resolved so that the six teams will start playing today as they go after the crown the Leones de Escogido held for the past four years.

Tigres and the Águilas (Tigers and the Eagles), were tied as champs with 20 wins each but neither team had taken the trophy home as presidents and general managers came and went.

During this dead time, Miguel Guerra took over as president of Licey, and Kilvio Hernández took over for the Águilas.

Manny Acta and Stanley Javier were named general managers of the Tigres and the Águilas, respectively

Others elected team presidents during the recess were Luis Rodríguez Amiama of the Toros, Samir Rizek the Gigantes and Marcial Najri for Escogido.

For the first time in 50 years, Winston “Chilote” Llenas will not be around as player, manager, general manager nor president of the Cibao Eagles. He is now vice president of LIDOM (Dominican International League).

Last night before the game against the Gigantes in Cibao, the Eagles paid homage to Llenas.

Ángel Castro, the team’s workhorse for the past three seasons, will open against the Giants who are counting on their well-known player Kevin Pucetas.

The Lions of Escogido, the only team in the circuit with two three-way championships under their belts, will try for a fourth when the first pitch is thrown at 7:30.

All eyes will be on the Tigers of Licey who, on paper, have the best team of imported players.

The Tigers have has been structured by a man of baseball or the two-time leader of the Big Leagues and is close to winning the title again.

José Israel Contreras, veteran Cuban pitcher, has been designated by Mike Guerrero to face off today against the Lions who have American pitcher Sean Nolin in the box.

The opening ceremony will include a tribute to Moisés Alou and Tony Peña, managers of the Dominican team that won the World Baseball Classic. They will both throw out honorary first pitches.

The Estrellas Orientales, in the official In Memoriam ceremony for Miguel Heded, will take place at the Tetelo Vargas Stadium.

The Estrellas, who haven’t won a tournament in 45 years, will open with Greg Smith while Claudio Vargas opens for the Toros.

The ceremony will include a video of the late Licey president and a plaque to this family from Leonardo Matos Berrido, president of the Baseball League and the Commissioner of the Caribbean, Juan Francisco Puello Herrera.

Official Opening Game

TETELO VARGAS STADIUM

(7:20 PM) Welcome to the public…ORS.

(7:25 PM) Introduction of visiting team: they will all be called onto the field, including their reservists and coaches. They will line the third base line, between third and home. Then the players and managers will be called out. 

(7:30 PM) The Estrellas are introduced: they will all be called onto the field with their reservists and coaches and will line up between first base and home plate. Then the players and manager will be called onto the field.

(7:35 PM) Exchange of flowers between each teams’ godmothers.

(7:37 PM) Video of Miguel Heded

(7:40 PM) Plaque given to Miguel Heded Azar’s family from Leonardo Matos Berrido, president of the Professional Baseball League of the Dominican Republic, Inc., along with the Caribbean Baseball Commissioner Juan Francisco Puello Herrera.

(7:45 PM) Singing of the national anthem by the Leones de San Pedro de Macorís team choir.

(7:48 PM) Blessing

(7:51 PM) First pitch is thrown

(7:53 PM) Fireworks show

(8:00 PM) End of fireworks show