Franklin Pierce Baseball Headed to Dominican Republic for Five Days Over Thanksgiving Break

RINDGE, N.H. (November 19, 2010) – The East Regional champion and national semifinalist Franklin Pierce University baseball team will get a taste of baseball outside the United States next week, as it makes a five-day trip to the Dominican Republic over the Thanksgiving break.

While in the Dominican Republic, the Ravens will play games against the Dominican affiliates of the Boston Red Sox, Baltimore Orioles, Minnesota Twins and Kansas City Royals. In addition, the team will participate in community service by assisting with clinics for local children and by donating baseball equipment.

The Ravens will depart for the Dominican on Wednesday, Nov. 24 and return to New Hampshire on Sunday, Nov. 28. In addition to baseball-related activities, the team will have the opportunity to tour historic parts of the country and enjoy the nation’s tropical weather.

“We are all looking forward to this special trip which will be a great experience for us both on the diamond and off the field as well,” said Head Coach Jayson King. “Hopefully the experiences from this trip will be something that we will all remember for a long time to come.”

The Dominican Republic is one of the most successful baseball nations in the world, putting more players per capita in Major League Baseball than any other country. In addition to each MLB organization having an affiliate program in the Dominican, the highest level of baseball in the country is the Dominican Winter League, which features six teams composed of Major League players honing their skills in the off-season over a 60-game schedule. Franklin Pierce will attend a Dominican Winter League game as part of the trip.

The Ravens are coming off a 43-17-1 campaign in 2010 which saw the program capture its fifth NCAA Regional title in program history (2003, 2006, 2007, 2008), as well as the fourth in five seasons. Franklin Pierce went on to win two games at the NCAA Championship National Finals and finished as a national semifinalist for the third time in school history (2003, 2006).

Itinerary

Wednesday, Nov. 24
Arrive in Dominican Republic
Practice
Orientation

Thursday, Nov. 25
10 a.m. - Split-squad games against Baltimore Orioles and Minnesota Twins Dominican affiliates
Beach time
Evening Texas Hold ‘Em tournament

Friday, Nov. 26
10 a.m. – Game against Kansas City Royals Dominican affiliate
3 p.m. – Game against professional players in San Pedro

Saturday, Nov. 27
10 a.m. – Game against Boston Red Sox Dominican affiliate
Tour of historic colonial zone in Santo Domingo
Attend Dominican Winter League game

Sunday, Nov. 28
Assist with youth clinic for local kids
Depart Dominican Republic

For more information on Franklin Pierce Athletics, please visit the official website of Franklin Pierce Athletics (http://athletics.franklinpierce.edu). Also be sure to follow the Ravens through the Department of Athletics’ official Facebook page (http://www.facebook.com/FranklinPierceRavens), its YouTube channel (http://www.youtube.com/franklinpiercesports) and its Twitter feed (http://twitter.com/FPUathletics).