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.