When the Flags Were Raised and the Fire Ignited: La Serie Del Caribe in Orlando, Florida
- Bridge Play Foundation
- Mar 25
- 4 min read
Updated: Mar 26
A powerful experience presented by Bridge Play Foundation | Dedicated to Victor Castillo “Imperio”
The sun beamed down over Orlando, bathing the fields in golden light. The stands were packed, families waved their flags proudly, and the air pulsed with music, laughter, and the unmistakable cry of “¡dale, dale!” — the kind you only hear when the Caribbean comes together to play ball.
This wasn’t just a tournament.
It was La Serie Del Caribe, and it returned stronger than ever — full of pride, passion, and unforgettable moments.
Venezuela. Cuba. Dominican Republic. Puerto Rico.
Four nations. One shared dream.
A Tribute from the Heart
Among the crowd stood Victor Castillo, better known as Imperio. A player, a leader, a mentor. Founder of the legendary Team Imperio and a living icon in the softball communities of the U.S. and Dominican Republic.
This year, Bridge Play Foundation had the honor of dedicating the entire tournament to him. The applause he received wasn’t just out of respect — it was out of love. The kind of love you earn when you’ve given everything to the game.
Day 1: Chata Modificada – A Grand Slam for the History Books
The tournament kicked off with Chata Modificada, a strategic mix between fastpitch and slowpitch softball. All four teams faced off during the seeding round, but one game stole the show:
Venezuela vs. Dominican Republic.
Top of the 3rd inning. Dominican Republic leading 3–2. Venezuela had the bases loaded. At bat: #17 David Colina. On the mound: veteran pitcher and "The Captain" Osoria #34 from the Dominican Republic.
Colina hit two foul balls. The entire field held its breath.
Then came the pitch — a changeup.
BOOM!
Colina launched it over the left-field fence like it was nothing more than an aspirin floating in the air.
Grand Slam!
The crowd went wild. Even Dominican fans stood and applauded. Venezuela’s dugout stormed the field to welcome their hero.
After the game, Rosy Fernández — co-host of the TV show La Silla Caliente and CEO of Bridge Play Foundation — stepped up for the post-game interview:
“How does it feel to hit a grand slam in such a crucial moment for your team?” Colina smiled wide and answered,“It feels good, it feels good. Thank God I was able to hit that ball at just the right moment.” “Did you feel it? Did you know it was gone?” she asked. “Yes,” he replied with a proud laugh.
That moment changed everything. Venezuela took the lead 6–3… and remained undefeated for the rest of the tournament.
Cuba Says: We’re Not Done Yet
While the Dominican Republic was the heavy favorite to face Venezuela in the finals, Cuba had other plans.
After losing their first game to Venezuela, they came back swinging — defeating the Dominican Republic and mercy-ruling Puerto Rico. Their determination earned them the #2 seed and a shot at an unexpected rematch against Venezuela.
Their star pitcher, Alain López #21, affectionately known as “El Cubanito Sabroso,” was ready. Although visibly frustrated by a few of the umpire’s early calls, he kept his cool, found the strike zone, and led his team into the third inning with a 4–2 lead.
And then…the lights went out.
Literally.
The entire field went dark. According to tournament rules, the game had not reached the required inning length to be official — no champion could be declared.
A bittersweet ending to what had been an amazing day. But despite the letdown, the organizers offered sincere apologies and vowed to return next year, stronger and better prepared.
A big round of applause for Cuba and their fierce performance!
Day 2: Afueteo – The Whip of Chinchilla
Day two brought the heat.
Afueteo — a fast, whip-like, sidearm pitching style unique to Caribbean softball — lit up the field. It’s wild, intense, and thrilling to watch.
And at the heart of it all stood Elkis Chinchilla, pitcher for Venezuela.
In Game 1 of the best-of-three series against the Dominican Republic, Chinchilla dominated. The Dominican batters couldn’t touch him. One by one, they struck out.
Venezuela won 6–0, and it looked like the series was theirs.
But in Game 2, with Chinchilla resting, the Dominican Republic responded.
#118 Valencio kicked things off with the first hit of the day, setting the tone. Tio Trejo, pitching for the second straight game, led the charge with relentless energy. DR came alive and took the win 10–4. The crowd roared. The dugout exploded with cheers.
It all came down to Game 3.
Venezuela brought Chinchilla back in — no room for error this time. The Dominican team battled fiercely, made adjustments, and fought hard. But Chinchilla held strong once again. Venezuela won 7–2, securing the Afueteo championship.
More Than a Tournament
In the end, La Serie Del Caribe was about so much more than softball.
It was Colina’s faith in his swing.It was Alain López’s calm under pressure.It was Tio Trejo’s relentless leadership.It was Valencio’s spark.
It was Puerto Rico and every team playing with pride for their countries.It was national colors on every jersey — and unity after every game.
It was thanks to Bomba Capital and Tio Trejo, not only for their presence on the field but for their leadership and hard work in helping organize such a memorable event.
And to top it off — Philly Sports broadcast the tournament LIVE in Spanish, allowing fans from afar to experience every pitch, every hit, and every celebration as if they were right there.
Bridge Play Foundation is honored to have sponsored and lived this unforgettable experience.
🎥 Want to relive every moment?Subscribe to our YouTube channel to watch full games, interviews, and the best highlights.
See you next year.
Bigger. Stronger. More united. More Caribbean.
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