Ringo, the 15 yr old who lives with Antonio's family in the little pink house, takes pitching practice in the backyard of the orphahage. He had no ball, so was pitching rocks at the tree. The audience consists of Joel, Brian, Richi, and Richard.
Colon's stadium in his hometown. The stadium is great, but the kids are sharing gloves. They trade gloves between fielding turns. Fascintaing study of contrasts. The boy fielding right now is the best athlete on the rec league, and is playing in what looks like boat shoes that are a few sizes too big.
Here is the local basketball court in Aguas Negos, or BlackWater slum.
Before our boys arrived to play, it was mainly the older kids and a few older spectators. Often there is not a large crowd due to the threat of violence erupting during play. Here, the audience was a couple of people thick. Faces were alit. Notice the trash and rubbish in the background, combed through by the residents as it washes ashore. Searching for treasure.
Here is the basketball court at the orphanage. It is about a quarter court. Kate bought the net. Unless sara was teaching VBS, the court was happening. Friendships were solidified on this court. The third day at the orphanage, the bus ran over the second basketball so the kids played still with the busted ball. Amazingly, there was little if any fighting or scuffling over the balls. No whining whatsoever. Rare tears. No fits at all. No tantrums, not a single one.
Playtime at the orphanage. Some of the older kids are climbing the fence looking for baseballs and Frisbees. Antonio played with the goat to the amusement of the kids. This is their baseball field.
This is the basketball court at one of the Haitian villages. See the VIP section with the couches. Unfortunately, there is no basketball, so the court is silent now. The village is in a 50x50 foot patch surrounded by sugar cane fields. When Soto suggested that we try cane, kids (looked about 10 or so) got the machete and started running around cutting cane for us. No one yelled at them to be careful, slow down, you'll poke an eye out. (Or cut your head off) Amazingly, no one fell while running with a machete.
This is the baseball field at the other Haitina village.
There is some grass, but mainly dirt. No equipment to play with.
To learn more about Dominican baseball, follow the link to ESPNThemagazine below in their March issue about the poverty, oppurtunity, and harvest of players.
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