In an Internet survey carried out yesterday by CNN/Sports Illustrated, 38% of 5,000 voters favored the DR being site of next year’s Major League baseball season’s opening game. The Dominican Republic received 1,798 votes, followed by Australia with 1,022, or 22%. Cuba received 18%, Puerto Rico 16% and Venezuela 5%. The series first was played outside the US when it opened in Mexico in 1998 (San Diego-Rockies). This year it opened in Japan (Mets-Cubs). The DR has already been seat to Major League exhibition games – Mets and Expos (1999) and Astros and Boston (2000). Sectors within the sport favor the games being held abroad to contribute to the global interest for the sport so that some day the World Series truly be a World Series. (30 March 2000)
