For the Love of the Game

While many baseball players look forward for theircountry'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 duringthe country in the Caribbean Series. But you
the season. Some of these things are to enjoywonder why would major league stars risk their
their time off, being with their families, takingcareers by playing at their home countries?
vacations around the world or just relax. WhoRemember, most of the Latin American players in
wouldn't like to do these things when possible? Butthe 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 thenumber of Latin baseball players is growing and
off-season so they can go back to their homeare wanted more by the MLB teams. Now it's the
countries and be the major-league superstarstime for the already-major-league-stars to inspire
they already are. Most of these players are fromthe upcoming talent and help them reach the
the Latin American countries where baseball is thehighest level in baseball.
passion of many. During the winter months ofIf you want to know what baseball is like in
December, January and February, there's aVenezuela, Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico or
baseball league going on in countries likeMexico, then combine the feelings of the NCAA
Venezuela, Dominican Republic, Mexico and PuertoBasketball Final Four, a soccer match between
Rico where the weather is not less than perfectReal Madrid and Barcelona, a Yankees - Red Sox
for baseball - around 80 degrees. Stars like Miguelgame 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 Miguelthe sound of drums and whistles playing and
Cabrera are few of the ones that return home topeople 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 theseplay ball. Imagine that, and is exactly what baseball
countries, baseball is not only a past-time; it'sis 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 ofwant to go home and play during their off
January, when things are heating up and eachseason? I think you can answer that for yourself.