In the IPL Academy Complex in Guerra, the Dominican Republic has become the stage where eleven youth baseball teams prepare for the Pan American U-18 Pre-Championship, with their sights set on the World Cup in China in 2027.
Intense Preparation and Dominican Hospitality
The teams arrived in the country and completed their official training sessions with batting and pitching sessions under the Caribbean sun. Players from Mexico, the United States, Brazil, Curacao, Cuba, Mexico, Nicaragua, Venezuela, Canada, Panama, and Puerto Rico have been immersed in local culture, which they highlighted as very welcoming and stimulating.
Mexico’s Goal and Players’ Experience
Team leader Enrique “Che” Reyes stated that his team “doesn’t come to compete, we come to win,” and noted that the group trained for 12 days before arriving in the country. Among the players is Alex Tolosa, a pitcher linked to the Cincinnati Reds, who brings experience from the professional league.
Defending Champion United States
The United States delegation arrives as the defending U-18 champion. Their roster includes high school students seeking to maintain their title on the continental stage.
Nicaragua and its Link to Dominican Baseball
Nicaragua’s pitching coach, Gustavo Martínez, is a native of the Dominican Republic, and team leader Ronald Garth, a former summer league player in the country, shares his experience with the group, highlighting the importance of local culture in athletic performance.
Canada and Dominican Baseball Tradition
Canadian team leader Greg Hamilton stated that the island is a great opportunity to learn and play against the best, emphasizing that his country has visited the territory every year since 1999 as part of baseball programs.
Puerto Rico and the Double Schedule
The Puerto Rican team will face Panama at 11:30 am and then play against Canada at 3:00 pm, with the intention of consolidating their position in the group.
Venezuela Bets on Unity
Prospect Adrián Crespo, linked to the Los Angeles Dodgers, highlighted the team’s unity as a key factor for the championship: “We are very united, always supporting each other. Every time we fail, we are always there supporting our teammates.”
Tournament Structure and Classification Opportunities
- Group A: Dominican Republic, United States, Brazil, and Curacao.
- Group B: Venezuela, Mexico, Cuba, and Puerto Rico.
- Group C: Colombia, Panama, Canada, and Nicaragua.
The two best teams from each group will advance to the super round, and the four teams with the best performance will earn their spot at the U-18 Baseball World Cup in China.
Transmission and Coverage
The matches will be broadcast by Grupo de Medios Panorama through VTV Canal 32, Panorama FM 96.9, Expreso 89.1 FM (Cibao region), and Baní FM 97.5. They are also available on Luna TV, Canal 25, Canal América 1014 of Optimum Cable (tristate area of the US) and online through Panorama.com.do and the VTV Canal 32 YouTube channel.
Credits: deultimominuto.com
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