SANTO DOMINGO.- Dominican winter baseball began last October, with six teams vying for the 2025-2026 crown of the national sport, baseball, a discipline that has given the country multiple legendary figures who are now part of world archives.
Stadiums are the venues where tournaments take place. One of the most emblematic is Cibao Stadium, located in Santiago de los Caballeros, inaugurated on October 25, 1958, as Leonidas Rhadamés Stadium. It was built by engineer Bienvenido Martínez Brea and has since been the site of many great moments in Dominican baseball.
This stadium has a capacity of 18,077 spectators, making it the largest in the Dominican Professional Baseball League. Its design follows the characteristics of a traditional stadium, with stands distributed around the diamond and specific areas for the public, press, players, and sponsors.
Structure and capacity
The field measures 335 feet to left and right field, 365 feet to the side fields, and 385 feet to center field. The surface is natural grass and features a drainage system that has been improved during several renovations.
The stadium has undergone five major renovations. The first was in 1974, when the stands were expanded with the addition of bleachers behind the outfield. In 2004, the field was resurfaced and a new electronic scoreboard was installed.
For the 2006-2007 season, a digital scoreboard was installed in center field. In 2007, a major renovation was undertaken, including improvements to the visiting dugout, main entrance, bullpen, batting cage, and a multipurpose platform. The most recent improvement, focused on the playing field, was completed in 2022.
These improvements have allowed the stadium to remain functional and be adapted to the demands of professional baseball. The renovations have included technical aspects such as the electrical system, lighting, playing field conditions, and aesthetic elements.
The stadium also features locker rooms, administrative offices, broadcast booths, public service areas, and a trophy room. Its structure has been optimized to provide suitable conditions for both players and spectators.
The layout of the spaces is based on functional and safety criteria. The digital scoreboard, access areas, and maintenance zones have been updated to meet current professional league standards.
Cibao Stadium
is known as "The Valley of Death" due to the Águilas Cibaeñas' winning streak on their home field. It has hosted the Caribbean Series twice: in 1976 (shared with Quisqueya Stadium) and in 2008 (as the sole venue). In 2014, a fire damaged the VIP boxes, administrative offices, and press rooms, but repairs were completed that same month.
Source: Wikipedia – Cibao Stadium.
