MIAMI, FL — There was a baseball game Wednesday night at loanDepot Park.
A highly-anticipated baseball game that included an absolutely wild crowd of 36,230—all of which would not stop airing out their emotion in support and to show their love for their country.
Whether through dancing, cheering, waving flags or playing one of several instruments such as bongos, claves, congas, cowbells, guiros, maracas, matracas, panderetas, tambourines, tamburas, and trumpets, along with several types of drums like buleadors, congas, panderos, and tamboras
The noise made by Dominicans and Venezuelans was heard. Loud and clear.
On each and every pitch. In between innings.
Nearly each second upon fans entering the ballpark three hours before first pitch.
And just as the opening bell was about to ring to start off the sixth-ever World Baseball Classic showdown between the pair of baseball-crazed countries, Dominican Republic’s lead-off hitter Fernando Tatis Jr. and Venezuela’s catcher William Contreras, greeting one another, shared a big hug then exchanged pats on the chest.
A clear act of brotherhood on baseball’s biggest international stage, one holding massive magnitude and bragging rights for each country, and a scene that shows—the end all be all is not about the competition between the lines.
But rather, enjoying the opportunity as a moment ensues.
Superstars Juan Soto and Ronald Acuña Jr., each winning LatinoMVP Awards throughout their illustrious careers, serving as individuals the youth look up to and dream of becoming, had a similar but more eye-opening, fun exchange in the outfield during warm-ups.
“As Latino players, of course there is some rivalry in these games, but we are family, and everything that happens on the field stays there,” said Soto. “Off the field, we are like brothers. We have a great relationship. We get along.”
Dominican Republic powers past Venezuela
As the action unfolded with Soto, Ketel Marte, Tatis Jr., and Vladimir Guerrero Jr., each connecting on thrilling home run swings to one up each other, Dominican Republic proved their firepower was just too much for Venezuela’s pitching to keep at bay—winning by a final score of 7-5.
While moving to a perfect 4-0 record in 2026 WBC Pool D play, with an absurd run differential of +31 (41 runs scored, 10 allowed), Dominican Republic, picking up their fifth win in the all-time series vs. Venezuela (5-1), successfully won Pool D and will now face Korea next in the WBC quarterfinals on Friday, March 13th in Miami.
For Venezuela, dropping to 3-1 in Pool D play but also moving on to the quarterfinals due their record across the four pool games, they must go up against the defending WBC champion Japan in Miami with their matchup scheduled on Saturday, March 14th.
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