| While many baseball players look forward for their | | | | country's league is playing the final games to |
| time off after the long season is over in the fall, | | | | determine who will carry the flag and represent |
| many of them do things that couldn't do during | | | | the country in the Caribbean Series. But you |
| the season. Some of these things are to enjoy | | | | wonder why would major league stars risk their |
| their time off, being with their families, taking | | | | careers by playing at their home countries? |
| vacations around the world or just relax. Who | | | | Remember, most of the Latin American players in |
| wouldn't like to do these things when possible? But | | | | the major leagues came out of their home |
| some continue to play ball. | | | | countries' winter league system. That is why the |
| That's right. Some players look forward for the | | | | number of Latin baseball players is growing and |
| off-season so they can go back to their home | | | | are wanted more by the MLB teams. Now it's the |
| countries and be the major-league superstars | | | | time for the already-major-league-stars to inspire |
| they already are. Most of these players are from | | | | the upcoming talent and help them reach the |
| the Latin American countries where baseball is the | | | | highest level in baseball. |
| passion of many. During the winter months of | | | | If you want to know what baseball is like in |
| December, January and February, there's a | | | | Venezuela, Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico or |
| baseball league going on in countries like | | | | Mexico, then combine the feelings of the NCAA |
| Venezuela, Dominican Republic, Mexico and Puerto | | | | Basketball Final Four, a soccer match between |
| Rico where the weather is not less than perfect | | | | Real Madrid and Barcelona, a Yankees - Red Sox |
| for baseball - around 80 degrees. Stars like Miguel | | | | game at the end of September, and any rivalry |
| Tejada, Ronnie Belliard, Francisco "The Kid" | | | | you can think of. Now, add to that, salsa music, |
| Rodriguez, and the newest Detroit Tiger Miguel | | | | the sound of drums and whistles playing and |
| Cabrera are few of the ones that return home to | | | | people dancing and chanting everywhere, some |
| play in their native country's professional league. | | | | beer, and the great talent these players have to |
| What many people don't know is that in these | | | | play ball. Imagine that, and is exactly what baseball |
| countries, baseball is not only a past-time; it's | | | | is all about in these countries. |
| what everyone talks about - at the job, at school, | | | | And you wonder - why do major- league-stars |
| with friends and family. Especially at the end of | | | | want to go home and play during their off |
| January, when things are heating up and each | | | | season? I think you can answer that for yourself. |