A couple of weeks ago, the president of the Professional Baseball League of the Dominican Republic, Don Vitelio Mejía, warned that the poor conditions of the field and the clubhouses of the Tetelo Vargas stadiumhome of the runners-up Estrellas Orientales, jeopardized the game at that venue if the necessary corrections were not made.
The main warning was that Major League Baseball would not allow its affiliated players to be in danger in a facility that, unfortunately, is very dilapidated.
The Minister of Sports, Mr. Francisco Camacho, responded yesterday to Nathanael Pérez that he found Mejía’s comment a threat and assured that the stadium will be in good condition by October, since his government has given all the facilities to winter baseball, including from before assuming command in August 2020.
What Minister Camacho states is totally true, but I do not believe that Mejía’s warning should be taken as a threat but as what it is: an ultimatum given by Major League Baseball.
The abusive use given to Tetelo Vargas out of season, and at all hours, including baseball programs, non-sports activities and many other things, has contributed to this deterioration.
Time cannot be lost, taking into account the times we are in, and the repair of that facility is in the pipeline and that promise has been in place since the summer of 2023.
The winter tournament, which will be dedicated to the memory of Mr. Eduardo León Asensio, is only six months away from starting and with elections a month and two weeks away, it is necessary to take appropriate precautions.
And once this adaptation is made, it is necessary to place restrictions on the use and maintenance obligations of the park.
That, obviously, until a new stadium is built, whether by the private or public sector, or a famous public-private alliance.
In the meantime, and even more so when there is public bureaucracy involved, take action soon so that it does not happen as happened a year ago, when the repair of the stadium was promised and the prudent deadlines to be able to do it were exhausted.
Honestly, this shouldn’t be an issue in a country where baseball has an economic impact exceeding $650 million annually. That doesn’t make sense. b
Dionisio Soldevila Brea has a degree in Law and a journalist since 1998. Winner of a National Youth Award (2006) and several ACD awards. He has been Editor-in-Chief and Sports Editor of Diario Libre since January 2021.
2024-04-04 04:02:54
#deterioration #Tetelo #Vargas #stadium
