Santo Domingo.- Centro Cuesta Nacional (CCN) celebrated its 90th anniversary with the sixth edition of Orgullo de Mi Tierra, focusing for the first time on the specific destination of Pico Duarte, the highest peak of the Dominican Republic. The event took place at the Eduardo Brito National Theater, graced by the presence of President Luis Abinader, various diplomatic representatives, and executives from CCN. This edition aims to highlight the ecological, cultural, and historical significance of Pico Duarte, reinforcing its role as a centerpiece of adventure tourism.
During the initiative, CCN unveiled a substantial contribution to Dominican literature and culture — a 320-page book authored by Frank Báez, which comprises 172 photographs and illustrations. The book highlights the beauty and importance of Pico Duarte, accompanied by the documentary El Pico Duarte, which was filmed over six expeditions to the landmark. A special merchandise collection dedicated to Pico Duarte is also now available at CCN stores.
This project is not just about promoting tourism; it also seeks to support local communities such as Mata Grande, Sabaneta, and La Ciénaga. Through various partnerships, the initiative assists local guides, rangers, and small agricultural producers, aiming to bolster ecotourism and promote sustainable development across the region. CCN has been steadfast in its mission to celebrate Dominican identity and heritage, and this initiative continues to reflect those core values.
Meanwhile, the Dominican government's efforts to improve infrastructure progress with the announcement of an international tender for constructing a new bascule bridge over the Ozama River. This bridge will replace the current floating bridge, which has been serving as a key link between the National District and Santo Domingo Este. The Ministry of Public Works (MOPC) confirmed the initiative after consultation with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Mirex); the latter has now distributed the tender to Dominican embassies worldwide as well as foreign embassies within the Dominican Republic.
The new bridge will connect Francisco Caamaño Deñó Avenue to Malecón Avenue at Villa Duarte, enhancing connectivity and accessibility for local residents and businesses. With the aim of attracting potential bidders, ambassadors have been invited to share details of the tender with relevant companies back home.
On the other side of the spectrum is the saga of young baseball players striving to fulfill their dreams of signing contracts with MLB teams. The race to lock down lucrative contracts has many young athletes on edge, as illustrated by the intense nights leading up to January 15 when many players lie awake pondering their destiny. Pressure mounts not just from their aspirations but also from the stark reality of their socioeconomic conditions.
The hopes of becoming the next baseball stars like David Ortiz or Pedro Martínez often drive Dominican youth to invest countless hours training from as early as ten years old. Compounding this challenge is the imminent arrival of Japanese sensation Roki Sasaki, who just announced his intention to join the Los Angeles Dodgers, securing himself considerable bonus money — capital which many Dominican players were counting on as they aimed for contracts of their own.
“When you say you’re 17, they don’t even look at you,” expressed Carlos Álvarez, once a player himself, now coaching and training others. This highlights the harsh reality of aging out of opportunities before the chances even materialize. The pressure for Dominican teenagers to sign contracts before age restrictions come crashing down is immense, leaving many feeling trapped by the weight of expectations.
For years, MLB scouts have flooded the nation, searching for raw talent, yet the current system is rife with concern over age falsification and exploitation. Events leading up to the signing period for players born between September 1, 2007, and August 31, 2008, have drawn attention to significant age fraud issues within the scouting and signing processes. Scouting systems require young athletes to perform at their best under scrutiny, increasing the fear of loan sharks, fallen verbal commitments, and the possibility of having to misrepresent themselves to secure deals.
“It’s the dream of a young boy to play in the major leagues,” stated Junior Noboa, the Dominican Republic’s baseball commissioner, emphasizing on the life-changing potential of these contracts which can substantially lift families out of poverty. Yet, the system putting these dreams at risk is under increasing scrutiny, especially following recent allegations of age deception among recruits.
Juxtaposed against the backdrop of struggling young talents are achievements like the bridge construction and initiatives to support local businesses, presenting both challenges and strides of progress for the Dominican Republic. With these parallel narratives, the nation finds itself at the crossroads of cultural pride, infrastructural growth, and the high stakes of its budding baseball industry.
A sophisticated international draft could present potential solutions to the predicaments faced by young players fervently pursuing their dreams. Despite the complexity of implementing such changes, the dialogue around transforming the conventional systems remains pivotal for the future of the sport and its players. For now, young Dominican athletes continue to chase the uncertainties of their futures, hoping to sign their names on contracts worth millions, even as they navigate the demanding world of baseball.