This
is a
custom
designed trip for baseball players.
It's the only one of it's
kind to provide a baseball vacation to Santo Domingo with these type of
activities. Baseball
is one of many mediums between our cultures. We'll eat at
some
great restaurants, stay at nice hotels, be entertained by a full time agenda, see some great
sights and Play Baseball, Dominican style.
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Trip
is open
to any adult person who plays baseball.
The average age of
our
teams is usually in the 40-50's with players ranging in their 20's
through their 60's. The trip is scheduled in mid winter to
allow for a tropical vacation and chance to get away from the cold,
snow or rain in your area. Players, wives, girl
friends, family
members, kids and tourists
are all welcome. We'll be limiting ourselves to a maximum of 14
players.
We will need 3-4 good pitchers, a catcher or two and some good
position
players. Come as a team or come as a pool player and join the
team.
You
will
need a valid passport and be able to obtain a tourist visa if needed.
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trip is far
more economical than any travel agent could do.
This
is a unique opportunity that we have for local baseball
associations to sponsor
us and give us use of their field, teams and parks. The islands are
fairly economical countries to visit. They have stable economies
with costs somewhat less than in the US. We'll be
going at a
reasonable cost that includes first
class
treatment in every step of the way. The trip will include
all
lodging, ground transportation, all baseball, all tours, lots of
sightseeing,
shopping sprees, and all breakfasts, some lunches with the Dominican teams and all dinners included. |
Most
every day
we'll tour a different area, see the local attractions and play a local
baseball team. Most days we will have group outings or
dinners.
Occasionally there will be joint meals with the local teams that
will
allow the Dominican and USA players to get together, swap lies and
make
new friends. You'll find baseball enthusiasts of a variety of age
groups and levels.
They are eager to meet and play ball with you.
Don't
be just
a tourist, be an International Baseball Ambassador, get to know
the people not just the postcards.
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Baseball
Baseball
has been played for many years in the Dominican Republic. Through
the years they have produced many well known MLB players we all
know. Sammy Sosa, Juan Marichal, Manny Ramirez, Vladimir Gurrero, Alex Rodriguez
and many more. Local teams of similar ages will be our hosts as we
visit their island.
You know that major league baseball has been dominated by many new Latin players
lately. With the advent of several new baseball complexes and
training facilities, many of these Latin players are from the Dominican
Republic. Baseball is big in
the DR and there are many teams for us to play. We are being hosted by Asociación de Cronistas Deportivos de la Republica Dominicana, Inc. They do have professional, adult and youth leagues
and baseball is numero uno.
We'll be playing teams of similar age and abilities in different locations each game.
We'll be using
some of their better facilities as we sweep the other teams for
the week on their home ground. One day, we will attend a local
professional minor league baseball game of either the Diamondbacks or Dodgers farm teams. Our
team
will
be made up of US players from various leagues and organizations from
all over the country.
Transportation
You
will need to make your own flight arrangements to and from the
Dominican Republic, Aeropuerto International Las Americas (SDQ), Santo
Domingo.
Once there,
you'll be met at the airport and transported to our hotel for check
in.
We will have a guide and team bus
that will transport us to
the games, different venues, activities and tours at each of the cities we visit.
Upon
departure,
you'll
be transported to the airport and assisted by our tour guides. When on our own, we'll use local taxis.
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Food
This trip should
be an Epicurean Delight as usual, as there are plenty of quality restaurants from
which to choose in Santo Domingo. There will also be some lunchs with the local
teams.
Restaurants are in our hotels and most others within easy walking
or taxi distance.
Breakfasts
are included with the rooms at the hotels. Mostly they will be
continental or buffet breakfasts. Only lunches noted with the teams are
included. All the dinners will be included. We'll
select some of the best restaurants recommended so that each day we
will explore a different place for lunch and dinner. What I
may have listed are suggested places but may vary once we get
there.
Food
in the Dominican Republic is very good and traditional Caribbean food
with Spanish origin. Lots of rice and black beans with chicken,
pork, plantains, and of course some of the best seafood. There
are
also many international
options that include French, Italian, American, Chinese, Japanese and
Mexican. They are also famous for fancy tropical drinks,
which I am sure we'll be sampling quite often. There is even a Hard Rock Cafe.
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Entertainment
While
in the capitol city of Santo Domingo, you'll find lots of night time
entertainment including casinos, night clubs, aquariums, movies,
theater, parks, museums, historical sights, the Malecon and discos,
including the worlds largest disco in a natural cave, Club Guacara Taina. You may even learn to dance the Merengue or Bachata, the local dances. You'll
be overwhelmed by all the choices and activities. We'll have an
agenda that will
occupy you every day and most evenings. We'll
also have some time
for you to explore on your own in each city. It will be a lively
time while we are there as one day will be the Dominican Independence Day
celebration and another will be the final day of Carnaval.
The locations and hotel have
all been selected to provide you with easy access to local restaurants,
bars, discos, night clubs and other activities. There will be
more to do than you will have time. The Dominican Republic is a destination
country for tourists from around the world, you'll be exhausted by
the end of the trip. Sleep when you get back to work.
