#Baseball

Veterans League – Week 23: Deadlock on the Diamond, Unity off the Field SANTO DOMINGO – June 22, 2025 The 23rd round of the Veterans League’s 12th Edition – “Softball, Quality of Life” Project delivered evenly matched drama on the field—and an emotional display of unity off of it. In true league fashion, “El cuartico se quedó igualito”—as all three teams split their Sunday matchups, leaving the standings untouched. In the opening showdown, the Shrimpers (Veterans 3) pulled off a narrow 9-8 upset over the league-leading Elephants, showing signs of late-season fire. However, they couldn’t keep the momentum rolling, falling 5-8 to the Jaguas (Veterans 2) in their second outing. Meanwhile, the Jaguas stumbled in their middle game against the Elephants, dropping a tightly contested 9-10 battle that showcased the reigning champs’ ability to respond under pressure. With these results: The Elephants (35-11, .761) remain in firm control at the top, holding a jaw-dropping 18-game lead over both rivals. The Shrimpers and Jaguas, now knotted at 17-29 (.370), continue their tug-of-war for second place. But beyond the box scores, this Sunday was about more than standings. In a moving show of support, players and supporters came together to raise nearly $10,000 pesos in aid of Esteban “Chichi” Barrios Madruga—a founding member of the league, standout athlete for the Shrimpers, and a beloved figure in the Veterans League community. Recently hospitalized with a terminal illness, Chichi has inspired generations of players with his passion and perseverance. Sunday’s heartfelt gesture will help ease his burden in a time of need. The scoreboard may have stayed even, but the spirit of sportsmanship, solidarity, and compassion was the true winner this week in the Veterans League. ⚾💙

Jaguas Roar Back with Doubleheader Sweep to Snatch Second Place SANTO DOMINGO – June 8, 2025 The 22nd round of the Veterans League’s 12th Edition – “Softball, Quality of Life” Project brought a shake-up in the standings and a show of strength from a team on the rise. The Jaguas came out swinging and never looked back, delivering a decisive doubleheader sweep—their second in the last 11 weeks—to leapfrog the Shrimpers and claim sole possession of second place. Although both teams share identical win-loss records, the Jaguas edge ahead with a 12-10 head-to-head advantage. They opened the day with a gritty 13-10 victory over the Shrimpers, then stunned the league-leading Elephants with a commanding 12-5 win, snapping the leaders’ momentum in style. The Jaguas were on fire offensively, collecting 46 hits across both games, while their defense sparkled with just one error on the day. Meanwhile, the Shrimpers continued to slide, dropping both contests and losing critical ground in the playoff race. The Elephants, despite splitting their doubleheader, remain firmly entrenched at the top with an 18-game cushion, but their aura of invincibility took a hit. Standout Player of the Day: Osvaldo Estable, Jaguas’ resilient right-hander, turned in a gutsy performance—earning the win in Game 1 and sealing the save in Game 2. While his overall season stats (9-17, .346 win rate) may not jump off the page, Estable now leads the league in saves (3) and showed flashes of clutch potential when it mattered most. Adding an international flair to the action, students from SUNY Oneonta (State University of New York at Oneonta) once again visited the field, joining the fun with some swings of their own and generously donating softballs to support the program—further strengthening the league’s mission of camaraderie, sport, and community. With the Jaguas heating up and playoff positioning tightening, all eyes now turn to the final stretch—where every inning counts and underdogs are proving they still have plenty of bite. ⚾🔥

Veterans League – Week 21: Elephants Sweep Again as VIP Guests Watch the Action Unfold It was a festive and action-packed 21st competition day in the 12th Edition of the Veterans League’s “Softball, Quality of Life” Project, with stars shining on and off the diamond. Adding to the excitement was a special visit from Dairo Enrique Moreno, founder and President of Civitas Global Educational Services, the league’s primary sponsor. He was accompanied by a distinguished American delegation of students and professors from SUNY Oneonta (State University of New York at Oneonta). The guests were warmly welcomed by players and fans alike, participating in the day’s activities and presenting veteran athletes with a symbolic donation—including softballs, visor caps, a first aid kit, and other thoughtful gifts to support the league's mission. On the field, the Elephants showed no mercy. The league leaders kept their foot on the gas, sweeping their fourth consecutive doubleheader to rack up their 14th weekend sweep of the season—a staggering 66.7% success rate. They took care of business with a solid 10-4 win over the Shrimpers and followed it up by shutting down Jagua to keep their winning machine rolling. With this, they extend their commanding lead, sitting 17 games ahead of second place. The Shrimpers, meanwhile, endured a rough outing, dropping both of their contests—including an 11-7 loss to Jagua—and now find themselves drifting further from the top. As for Jagua, they made their mark with a critical split and are now just two games behind the Shrimpers, making the battle for second place suddenly very interesting as we enter the home stretch. Stars of the Day: Juan Miguel Machado Pérez (Elephants): The right-handed ace was unstoppable once again, collecting his league-leading 13th win (13-2, .867) and continuing to set the gold standard for pitching this season. Luis Orlando Valladares (Jagua): The only player to earn MVP honors in both games, delivering standout performances on both sides of the ball. With just weeks to go, the standings may be shifting behind them, but the Elephants remain the team to beat—while Jagua and the Shrimpers gear up for a battle royale for second place. The heat is rising, and so is the intensity in this unforgettable Veterans League season. ⚾🔥