While many baseball players look forward for their time off after the long season is over in the fall, many of them do things that couldn't do during the season. Some of these things are to enjoy their time off, being with their families, taking vacations around the world or just relax. Who wouldn't like to do these things when possible? But some continue to play ball.
That's right. Some players look forward for the off-season so they can go back to their home countries and be the major-league superstars they already are. Most of these players are from the Latin American countries where baseball is the passion of many. During the winter months of December, January and February, there's a baseball league going on in countries like Venezuela, Dominican Republic, Mexico and Puerto Rico where the weather is not less than perfect for baseball - around 80 degrees. Stars like Miguel Tejada, Ronnie Belliard, Francisco "The Kid" Rodriguez, and the newest Detroit Tiger Miguel Cabrera are few of the ones that return home to play in their native country's professional league.
What many people don't know is that in these countries, baseball is not only a past-time; it's what everyone talks about - at the job, at school, with friends and family. Especially at the end of January, when things are heating up and each country's league is playing the final games to determine who will carry the flag and represent the country in the Caribbean Series. But you wonder why would major league stars risk their careers by playing at their home countries? Remember, most of the Latin American players in the major leagues came out of their home countries' winter league system. That is why the number of Latin baseball players is growing and are wanted more by the MLB teams. Now it's the time for the already-major-league-stars to inspire the upcoming talent and help them reach the highest level in baseball.
If you want to know what baseball is like in Venezuela, Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico or Mexico, then combine the feelings of the NCAA Basketball Final Four, a soccer match between Real Madrid and Barcelona, a Yankees - Red Sox game at the end of September, and any rivalry you can think of. Now, add to that, salsa music, the sound of drums and whistles playing and people dancing and chanting everywhere, some beer, and the great talent these players have to play ball. Imagine that, and is exactly what baseball is all about in these countries.
And you wonder - why do major- league-stars want to go home and play during their off season? I think you can answer that for yourself.
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