Baseball Everywhere.

It’s hard to walk through the streets of any town or city in the Dominican Republic and not see the influence of baseball—people playing pickup games with sticks on the beach, impromptu batting practice on neighborhood streets, little boys jogging in formation in baseball jerseys. Young baseball talent ripens all over the Dominican Republic, which is a starting point for more than 100 players now active in the U.S.’ major leagues — including such stars as the Dodgers’ Manny Ramirez and the Angels’ Vladimir Guerrero. In the D.R., the game is a way of life that began in the 19th century when Cubans, fleeing war at home, brought the game to their West Indies neighbor. As soon as you step off the all-inclusive resort you’re bound to see the influence of baseball on Dominican culture whether its in the form of pickup baseball games or in the abundance of Major League baseball caps and jerseys on the locals.