Peloteros / Ballplayers
Way up the cable is the new Fusion Network. Spanish content and mostly English language or subtitles.
The new network showed the documentary: Peloteros which followed two young Dominican prospects as they are being groomed to sign Major League Baseball contracts when they reach the magic age of 16.
Dominicans like their baseball. The documentary says that 1 in 5 players in the Major Leagues and the Minor Leagues are from the Republica Dominicana.
Sammy Sosa, Alex Rodriguez, and Hanley Ramirez are all Dominican. Playing baseball is a way out of poverty and the best prospects are paid big bonuses that float the boat of player development on the island. Baseball players are a major export product and the kids learn early that they are both players and commodities. Agents and coaches also get their cuts in along the way.
The documentary spends a great deal of time discussing birth certificates, school records and identity.
We in Miami are familiar with the issue. Marlin closer, Leo Nunez, was actually Juan Carlos Oviedo. A ringer, a case of immigration fraud, and according to Wikipedia because of name confusion his birth date could either be March 15, 1982 or August 14, 1983. Leo or Juan said he took his best friends name to get a better deal.
The documentary is clear if you can sign with a clear birth certificate and major league skills, you can get a bigger bonus at age 16. Sadly your value drops as you age to 17 or 18 where you might only get a tryout and a nominal signing bonus.
Donald Trump would have a field day in the Dominican Republic.
The new network showed the documentary: Peloteros which followed two young Dominican prospects as they are being groomed to sign Major League Baseball contracts when they reach the magic age of 16.
Dominicans like their baseball. The documentary says that 1 in 5 players in the Major Leagues and the Minor Leagues are from the Republica Dominicana.
Sammy Sosa, Alex Rodriguez, and Hanley Ramirez are all Dominican. Playing baseball is a way out of poverty and the best prospects are paid big bonuses that float the boat of player development on the island. Baseball players are a major export product and the kids learn early that they are both players and commodities. Agents and coaches also get their cuts in along the way.
The documentary spends a great deal of time discussing birth certificates, school records and identity.
We in Miami are familiar with the issue. Marlin closer, Leo Nunez, was actually Juan Carlos Oviedo. A ringer, a case of immigration fraud, and according to Wikipedia because of name confusion his birth date could either be March 15, 1982 or August 14, 1983. Leo or Juan said he took his best friends name to get a better deal.
The documentary is clear if you can sign with a clear birth certificate and major league skills, you can get a bigger bonus at age 16. Sadly your value drops as you age to 17 or 18 where you might only get a tryout and a nominal signing bonus.
Donald Trump would have a field day in the Dominican Republic.
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