Did you know that baseball is the national sport of the Dominican Republic? Discover how the church, sugar mills, and Trujillo's influence helped shape the country's deep connection to the game and learn why San Pedro de Macorís has earned its reputation as a cradle for producing numerous Major League Baseball stars.
St. Ana
Baseball's first support in Consuelo can be contributed to the church. Consuelo, in small town in San Pedro de Macorís, used to have a small airport where the planes were primally used to spray pesticide over the sugar cane and for transportation to export the finished product. One day, an incident occurred that would forever leave its mark on Consuelo’s history. The wife of the sugar mill's general manager was aboard a small plane flying over the town. Mid-flight, the aircraft began experiencing serious mechanical issues, and panic set in. Fearing for her life, the woman turned to her faith. She fervently prayed to Santa Ana, promising that if she survived and landed safely, she would build a church in honor of the saint. Miraculously, the plane managed to land without incident, and true to her word, the woman fulfilled her vow.
One of the earliest leaders of the church in Consuelo, Father Joseph Ainslie, was a man of remarkable insight and creativity. He noticed a particular enthusiasm among the local children that loved playing sports. Father Joseph made an announcement that sparked excitement throughout the town: if children came to the church to learn about the word of God, they would receive the equipment to play baseball. This was highly popular.
Consuelo's Sugar Mill
After the church, corporations began supporting baseball throughout the country. Consuelo's Sugar Mill, which was one the biggest in the country, used to be a great supporter of baseball, by paying for tournaments and sponsoring players. Some of the great players of the 80s and 90s from Consuelo used to work part time in the sugar mill before heading to the baseball field in the afternoon.
The Sugar Mill in Consuelo ceased operations in 2006, a closure that can be attributed to a combination of economic and systemic factors. One major challenge was the rising cost of transporting sugar from the Dominican Republic to international markets, which made the product less competitive as global sugar production expanded. Additionally, corruption within the industry played a significant role in its decline.
During Rafael Trujillo's dictatorship, sugar mills became a focus of government control. Many mills were forcibly acquired by the regime, with Trujillo using these acquisitions to consolidate power and wealth. The process was rife with mismanagement and exploitation, as government officials often inflated expenses—such as overstating the quantity of sugarcane purchased—to siphon funds for personal gain. This corruption undermined the industry’s sustainability, weakening its foundations even after Trujillo’s rule ended.
Side note: During Trujillo's rule, he renamed Santo Domingo to "Ciudad Trujillo" where he created the team Dragones de Ciudad Trujillo in 1937, which was a temporary merge of Licey and Escogido teams. Players from the Pittsburgh Crawfords were bought out which were attracted by better pay, fewer games to play, and no segregation in the Dominican. (The color line in the United States was not broken until 1947.) It is considered one of the best baseball teams in the history of the country but was disbanded soon after due to overspending.
The impACTA kids foundation
When the sugar mill in Consuelo closed its doors in 2006, the community lost more than an economic cornerstone—it lost one of its strongest supporters of local baseball. For decades, the mill had sponsored tournaments, supplied equipment, and nurtured the dreams of young players, many of whom went on to make a name for themselves in the sport. With its closure, a vital lifeline for baseball in the area was severed.
Recognizing the void left behind, former Major League Baseball manager Manny Acta stepped in to fill the gap. In 2007, he founded the ImpActa Kids Foundation, an organization dedicated to empowering children through education and sports. Acta, who currently serves as the bench coach for the Seattle Mariners and previously managed the Washington Nationals and Cleveland Indians, drew from his own experience growing up in the Dominican Republic to shape the foundation’s mission.
At the heart of the ImpActa Kids Foundation is a simple yet powerful philosophy: education comes first, and sports follow as a tool for personal growth and opportunity. By prioritizing learning, the foundation equips children with the skills and knowledge they need to succeed in life, while baseball serves as a way to instill discipline, teamwork, and resilience.
Today, the foundation is a beacon of hope for the community. It provides a safe and nurturing environment where 300 to 500 children can play baseball, learn, and grow away from the negative influences that often plague underserved areas. The baseball fields managed by the foundation have become a second home for many kids.
Baseball Today
The Dominican Republic Professional Baseball League, also known as LIDOM, is a premier winter baseball league that brings the country to life during the offseason of Major League Baseball. This unique scheduling is how I found myself at a thrilling baseball game in early January. The league features six competitive teams: Tigres del Licey and Leones del Escogido from Santo Domingo, Estrellas Orientales from San Pedro de Macorís, Gigantes del Cibao from San Francisco de Macorís, Águilas Cibaeñas from Santiago, and Toros del Este from La Romana.
I was rooting for Tigres del Licey, the oldest team in the league, founded in 1907. My allegiance was partly due to their rich history—but mostly because blue happens to be my favorite color! Unfortunately, it wasn’t Licey’s day, as they fell to their rivals with a tough 1-8 loss.
Art and Baseball
Strolling near the Plaza in the Zona Colonial, you’ll often encounter the vibrant energy of street performers bringing life to the historic city. Among them is an artist who has created a captivating character known as "Peloterodorado," which translates to "The Golden Baseball Player." Dressed in shimmering gold from head to toe, this living statue is a striking homage to baseball—a sport deeply woven into the fabric of Dominican culture. Beyond celebrating the game itself, Peloterodorado honors the countless Dominican players who have made significant contributions both on and off the field, shining a light on their talent and the pride they bring to their country.
The performer behind Peloterodorado shared his mission: to bring joy, particularly to the children who pass by. "When they smile, I know I’ve made a difference," he said, emphasizing the simple yet profound impact of spreading happiness. For many, his presence is more than a performance—it’s a reminder of the unity and pride baseball fosters within the Dominican Republic.
Lastly, I end on this beautiful mural that was painted on the walls of San Pedro de Macorís, in which the number 23 represents the area code for the region. I would have never imagined that baseball in the Dominican holds so much from its past with influences from the church, the sugar mills, and Trujillo's regime. And whether through a golden statue, a vibrant mural, or a child’s first swing of the bat, the love for baseball shines brightly, making it an integral part of the Dominican Republic’s identity.
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