DOMINICAN REPUBLIC, Oct. 13, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- In Dominican Republic, baseball—or simply "ball"—is a national passion that transcends age, gender and social status. Children and adults in every corner of the country share immense pride in their national teams, and starting this month, visitors can seize the unique opportunity to witness the country's most beloved sport firsthand.

The 2016-2017 season for the Dominican Republic Professional Baseball League (LIDOM) begins Oct. 20. The country's six teams will compete during the regular season until Dec. 21 before the round robin semi-finals from Dec. 27 through Jan. 17. The finals begin Jan. 19, ending with one victorious Dominican team that will advance to play in the Caribbean Series against champions from Cuba, Mexico, Puerto Rico and Venezuela.

"Baseball is woven into the fabric of Dominican culture and we are proud of the contributions of so many talented players from our country," said Magaly Toribio, Marketing Advisor for the Dominican Republic Ministry of Tourism. "With our major teams in or near many of our major tourist destinations, we invite all visitors to Dominican Republic to experience the heart and passion that goes into the sport during one of our winter league games."

Tourists seeking an authentic Dominican baseball experience can easily find a game, with five stadiums located throughout the country and games scheduled for most days of the week. Stadiums are located in the cities of Santo Domingo, Santiago, San Pedro de Macorís and La Romana—a short drive away from nearby Punta Cana.

Baseball games in Dominican Republic usually start at 7:30 p.m. On Saturdays and Sundays, games start at 5 p.m. Tickets prices range from 350 to 750 pesos ($8.00 - $18.00) and can be purchased at the ballparks or in some local stores. The full schedule for the season is available at http://www.lidom.com.

Many LIDOM players go on to play in U.S. Major League Baseball. As of opening day for the 2016 MLB season, 238 of 864 players were born outside of the United States. Since 1995, Dominican Republic accounts for the largest percentage of those players with 83 – representing 35 percent of all foreign players and 10 percent of all MLB starters. This is particularly impressive for a country with a population no larger than that of Ohio, and an area that is half the size of Indiana.

Standout MLB players from Dominican Republic over the years have included Baseball Hall of Famer San Francisco Giants' Juan Marichal and of the trio of Pedro Martinez, Manny Ramirez and David "Papi" Ortiz that propelled the Boston Red Sox to win the legendary World Series in 2004.

THE HISTORY OF BASEBALL IN DOMINICAN REPUBLIC

For over 100 years, baseball has been at the center of cultural life in the Dominican Republic. Though the origins of baseball in the Dominican aren't exactly known, historians suggest that baseball first came to the island around the 1880s. Though it is a historical misconception that American Marines brought the game to the island during the 1916 invasion, the United States did play an integral, though indirect, role in bringing baseball to the country.

The first baseball teams on the island were formed either in the year 1894 or 1895. By the 1920′s, Dominican teams were competing against other Caribbean countries and teams in North America. The game enjoyed most of its popularity in the southeast of the country, where generations involved in the sugarcane industry learned the sport during seasonal down time.

The sugarcane factory owners actually encouraged employees to participate in the sport and gave financially to the practice of this game. This area of the country still produces the greatest number of players who go on to play professionally. In fact, there are more Dominican players in the minor and major American leagues than there are of all other players of Caribbean nationality combined. All major league teams have training camps in the Dominican Republic to scout and train players for professional potential. As it has each year since MLB began releasing annual data in 1995, the Dominican Republic continues to lead the Major Leagues with the most representatives from any one country.

Whether you're a lifelong baseball fan or curious to check out a game, Dominican Republic has it all. For information on baseball, hospitality options, local excursion providers, natural attractions and more, visit www.GoDominicanRepublic.com.

About Dominican Republic
Surrounded by the Atlantic Ocean on the north and the Caribbean Sea on the south, our lush tropical and paradisiacal country boasts nearly 1,000 miles of coastline, magnificent resorts and hotels, and a variety of sports, recreation and entertainment options. Here you can dance to the pulse pounding thrill of the merengue, renew in our luxurious and diverse accommodations, explore ancient relics of centuries past, delight in delicious Dominican gastronomy or enjoy ecotourism adventures in our magnificent national parks, mountain ranges, rivers and beaches.

Known for our warm and hospitable people, Dominican Republic is a destination like no other, featuring astounding nature, intriguing history and rich cultural experiences like music, art and festivals, plus uniquely Dominican specialties such as cigars, rum, chocolate, coffee, merengue, amber and larimar.

Dominican Republic features the best beaches, fascinating history and culture, and is a chosen escape for celebrities, couples and families alike.  Visit Dominican Republic Ministry of Tourism's official website at: www.GoDominicanRepublic.com.

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CONTACT:
BVK Public Relations for DR Ministry of Tourism
Annie Holschuh, US PR Director
(414) 247-2140 / annie.holschuh@bvk.com

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SOURCE Dominican Republic Ministry of Tourism