Of the countries I most often visit, the Dominican Republic is a fascinating thermometer of the rising international temperature of baseball. Situated two and a half hours by flight from Miami in the Caribbean alley known as the Greater Antilles, the Dominican Republic shares the island of Hispaniola with its western neighbor, Haiti. Its history […]
The Argentina Tango
In the latter part of the 19th century along the natural border between Argentina and Uruguay was born the most intimate of partner dances, the “Tango”. The organic growth of the tango from the lower districts of Buenos Aires to fashionable cities outside South America is testimony to the kinetic property of connecting people and […]
The ABC’s of Curacao Baseball
Just off the coast of Venezuela in the Caribbean Sea lies the tropical island paradise of Curacao. Known as the C in the ABC islands that make up the Leeward Antilles, Curacao along with its sister islands Aruba and Bonaire capture the rich history of European colonial influence. But it’s the influence of North America […]
In Search of Andes Diamonds
I’m looking out my window upon the initial decent announcement from the captain as the feint outline of Santiago, Chile comes into view. I’m immediately struck by the amazing picture of the orange glow of a new day breaking over the majestic Andes Mountains. Yes, it’s a new day for Chile amidst the shining snowcapped […]
Is Venezuela A Modern Day Mudville?
Baseball has long captured the attention and imagination of word professionals and none more than Ernest Lawrence Thayer, whom in 1888 wrote his immortal poem Casey at the Bat. The poem captures so much of baseball’s appeal by creating the drama of desperation’s hope and the pitch by pitch involvement of the crowd. And of […]
As the Baseball World Turns…For the Better
On August 3rd, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) announced the addition of baseball to the Olympic Games to be held in Tokyo, Japan in 2020. The impact for baseball is tremendous as global efforts to grow the game will find government assistance and cooperation in areas currently neglected.