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Sightseeing
Santo
Domingo is a
metropolitan city with lots of historic buildings, great restaurants
and and beautiful sunsets. We'll spend time visiting some of the
must see historic sites. On other days, we'll cruise outside of
town to explore some of the wonders
of the area.
At
typical day will
consist of morning game, lunch and afternoon and evening tours.
Other days will consist of tours to different places so you'll have
lot's of
opportunities to see the cities as well as the surrounding areas.
We'll have plenty of time to experience Independence Day and Carnaval.
We are scheduled to visit the Colonial City, Three Eyes Caves, Cathedral, National Aquarium, Faro a
Colon, homes of famous baseball players, attend a local professional
baseball game if available, and various other notable sights. We will also be
attending a cigar factory in La Romana, time for shopping and El Alcazar. In addition, we'll have a full day excursion to Catalina Island by boat to visit the coral barrier, Altos de Chavon,
Cumayasa Ranch for swiming, canoeing or pedal boats or horseback riding
and a visit to the Hurricane House, a challenge to gravity.
There will be some
half days off
for touring on your own, but not many. You are of course free to go out on your own, just let us know.
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Accommodations
When
you
travel a long distance to a foreign land, you want a comfortable place
to stay and there are plenty of hotels from which to
choose. We'll be
staying
in at least 3 and 4 star hotel, depending on who rates them. The hotel is modern with the necessities and amenities you are accustomed
to and more. The Dominican Republican rooms are much like American rooms in terms of
size and amenities.
In
Santo Domingo, we'll be staying along the Malecon at the
Renaissance Jaragua Hotel & Casino, a Marriot property. This is a resort hotels that also has a Las Vegas like atmospheres with
casinos, nightclubs, restaurants, entertainment, and right along the
scenic ocean. They have plenty of facilities
including spa, pools, workout rooms, modern electronics and
more. We'll have a buffet breakfast each day
at
this hotel and maybe some dinners.
Requirements
This
trip is for
amateur baseball players. Most our players are members of local
amateur baseball leagues. Ages ranging in the 20's through the
60's. Average age of the teams is generally in the
mid-40's. Wives, family
members, kids or
other tourists
may also attend as this is a family friendly trip. You will need
a valid passport and be able meet visa requirements.
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Schedule
and Agenda
This
trip is scheduled to take place in the Winter of
2008. Most flights seem to be connecting in the
southern parts of
the US, Houston, Miami, Phoenix, Atlanta etc. It's a good days
travel from just about anywhere and will probably take a full day to
get from your
home city to the Dominican Republic. You'll probably be arriving
in the afternoon or evening. We'll
start the
trip when you arrive at the airport in Santo Domingo where we'll be met
at
the
airport by one of the travel agents who will help us get to the hotel
for check in. This
first day will be devoted to gathering us up and decompression.
All other scheduled activities will begin the next day.
Our departure flights will probably be in the mornings, this will get
you back home the same day. You are, of course,
welcome to
come earlier or
stay later on your own. If you do, you'll be responsible for your
own transportation, food and accommodations during those times. A
preliminary detailed agenda is shown
below.
All
in all, between the baseball
and the tours,
this will be a very
busy schedule that will give you a great experience and a chance to see
some of the sights of the Dominican Republic. You'll have lots of
opportunities for
evenings out after the games, tours and dinners. There may be
some nights where
we'll go out as a group or you are welcome to go out on your own.
Outline
of Schedule for 9-days and 8 nights
Day
1
Sunday
Feb. 24th
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Depart
US
Arrive at Las Americas International Airport (SDQ), Santo Domingo, DR
Greet and Transport to Hotel for check in
Afternoon/Evening on your own
Dinner at Local Restaurant
Accommodations at Renaissance Jaragua Hotel & Casino
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Day
2
Monday
Feb. 25th
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Breakfast at Hotel
Transfer to Boca Chica for Baseball Game #1
Lunch at Local Restaurant
Afternoon tours of Santo Domingo
Transfer to Hotel
Dinner at Local Restaurant
Accommodations at Renaissance Jaragua Hotel & Casino
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Day
3
Tuesday
Feb. 26th
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Breakfast at Hotel
Morning sightseeing of Santo Domingo
Attend local minor league professional game (if available)
Lunch at local restaurant-included
Afternoon tours of Santo Domingo
Dinner at local restaurant
Accommodations at Renaissance Jaragua Hotel & Casino
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Day
4
Wednesday
Feb. 27th
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Breakfast at Hotel
Transfer to Santo Domingo ballpark for Game #2
Lunch in Santo Domingo
Afternoon off for Independence Day Parade
Dinner at local restaurant
Accommodations at Renaissance Jaragua Hotel & Casino
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Day
5
Thursday
Feb. 28th
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Breakfast at Hotel
Full day Catalina Island for Snorkeling and sites by speed boat
Buffet Lunch-Included
Afternoon Tours or activities
Transfer to Santo Domingo
Dinner at local restaurant
Accommodations at Renaissance Jaragua Hotel & Casino
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Day 6
Friday
Feb. 29th
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Breakfast at Hotel
Transfer to Haina for Baseball Game #3
Lunch with local players
Afternoon Tours of local area
Transfer to Santo Domingo
Dinner at local restaurant
Accommodations at Renaissance Jaragua Hotel & Casino
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Day 7
Saturday
March 1
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Day 8
Sunday
March 2 |
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Day 9
Monday
March 3
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Breakfast at Hotel
Transfer to Las Americas International Airport (SDQ), Santo Domingo, DR
Return to US
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Dates
February 24-March 3, 2008.
