LIDOM Teams Explained: Meet All 6 Dominican Winter League Clubs

Introduction: Six Teams, One Baseball-Obsessed Island

Ask a Dominican, “¿De qué equipo tú eres?” and you won’t get a neutral answer.

You’ll get a story.

Because in the Dominican Republic, LIDOM teams aren’t just logos. They represent:

• Cities and regions
• Family traditions
• Pride that stretches across generations

If you’re new to LIDOM—or you’ve only heard names like Licey or Águilas in passing—this guide will walk you through all six teams, what they represent, and why they matter.

1. Tigres del Licey (Santo Domingo)

City/Region: Santo Domingo
Colors: Blue and white
Reputation: Tradition, history, and a massive fan base

Licey is one of the oldest and most successful teams in Dominican baseball. For many fans in the capital, being “Liceísta” is almost a family identity.

• Known for deep playoff runs
• Home to many Dominican and MLB stars over the years
• Central to the league’s biggest rivalry with Águilas Cibaeñas

If you like tradition, history, and a little bit of swagger, Licey might be your team.

2. Leones del Escogido (Santo Domingo)

City/Region: Santo Domingo
Colors: Red and black
Reputation: Proud, historic, sharing the capital with Licey

Leones del Escogido share a stadium with Licey but have their own strong identity and loyal fan base.

• Multiple championships
• A history of producing and hosting elite talent
• A classic red-and-black look that stands out in any crowd

The Licey–Escogido dynamic is like a city divided between two powerful families. Same home, different flags.

3. Águilas Cibaeñas (Santiago)

City/Region: Santiago and the Cibao region
Colors: Yellow and black
Reputation: Passionate, intense, fiercely regional

If Licey represents the capital, Águilas represent the Cibao, the rich northern region known for its baseball talent.

• One of the most successful franchises in LIDOM history
• A fan base that fills the stadium and lives every pitch
• Central to the legendary Licey–Águilas rivalry

If you like underdog energy mixed with powerhouse results—and you love the north—Águilas might be your team.

4. Estrellas Orientales (San Pedro de Macorís)

City/Region: San Pedro de Macorís and the eastern region
Colors: Green and white
Reputation: Heart of “The Cradle of Shortstops”

San Pedro de Macorís is famous for producing a remarkable number of MLB players, especially shortstops.

Estrellas Orientales carry that legacy:

• A proud, green-clad fan base
• Deep roots in one of the most baseball-rich cities in the DR
• A sense of representing a region that’s punched above its weight in MLB history

If you love the idea of cheering for a team from a true baseball factory, Estrellas are for you.

5. Toros del Este (La Romana)

City/Region: La Romana and surrounding areas
Colors: Orange and black
Reputation: Growing brand, strong recent success

Toros del Este represent La Romana, a city known for tourism, sugar, and of course, baseball.

• A more modern brand compared to some of the older clubs
• Competitive teams in recent years
• A fan base that’s growing in size and confidence

If you like the idea of backing a team that’s still building its legacy, the Toros are a great choice.

6. Gigantes del Cibao (San Francisco de Macorís)

City/Region: San Francisco de Macorís and the Cibao region
Colors: Typically burgundy and white
Reputation: Newer franchise with a big punch

Gigantes del Cibao are one of the newer faces in LIDOM compared to giants like Licey and Águilas, but they’ve quickly earned respect.

• Represent another proud corner of the Cibao
• Have built competitive rosters and passionate local support
• Add another layer to the “capital vs. Cibao” dynamic

If you like newer franchises that aren’t weighed down by 70 years of history, Gigantes might be your team.

Why These Teams Matter Beyond the Scoreboard

Each of these six clubs:

• Represents a region where kids grow up dreaming of wearing those colors
• Connects local communities to LIDOM and MLB
• Gives young players role models who look like them and speak their language

But here’s the key:

For every kid who grows up to play for Licey, Águilas, or any other LIDOM team, there are thousands more who never make it that far.

Those kids still need:

• Safe places to play
• Coaches and mentors who care about them as people
• A real education, not just a baseball plan

How Empower Baseball Fits Into the LIDOM Story

Empower Baseball isn’t a LIDOM team.
We don’t play in giant stadiums or on national TV.

We work in Barahona, on fields where:

• Cleats are shared
• Gloves are patched and re-patched
• School and survival are daily realities

But the kids we work with?

They know all six LIDOM teams.
They know the rivalries.
They know the stars.

We’re tapping into that same passion—but with a different foundation:

You can dream of LIDOM.
You can dream of MLB.
But you must stay in school.

We’re building a future where:

• Some of our players might one day wear those professional uniforms
• All of them will have options beyond baseball

Call to Action: Choose a Team, Then Choose to Help

If you’ve made it this far, here’s your homework:

1. Pick a LIDOM team to follow this winter.
2. Look up a highlight clip or check a box score.
3. Then ask yourself: “What about the kids who never get this far?”

If you want to support those kids—the ones still in dusty fields, still in crowded classrooms, still dreaming—here’s how:

• Join The Dugout, our monthly giving community.
• Make a one-time donation to help us keep kids in school and on the field.
• Share this article with a friend who loves Dominican baseball.

You can learn more and give at:
Empower Baseball