Red Bull Brings 'Clásico De Vitilla' Tournament To Bronx, Shows How Major League Baseball Players Started Out

Red Bull hosted the first Red Bull Clásico de Vitilla at the Joseph Yancey Track and Field in Macombs Dam Park on Sept. 20. Vitilla is a form of street baseball played with a plastic bottle cap and broomstick that started in the 70's and is still highly popular in the Dominican Republic.

Dominican children often learn how to play this sport to display their skills and to help improve their chances for success in professional baseball.

“I remember playing as a kid and really looking up to the older characters that were well known in the Dominican Republic,” said Pedro Mejia, a member of the winning team, Betayah Bombers, in the Amateur Player category. “So winning today in my home city of New York brings me back to the happy place of my childhood.”

Sixteen teams of four, played tournament style throughout the day, declaring a winner in both an Amateur and Experienced category.

“We were really determined because we used to play together, so we felt we couldn’t lose,” said Team Giants player Richardson Valdez. “It’s a special win for us because a tournament like this shines a light on a fun and joyful part of Dominican culture."

Red Bull has previously sponsored Vitilla tournaments in the Dominican Republic, but this is the first time they've sponsored a tournament in the U.S.