Marlins Park to host Serie de las Americas

MIAMI -- Caribbean Series passion is making its way to Marlins Park.

The Marlins on Friday announced the launching of Serie de las Americas, a two-day event in November that will feature traditional powers from the Dominican Republic and Venezuela.

"We look forward to making it a huge success on an annual basis," said Claude Delorme, Miami Marlins executive vice president of operations and events. "In 2009 and 2013, we were fortunate to host the World Baseball Classic, second round. To [see] first-hand the passion of the fans and the love for the game."

Serie de las Americas will feature two teams from the Dominican Republic and Venezuela playing two-games each day. The event will be on Nov. 21-22, with tickets going on sale Saturday at 10 a.m. ET.

Representing the Dominican Republic will be Tigres de Licey and Aguilas Cibaenas, bitter rivals compared to the Yankees and Red Sox.

Licey, established in 1907, has 21 Dominican Winter League titles. Aguilas, born in 1937, have 20 titles.

From Venezuela will be Navegantes del Magallanes and Cardenales de Lara.

The Dominican teams will play each other on the first day, as will the Venezuelan squads. The winners and losers from the first day will face each other on the second day, and a champion will be crowned.

Adding to the intensity is the fact these games will count in the Winter League standings.

Former big league manager, Manny Acta, the general manager of Licey, makes it clear the teams will be ready to compete.

"This is going to be great, bringing our baseball here to Miami," Acta said. "I know a lot of Hispanics don't have the opportunity to go back to their countries and be able to enjoy Winter Ball.

"People really don't grasp what it is, a game against the Aguilas and the Tigers de Licey. Those who have been there, done that, OK, you're going to see it in the United States. I want to see the people who haven't had the opportunity to see it, especially the U.S. citizens over here who want to watch baseball."

Miami has hosted the Caribbean Series before, in 1990 at the Orange Bowl, which is the site of Marlins Park. And in 1991, it was at the old Bobby Maduro Miami Stadium, which no longer exits.

Serie de las Americas will be televised by ESPN Deportes.

"It's going to be exciting," Acta said. "We are not bringing here our B Teams or anything like that. We're going to have our best teams on the field."