Another day of volunteering and baseball

Mucho gusto!

Another full day today. We started off the day again with a half day of work at the job site laying the foundation for the new classroom. We all contributed in different ways; some of us mixed concrete while others met some local children and opened coconuts for them and taught them a little bit of english. After work, we went straight to the field to play the Nicaraguan Baseball Academy. This team was much more organized, sharper, and intense. They rarely lose, so it wasn’t a surprise that they beat us 10-0. After the game we went to Papa John’s again, and every player on the team thanked us individually for the opportunity to have a cross cultural friendly game and meal. Our silence on the car ride home and laid back attitude that everyone had after dinner is indicative of how hard the Academy worked us!

This trip has exceeded every expectation I have had. The quality of baseball, the experience of volunteering, and the overall excitement of traveling to this country have been more intense and gratifying than I could have possibly imagined. It has been an opportunity to expand and develop my spanish skills leagues beyond what I could have done back home and connect with people who have grown up in extremely different circumstances. I wouldn’t change a single thing about this trip. Every moment is intense and fulfilling, and every person here is integral to my experience.

Hasta Luego,

-Sam

Here’s the box score from the bloodbath that was today’s game:

Lincoln     0-3    caught three runners stealing from behind the plate

Crisafulli   0-2 BB  repeatedly called Brendan “cockroach” while he pitched

Roach      0-3       5.1 IP, 6R, 4K, 4BB

Dalomba  0-2 BB   

Young       0-3    played SS and made a great relay from center to cut a runner down at the plate

Pluta         2-2    

(Ramirez)  0-1   we were losing and were able to get our Nicaraguan amigo Roger in the game

Taylor        0-3   I won’t mention the brutal E-7. Oops.

Rigby         0-2  HBP   1.1 IP, 4R, 2K, 1BB

Urbina        0-3  

Some of the children in El Coco.

Amped and The Nicaraguan Baseball Academy.

Signing the game ball for The Nicaraguan Baseball Academy.

Another Work Day and Game 1 - Amped vs. Academia de Beisbol Managua

Hola!

Today was a day to remember. We had our first baseball game after a half day of work against played the Academia de Béisbol Nicaragüense, who had a player who got drafted by the dominican Dodgers program. Overall the day was pretty nice, some of us had to wake up early to make breakfast for everyone. Wake up was earlier than usual, at 7:00 AM. We ended up getting to our work area at around 8:00 AM, and worked until 12:00 PM. After this, we went to our first game, where we had a lot of fun playing baseball together. To continue our night we went to Papa Johns with the opposing team for dinner. After this, we took a 30 minute car ride where we successfully made Master Jeff Pluta puke at the end of it because of how loud and obnoxious we were being. Now we plan on going swimming, so I am going to wrap this up as soon as possible!

This trip has been pretty indescribable, I am pretty sure that all of us had different expectations when coming to Nicaragua, and in the end we were all blown away by the way that this is turning out. Already after the first few days I know that I would come back again, maybe even taking people from my school. The past two days have made me really think about some of the things that we take advantage of in the United States. One last thing to add in is that I feel like the group of guys that are here all work well together, and share a sense of humor. We might bother the adults, but we sure do have a fun time doing it, and of course everyone laughs in the end, usually.  (editor’s note from Jeff: these kids are AWESOME!)

-Selah Dalomba

Here’s the details from today’s game against the Academia de Beisbol Managua!

We lost 8 to 4, but played a tight game through 4. Selah started on the hill and cruised before giving way to Jeff “walk machine” Pluta who proceeded to walk the bases loaded. Zach and Ethan finished up, but walks were the death of our bullpen today.

Bruscoe: 1-2 , BB, R  and he HUNG PLUTA OUT TO DRY on a botched squeeze that he didn’t even offer at… c’mon Ben!!!

Crisafulli: 0-3 with 1.1 IP, 3K, R

Roach: 3-3 , 2B, R, 2 RBI

Dalomba: 0-3, 4IP, 8K, 2H, 3BB, 1R **don’t be deceived, they couldn’t touch him**

Young: 0-3, ROE, 1.2IP 2K, nice play at short that a kid juuuuust beat out.

Lincoln: 2-3, 2B  RBI. came in and did a nice job catching to relieve Roach

Pluta: 2-3, 2B RBI  0.0IP, 3BB  OUCH!

Taylor: 0-2, BB

Cruz: 1-3, ROE, R

Play ball.

Post-game American pride.

Arrival, volunteering, monkeys, and more!

Today we traveled from a hotel in Managua to the oasis hostel in Granada. From there we got settled in and went out for a bite to eat at the Grill House. Afterward we went out on Lake Nicaragua, which contains 365 islands, which we learned were typically privately owned island. One family owns three separate islands including one that’s value is 3 million dollars for 17 bedrooms and its own private gym. Islands were extremely cheap for our standards. One island was called the Monkey Island for a very self-explanatory reason, it contained monkeys. We even had the pleasure of welcoming a mother with her baby. It was very difficult to shoo the monkey off the boat, due to her entertainment with our backpacks and looking for our food. It wasn’t until another boat came up and took the monkeys off of our hands. As we returned home and the day came to an end we ate our dinner at a restaurant.

The country is unlike anything seen in the U.S. Its appearance is much like Mexico but also different in others. There are stray dogs everywhere and they seem to be at every turn off the city. The city is always busy, even in its sounds. Loud music is heard everywhere and on the side of every street vendors trying to sell you their product. Even though few people own cars. those who do always seem to be rushing to get somewhere. Having a blast check back tomorrow to see how we play in our first Nicaraguan baseball game.

- Brendan

Yesterday, 4 of us played a quick game of 4 v 4 soccer outdoors vs local Nicaraguan high schoolers, very cool experience. Sadly, they beat us 5-2.
-Zach



Some photos from the trip so far...

The crew

Believe it or not this isn't Ben, it's Lucy the monkey.

Putting in work at El Coco today.

Mixing up cement Nicaraguan style.

Before we leave for Nica!

Question: What are you expecting, looking forward to, nervous about, or wondering about before you leave for Nicaragua?

I am expecting to be eaten by a Tiger. 

I am looking forward to meeting new people and trying new foods. 

I am nervous that a tiger might eat me. 

I am wondering how many tigers are in Nicaragua. 

-Benny

I am very excited to leave for my trip to Nicaragua! I am less worried about the tigers and more worried about getting through the foreign airports. I am excited to start building the school and working with new people. Once our work is done in Granada, it will be great to relax on the Corn Islands! Overall I just want to get there!

-Zach