BOSTON, MA – The Red Sox announced today a lineup of community engagement events in the Dominican Republic and Massachusetts leading up to two exhibition matchups with the Tampa Bay Rays on March 9-10 in Santo Domingo as part of MLB's World Tour Series. On Friday, March 8, Hall of Famer David Ortiz will visit pediatric patients and staff at CEDIMAT Hospital in Santo Domingo. Prior to Saturday’s contest, current Red Sox Players are scheduled to join the Tampa Bay Rays for a PLAY BALL event hosted by Major League Baseball in Santo Domingo. In Lawrence, the club will host a free watch party for the community as the Red Sox take on the Rays at 5:05 p.m. EST.
The inaugural Dominican Republic Series is the first leg of the World Tour that will also see Major League Baseball’s season opener in Seoul, South Korea, with subsequent stops in Mexico City, Mexico, and London, England as part of a league-wide initiative to grow the sport’s global fanbase.
Additional details on community events are below.
CEDIMAT Hospital Visit
On Friday, March 8, Hall of Famer David Ortiz will visit patients and staff at CEDIMAT Hospital, a Cardiovascular Center in Santo Domingo. In partnership with the David Ortiz Children’s Fund, CEDIMAT Hospital provides pediatric cardiac surgeries to low-income families, facilitates international pediatric cardiac care training missions, and supports diagnostic outreach in rural communities. Visit is closed to media.
Major League Baseball PLAY BALL Clinic
On Saturday, March 9, current Red Sox Players are scheduled to participate in a PLAY BALL event for local youth from the Nike RBI Dominicana league in Santo Domingo, hosted by Major League Baseball. The event, which will also include the Tampa Bay Rays, will focus on the game of “Vitilla,” Dominican Republic’s version of stickball, often played with a broomstick and bottle cap as bat and ball, respectively.
WHEN: Saturday, March 9
9:15 a.m. – 11:15 a.m. (AST)
WHERE: Quisqueya Juan Marichal Ens Stadium
Estadio Quisqueya Juan Marichal Ens. La Fé, Av. Tiradentes
Event is open to media.
CONTACT: Daveson Perez, Boston Red Sox, dperez@redsox.com
Lawrence Community Watch Party
On Saturday, March 9, the club will host a free community watch party at Terra Luna Cafe, a local Dominican-owned restaurant in Lawrence, MA. The watch party will include photo opportunities with World Series trophies, as well as complimentary food and non-alcoholic beverages, music by local DJ Angel Alba, and family friendly activities. All fans who attend the event will receive two free tickets to a Red Sox game at Fenway Park on April 10 or April 11, 2024. Approximately 280 free tickets were made available for this watch party, and the event has reached capacity.
WHEN: Saturday, March 9
Doors open at 4:30 p.m. for a 5:05 p.m. (EST) first pitch.
Event is open to media. Media are asked to RSVP by 5 p.m. on Friday, March 8
WHERE: Terra Luna Cafe
225 Essex Street, Lawrence, MA
CONTACT: Kate Reilly, Boston Red Sox, kreilly@redsox.com