This post is also available in: Spanish

As a newcomer to a country where baseball is considered a way of life, I was quick to blindly declare myself a Los Toros fan. Not only was I impressed with the spirit of the die-hard Toros fans in La Romana, but this area of the country also happens to produce the greatest number of players who go on to play professionally. How could I go wrong?

On Wednesday evening, October 18th, 2012, the Dominican baseball season started in La Romana at the Francisco A. Micheli Stadium (having already been officially inaugurated on Sunday October 14th in other venues across the country). The La Romana season opener showcased the face-off between Los Toros del Este from La Romana and Los Gigantes from San Francisco de Macoris. Here was my chance to decide if I was truly a Los Toros fan.

Inauguration at the Francisco A. Micheli Stadium, La Romana 

We arrived at the Francisco A. Micheli stadium early in order claim the coveted seats located directly in front of the Dom Ham food stand that serves up mouth-watering beef burgers to hungry fans. From there we enjoyed the festive inauguration ceremony. It was studded with national personalities and included fireworks, a crowd-pleasing entrance by the players in a train, and of course the famous Toro mascot cruising through the stadium on a motorcycle.

The score remained close for most of the game. At the end of the 6th inning the Los Toros held the lead 1-0. And then, as they say here — “se fue la luz” — we were experiencing a power outage!

It was in this moment that I converted into a true die-hard Los Toros fan. In complete darkness the crowd of already proud orange fanatics only elevated their enthusiasm. By the light of cellphones and emergency backup lights the cheerful Los Toros fans jumped up and down in their seats making infinite amounts of noise with their whistles and recycled bottles as the band went wild in the background. In the midst of the crowd was the Los Toros mascot, dancing to the beat of the drums as the crowd repeated with passion:

Aqui to’somos Toros!!

To the delight of the fans, the light came back after about 45 minutes; unfortunately things seemed to go downhill for Los Toros. Marcell Ozuna, center fielder for Los Gigantes, secured a win for his team with a homerun in the 8th inning. And although Los Gigantes ended up winning 4-1, I am proud to report that Los Toros did not disappoint! I can now proudly say: “yo soy Toro, y tú?”

This article was contributed by Jorien Breur

Jorien Breur is a fourth year medical student at Albert Einstein College of Medicine in Bronx, NY. She was awarded a Doris Duke Clinical Research Fellowship which allows her to take a year off from traditional medical school coursework and experience clinical research firsthand. She will be spending the upcoming year doing research at Clínica de Familia La Romana and experiencing life in the Dominican Republic.

Don’t miss the excitement! Below you will find the calendar of games for the Dominican baseball season 2012:

Baseball Games Calendar

October

Estrellas Vs. Toros
When: Sunday October 14th, 5pm.
Where: San Pedro de Macorís

Licey Vs. Toros
When: Tuesday October 16th, 7:30pm
Where: Quisqueya Stadium, Santo Domingo

Gigantes Vs. Toros
When: Wednesday October 17^th, 7:30pm
Where: Frank Micheli Stadium, La Romana

Licey Vs. Toros
When: Friday October 19^th, 7:30pm
Where: Frank Micheli Stadium, La Romana

Gigantes Vs. Toros
When: Saturday October 20th, 5pm
Where: San Francisco de Macorís

Escogido Vs. Toros
When: Sunday 21st October, 5pm
Where: Quisqueya Stadium, Santo Domingo

Escogido Vs. Toros
When: Tuesday October 23^rd, 7:30pm
Where: Frank Micheli Stadium, La Romana

Aguilas Vs. Toros
When: Wednesday October 24th, 7:30pm
Where: Cibao Stadium, Santiago

Estrellas Vs. Toros
When: Friday October 26th, 8pm.
Where: San Pedro de Macorís

Aguilas Vs. Toros
When: Saturday October 27th, 7:30pm
Where: Cibao Stadium, Santiago

Gigantes Vs. Toros
When: Wednesday October 31st, 5pm
Where: San Francisco de Macorís

November

Licey Vs. Toros
When: Friday November 2nd, 7:30pm
Where: Quisqueya, Santo Domingo

