Dominican Ball Players in Canada

"Old dream, new home
For many Latinos, baseball's a path to a better life ? even if it means freezing your butt off in Canada


JENNIFER QUINN
SPORTS REPORTER

It's dark, and Juan Jose Gonzales is wearing sunglasses.

The sunglasses are because he's cool; the coat is because he's cold. His hands are stuffed way down in his pockets, and he's in Trois-Rivi?res and he's from the Dominican Republic and he's freezing......"
Copyright 1996-2003. Toronto Star Newspapers Limited.



this article was one of three in a series about the CBL printed in the toronto star about 2 weeks ago. the other 2 parts must have been archived all ready other wise i would post their links as well. it was an interesting series/

mob

see the scary Washington Post piece

Keep them off the juice!!!

Is Victoria?

I am Dominican living outside the country for a long time, though. But I visiting Toronto next month and I wouldn't mind coming to see a ball game, espcially if there are Dominican players. Could tell me if Victory is close to Toronto? or if I could drive from Toronto to there? Thanx

corecto, the closest teams are in London, about 2 hrs west of Toronto and in Niagara Falls 3+ hours west. Victoria is on Vancouver Island on the west coast of Canada.

btw, London is currently in first place.

mob

Corecto,

There's a park at Lawrence and Keele in Toronto, where local Dominicans gather and play baseball every Sunday. I don't have the name of the park, but from what my friend told me, it's easy to find. After the game, beer and a barbeque. It's not the Blue Jays game, but I hear it's a lot of fun. Maybe someone from Toronto reading this board might know the name of the park.

Calgary's CBL team is doing very well, a big reason why is because of the Dominicans on the team. There are 7 Dominicans, 2 Puerto Ricans, and one Panamanian. It is a league rule that every CBL team must have at least 5 Canadian players, however the Latinos are clearly outshining our natives. My husband knew a couple of the Dominicans on the team from playing in the DR, and we have season tickets for all the games...they are great fun, and very exciting, many of the players have played in the big leagues. For more info, visit:



http://www.canadianbaseballleague.com


ETA: Planner's mention of watching them adjust is so true...many of them have been starving, because they don't like Canadian food...we've had them over a few times for some good ol' Dominican cooking.

Hi Planner! I have said to my husband many times that I need to take him to Victoria, because it's beautiful...I love your city. The summers are so busy, as my son plays AAA Little League and my husband plays on 3 baseball teams, then the touraments, and we try to get to every Outlaw game in Calgary...then there's the Stampede next week... But my son will be finished this week, so maybe we'll be able to breathe a little again soon.

I'm glad you've adopted some players, I think they're finding it pretty lonely here. If they can extend their visas, a couple may stay with us over the winter. It's so great having them around...I miss the DR so much...

E-mail me, I lived in Sosua and have family there, maybe I can help you make some contacts!

PS
I'd like to talk to you more about the CBL...the team management here hasn't been living up to their end of the deal, and I'm wondering if the same things are happening to the players in Vic. We've talked to the Saskatoon Dominican players, and all seems well there, but not here in Calgary.

Hey, Planner, I live in Victoria, too, and I am a Capitals fan--go Caps go (hey, who cares if they are in the bottom of the league!--I'm a huge sports fan and have always support the local sports clubs!) Hey--were you at Sunday's game (June 22) against Calgary--what a wicked crowd that was! Very vocal and rude to the home plate umpire, eh! Fun though!--he sure deserved it for some of those calls he made--oh well--fans will be fans I guess!!

I've wondered how those Dominican boys are liking it up here in good 'ol Victoria--especially last week (June 19-22 game days) when we had all that incredibly strong (and cold) wind when they were playing Calgary! I felt sorry for them. Even made me wish I was back down there in the DR myself!

Have fun introducing them to the friendly Victoria community! You shouldn't have too much trouble there!

Trina--you are right--Calgary is doing very well--They are very strong players! I really enjoy going to the games when they are here in Victoria--haven't missed a game yet when they have been here! The CBL really is fun and exciting baseball! I really hope it catches on--here in Victoria we are getting anywhere from 1200 to about 2000 fans per game! I hope the fan support continues so that it doesn't go under here in Victoria! I am really looking forward to seeing some of the back east teams later in the season when they are here!

Penguin