In the Dominican Republic, baseball is the most popular sport. It’s loved by many people, especially by children. My dad grew up playing baseball and watching the Dominican Baseball League. His favorite team was the Leones del Escogido. When he came to the United States in 1990, specifically New York, he kept his passion for baseball, which then passed on to me. Around 2010, he signed me up for baseball teams, and I played for several years. I practiced on Thursdays and played games on Saturdays. On days I didn’t have a game, we would go to the park and practice ourselves. My younger self loved baseball; it got to the point where I wanted to become a professional baseball player. Throughout those several years, we lost many balls and none of them were particularly special. Though, one day in 2013, my dad surprised me with a gift. He bought me a baseball signed by many players. Unlike the other baseballs I’ve had before, this one was different. Although it wasn’t actually signed by the players, it felt special. Something about it told me that I couldn’t lose it. And I still haven’t. It serves as a memory to all the time and effort I put into getting better at baseball and the passion I had for it back then. I might not enjoy baseball as much as before, but it definitely shaped me into the person I am today. 

– Christopher Acosta

Relationship:  Child of im/migrant Child of im/migrant