By John Denny

Observer Reporter

(Charlestown, Nevis) – The chatter and banter of a baseball game is taken to a whole new level when it is in Spanish. Food, drinks and softball was how the Dominicanas y Dominicanos of the Federation celebrated the 165th anniversary of Dominican Republic Independence last Sunday, Mar.1, at the Villa in Charlestown.

The softball tournament was organized by the Dominican Association with one team from each island facing off in the final for best two out of three games.

Nevis swept the series, undoubtedly due, in part, to the wildly enthusiastic cheerleading squad - complete with pom-poms. Passions ran high through the day both on and off the field and heated discussions arose from a couple of close calls, but were quickly settled with great sense of sportsmanship and fun.

An elevated degree of skill was exhibited by both teams as they played a highly defensive first game that ended 3-2 Nevis, but Nevis was just warming up. St Kitts was trounced in the second game 16-2.

“This activity was very crowded with a lot of people from the Dominican Republic and locals too,” said Jose Green, Treasurer of the Dominican Association. “The flag of the Dominican Republic was displayed all over the field and the Association was raising funds selling food and drink from our country. It was a very happy and exciting day for us and the Association wants to thank everyone who came out for the game and supported us.”

Both teams were sponsored by barbershops. Nevis was sponsored by Chamacos Barbershop and Claxton’s Shipping; St. Kitts was sponsored by The Bertico Barber Shop and Asim Martin.

The Most Valuable Players were Johnny Pena and Alexis Junior.

The best pitcher, with a record of 2-0 was Alexis Jacobo