The Jose Briceño baseball stadium in Puerto Plata city was given a RD$200 million makeover this year, and President Luis Abinader was there to make the first pitch to formally inaugurate the newest baseball stadium. The new stadium hosted the current champions of Dominican baseball, the Tigres del Licey and the Gigantes del Cibao from San Pedro de Macoris in the pre Winter Championship game.
President Luis Abinader was in Puerto Plata this weekend where he held his weekly meeting of ministers and cabinet officials.
The stadium was completely remodeled with new lighting, playing surface, and a much-improved seating capacity. Security and protection of both players and fans was also part of the project. With the new stadium, there will be pressure for the expansion of the Dominican Professional Baseball League (Lidom), to allow a Puerto Plata team to play.
Unfortunately for the moment, a localized tornado caused the downing of transmission lines and interrupted the first game. However, the technicians from EdeNorte were able to restore energy to the facility in near-record time and the game was able to be played. Lidom has not authorized the Puerto Plata team precisely on grounds of weather eventualities.
President Abinader assigned a group of noted figures to an “Administrative Committee” to oversee the proper use and care as well as the use of the new facility that could conceivably host games of the Dominican Professional Baseball League (Lidom) regular schedule.
Following up on the Winter Professional Baseball Championship, in San Pedro de Macoris, the refurbishment of the old Tetelo Vargas stadium is progressing. The latest reports say that the facility will not be ready for the opening of the winter baseball championship on 16 October 2024. The Estrellas Orientales of San Pedro de Macoris will be homeclub in nearby stadiums until they get their own stadium back.
The Lidom is hopeful the “new” playing field and lights will be ready for the game between the Aguilas Cibaeñas and the Estrellas Orientales next 22 October. The delays are attributed to government arrears regarding payments to Lidom to pay the contractor for the renovation.
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14 October 2024