¡Pa'lante! Kevin Reyes on La Vitilla, Baseball's Best-Kept Secret, and Building Community One Cap at a Time
What's the secret weapon behind the Dominican Republic's legendary baseball talent? It's not just raw skill — it's La Vitilla, a street game played with the plastic cap from a large water jug. This week, Led Black and Octavio Blanco sit down with Kevin Reyes, president and founder of Li Vido USA, the non-profit bringing this beloved Dominican pastime to the streets of New York City.
Kevin arrived in the United States in 2017 and, by 2023, had begun organizing Vitilla tournaments across New York's neighborhoods. What started as a small gathering of friends has grown into a full league, complete with drafts, MVPs, Cy Young awards, and a passionate multi-generational community.
In this episode, we cover:
- What La Vitilla actually is — and why hitting a bottle cap with a small bat is harder (and more effective) than it sounds
- Why Dominican baseball legends from David Ortiz to generations of MLB stars grew up playing Vitilla
- The upcoming Car-Free Earth Day Tournament on Saturday, April 25th, at 181st St. & St. Nicholas Ave. in Washington Heights — 16 teams, 10 AM to 3:30 PM, free to attend
- The 2025 regular season: 10 consecutive Sundays from May 17 to July 19 at Marble Hill Playground in the Bronx
- Kevin's plans to expand Vitilla to Florida, Pennsylvania, and beyond — and to send a diaspora all-star team to compete in the DR's Kings of the Street tournament in November
- The dream: getting Vitilla into NYC schools as an official after-school training program for young baseball players
- The power of social media, consistency, and faith in building something from nothing
A bilingual conversation full of heart, humor, and community pride. Whether you're Dominican, a baseball fan, or just someone who loves seeing immigrants build something beautiful — this episode is for you.
📍 Event Details:
- Earth Day Tournament: April 25, 10 AM–3:30 PM | 181st–182nd St. & St. Nicholas Ave., Washington Heights
- Regular Season: May 17 – July 19, Sundays 11 AM–4 PM | Marble Hill Playground, the Bronx
📲 Follow & Connect:
- Instagram: @lividoUSA
- Website: www.lividoUSA.org
¡Nos vemos el 25! See you on the 25th!
