Hanley Ramírez and Rafael Soriano at the National Palace

On Friday, Dominican President Leonel Fernández welcomed to his National Palace office two well-known Dominican pitchers: Hanley Ramírez of the Florida Marlins and Rafael Soriano of Tampa Bay. They talked about their plans in the big league for the coming year.

Fast ball pitcher Ramírez, after leaving the President’s office, told reporters that President Fernández shared a few batting secrets with him.

Others present at the meeting with the baseball players included Felipe-Jey-Payano, Minister of Sports; Luís Manuel Bonetti, Administrative Secretary of the Presidency and Minister for Public Works, Víctor Díaz Rúa.

Fast ball pitcher Ramírez, after leaving the President’s office, told reporters that President Fernández shared a few batting secrets with him. “Yes, he was showing me a few things so I can get back and hit 40 homeruns,” he said. Soriano, joining in, said he thanked the President for the way he was helping the Haitian people after the January 12th earthquake.

The pitchers gave the President two framed uniform shirts from their respective baseball teams and a baseball bat from Hanley Ramírez who was the leading batter last year in the National League.

The baseball players visited President Fernández before leaving for next season’s spring training.