As the Liga de Béisbol Profesional de la República Dominicana (LIDOM) season progresses, here is a look at the top news and notes from the past week in the Dominican Republic’s winter league.
Tempers flare between Licey and Toros
The season being young is little reason for a lack of passion between a pair of LIDOM’s most decorated teams. Tigres de Licey and Toros del Estey’s benches cleared after César Valdez of the Tigres flipped his glove in the air after striking out Enmanuel Rivera. The benches cleared; however, there was minimal violence. Tensions were likely raised when earlier in the same game, Rivera flipped his bat on a line-drive single to left off of Valdez.
Lawlar’s Hot Start
Making the most of a somewhat lost season in North America, Diamondbacks top prospect Jordan Lawlar elected to spend his winter in the Dominican Republic — and it’s paying off.
In his first six games with Tigres del Licey, Lawlar has slashed .409/.481/.773 with two home runs, all while competing against high-level competition in a demanding market.
“I think it’s great,” D-backs GM Mike Hazen said to MLB.com’s Steve Gilbert of Lawlar’s decision to go to the Dominican Republic. “I appreciate he’s down there. I appreciate that he’s making up his at-bats. He’s working and trying to push to make the team next year.”
Lawlar is undoubtedly off to a good start. He’s turning heads in the Diamondbacks organization, having totaled four extra-base hits and six RBIs thus far, making hard contact to all fields.
McLaren CEO Throws out First Pitch at Leones del Escogido Game
From announcing games at Yankee Stadium to now having a world-renowned car brand’s CEO throw out the first pitch. Everyone involved in LIDOM seems to be at the forefront of innovation. McLaren’s CEO, Zak Brown, threw out the first pitch at the game between Leones del Escogido and Gigantes del Cibao, tossing a strike and being welcomed by Leones manager Albert Pujols.
You can stream LIDOM games on FUBO.
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WBN LIDOM: https://worldbaseball.com/league/dominican-republic/
Photo Credit: Jordan Lawlar #10 of the Arizona Diamondbacks in the field during the third inning of a spring training Spring Breakout game. (Photo by David Durochik/Diamond Images via Getty Images)