Gigantes Vs. Toros
When: Saturday November 3rd, 7:30pm
Where: Frank Micheli Stadium, La Romana

Escogidos Vs. Toros
When: Sunday November 4th, 5pm
Where: Frank Micheli Stadium, La Romana

Escogidos Vs. Toros
When: Monday November 5th, 5pm
Where: Quisqueya, Santo Domingo

Estrellas Vs. Toros
When: Tuesday November 6th, 7:30pm
Where: Frank Micheli Stadium, La Romana

Licey Vs. Toros
When: Wednesday November 7th, 7:30pm
Where: Quisqueya, Santo Domingo

Estrellas Vs. Toros
When: Friday November 9th, 7:30pm
Where: Frank Micheli Stadium, La Romana

Aguilas Vs. Toros
When: Saturday November 10th, 7:30pm
Where: Frank Micheli Stadium, La Romana

Estrellas Vs. Toros
When: Sunday November 11th, 5pm
Where: San Pedro de Macorís

Aguilas Vs. Toros
When: Tuesday November 13th, 7:30pm
Where: Frank Micheli Stadium, La Romana

Gigantes Vs. Toros
When: Wednesday November 14th, 7:30pm
Where: Frank Micheli Stadium, La Romana

Escogidos Vs. Toros
When: Friday November 15th, 7:30pm
Where: Quisqueya, Santo Domingo

Gigantes Vs. Toros
When: Saturday November 16th, 7:30pm
Where: San Francisco de Macorís

Licey Vs. Toros
When: Saturday November 17th, 7:30pm
Where: Frank Micheli Stadium, La Romana

Escogidos Vs. Toros
When: Tuesday November 20th, 7:30pm
Where: Frank Micheli Stadium, La Romana

Aguilas Vs. Toros
When: Wednesday November 21st, 7:30pm
Where: Cibao, Santiago

Estrellas Vs. Toros
When: Friday November 23rd, 8pm
Where: San Pedro

Estrellas Vs. Toros
When: Sunday November 25th, 5pm
Where: Frank Micheli Stadium, La Romana

Licey Vs. Toros
When: Tuesday November 27th, 7:30pm
Where: Frank Micheli Stadium, La Romana

Gigantes Vs. Toros
When: Wednesday November 28th, 7:30pm
Where: San Francisco de Macorís

Licey Vs. Toros
When: Friday November 30th, 7:30pm
Where: Quisqueya, Santo Domingo

December

Gigantes Vs. Toros
When: Saturday December 1st, 7:30pm
Where: Frank Micheli Stadium, La Romana

Escogidos Vs. Toros
When: Sunday December 2nd, 5pm
Where: Frank Micheli Stadium, La Romana

Aguilas Vs. Toros
When: Tuesday December 4th, 7:30pm
Where: Frank Micheli Stadium, La Romana

Escogidos Vs. Toros
When: Wednesday December 5th, 7:30pm
Where: Quisqueya, Santo Domingo

Aguilas Vs. Toros
When: Friday December 7th, 7:30pm
Where: Frank Micheli Stadium, La Romana

Estrellas Vs. Toros
When: Saturday December 8th, 8pm
Where: San Pedro

Gigantes Vs. Toros
When: Sunday December 9th, 5pm
Where: Frank Micheli Stadium, La Romana

Licey Vs. Toros
When: Thursday December 13th, 7:30pm
Where: Quisqueya, Santo Domingo

Licey Vs. Toros
When: Friday December 14th, 7:30pm
Where: Frank Micheli Stadium, La Romana

Gigantes Vs. Toros
When: Saturday December 15th, 5pm
Where: San Francisco de Macorís

Escogidos Vs. Toros
When: Sunday December 16th, 5pm
Where: Quisqueya, Santo Domingo

Escogidos Vs. Toros
When: Tuesday December 18th, 7:30pm
Where: Frank Micheli Stadium, La Romana

Aguilas Vs. Toros
When: Wednesday December 19th
Where: Cibao, Santiago

Estrellas Vs. Toros
When: Friday December 21st, 7:30pm
Where: Frank Micheli Stadium, La Romana