You will arrive in the Dominican Republic by Sunday, Feb. 24th, and depart on Monday March 3.
You are,
of course, welcome to come earlier or
stay later on your own. I may come a few days early or stay
an extra day or so or possibly off to another island. Carnaval in the
Dominican Republic is Feb. 24-March 2. If you do extend your time, you'll be responsible for your
own transportation, accommodations, food etc. during those times.
Cost
We need at
least 10
players for this trip to happen, plus any additional non players.
Costs is $1,895 not including air fare. These
costs are based on staying at 3-4 star hotels in double
occupancy. If you want a room to yourself, add
$475. Flight costs are about $500
from the west and $400 from the east coasts in the USA. Room upgrads at $156 single, $76 double occupancy.
Universal
Currency #1
Currency
Converter #2
Current Exchange
Rates
Approximate exchange rate,
100 Dominican Republic Peso = $3.036 USD, $1 USD=32.94 Peso
1000 Dominican Republic Peso = $30.36, $10 USD=329.4 Peso
10,000 Dominican Republic Peso = $303.58, $100 USD=3,294 Peso
Current Weather in Santo Domingo
Current Local Time in Santo Domingo
If you
would like
more information on playing in the Dominican Republic send an email to Dennis@DennisMc.com
Included is: Transfer to and from Airport in the Dominican Republic
Hotel accommodations for 8
nights. All local transport to
scheduled activities.
Admission to scheduled tours and eventsTours of Santo Domingo Metro AreaTours of San Pedro and Altos de Chavon
Catalina Island Day Trip including Snorkling
Cigar Factory Tour La Romana
All Breakfasts and Dinners2 LunchesAdmission to local professional baseball game (if available)
All baseball costs, 4 Games (umpires,
fields, etc.)
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Not
included is:
All Air fare
Non-scheduled
trips
(taxis, buses, trains etc.).
All Lunches except those noted
Each
player to bring 6 leather baseballs (to be verified)
Each
player to bring
their own playing gear & uniforms.
International travel, import or other similar costsAirport taxes or any other government travel fees ($15)
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Contact
Dennis
McCroskey,
Baseball Adventures
P.O. Box 707
Mendocino, CA
95460
707-937-4478
707-937-2349
fax
email: Dennis@DennisMc.com
Sign
Up
To sign up for
this
trip you need to fill
out the application form and send a $500 deposit and make your airline reservations. The balance
of funds will be due by the first week of January
2008. If
for some
reason, the trip does not happen, all deposits held by me will be
returned in
full. Any deposits forwarded to the travel agents are subject to
their return requirements. Other than threat of war or natural
disaster, the only
reason it would not happen is if we do not the min. of 10 people on the
trip and it looks pretty good for getting that at this point.
This trip is for amateur baseball
players.
Wives, girl friends, family members or other tourists may also
attend. You will
need a valid passport and be able to obtain a tourist visa upon entry to the country.
Roster
We
need a minimum of 10 players and it looks like we have that already. We'll have a
maximum of
14 players. We can take an unlimited number of friends, wives,
relatives, girlfriends, kids and others. These are encouraged and
may
attend as support staff or just tourists.
Roster of Participants
Player
|
Status |
Positions
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Dennis
McCroskey
Mark Foerster
John Stalberg
Gene Sinclair
Tracy Masters
Michael Bessette
Tony Stockman
Marc Drucker
Blair Bessette
Ed Garelick
Damien Perkins
Del Phillips
Andy Badolato
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Confirmed
Confirmed
Confirmed
Confirmed
Confirmed
Confirmed
Confirmed
Confirmed
Confirmed
Confirmed
Confirmed
Confirmed
Yes
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P,IF
IF,P
IF,OF
IF,OF,P
IF
2B,OF
P,OF,IF
C,IF
IF
IF,P
OF,C,P
IF,OF
1B,P
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Non Players
|
Status
|
Positions
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Michael Badolato
Joseph Barquin
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Yes
Maybe
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Bat Boy
Scorekeeper
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Waiting List
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Faro a Colon
Santiago Home of El Presidente Beer
Baseball is the National Sport
Tower of Homage
Club Guacara Taina
Tres Ojas de Auga
Renaissance Jaragua Hotel
 Renaissance Jaragua Hotel
 Renaissance Jaragua Hotel Dining
 Las Vegas style Entertainment
Haitian & Dominican Crafts
Famous for Coffee
and
Cigars
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