How Dominican Republic sluggers are lighting up 2026 WBC

"That bat flip -- I don't know where that came from. It came out of my hand and I was like, 'My god, what did I just do?' And then, imagine -- that stadium vibrating, the energy from my teammates. It's something that you just feel."

"The Dominican Republic stood out from the start of this World Baseball Classic because of the superstars that line its roster, a level of talent that rivals that of the United States and makes it among the favorites to win the tournament. What has stood out since, after four consecutive pool-play victories, is how much fun its players have, a joy that manifests in the way they celebrate home runs."

"Dominican players have homered a WBC-leading 13 times already, and basically every one of them has been theater. They flip their bats or outright slam them. They stop to admire and often yell toward their teammates. They high-step around first base, gesture at the crowd when they reach third, conduct elaborate handshakes after crossing home plate and are met with a series of props."

Fernando Tatís Jr. hit a 394-foot home run for the Dominican Republic against Venezuela, releasing his bat instinctively at 105 mph during the swing. The Dominican team has dominated the World Baseball Classic with four consecutive pool-play victories and leads the tournament with 13 home runs. Their players celebrate each home run with theatrical flair, including bat flips, high-stepping around bases, gestures toward crowds, and elaborate handshakes. Teammates greet returning players with personalized jackets, flag-colored necklaces, and other props. Five of the six longest home run trots in the tournament have come from Dominican players, each exceeding 30 seconds, showcasing the team's infectious joy and camaraderie.

Read at ESPN.com