In the rural parts of Dominican Republic, there are no plush turf baseball fields.

An open patch of dirt and weeds is where kids play baseball.

There are no fences around the ball field. Instead, grazing cows serve as the home run marker.

Players arrive at the baseball field on horse rather than in a car.

There is no such thing as concession stands in this country, which has about a third of its population living under the poverty line.

Many of the kids love to play baseball, but can’t because they don’t have shoes or a shirt to wear.

The Overlake-Bear Creek baseball team recently got to see firsthand the harsh realities of this Caribbean country along with the passion and fortitude of its residents.

Earlier this month, three coaches and 13 players embarked on a one-week service trip to the Dominican Republic, where they held a skills clinic for underprivileged kids, visited an all-boys orphanage and provided food for families in need.

The Growls did play four baseball games against local teams, but this trip wasn’t about sharpening their baseball skills.

It was all about helping others while building team camaraderie, according to Growls head coach Mike Davidson.

“The truth is, it was never a baseball trip first,” said Davidson. “That was just the context to get this group together. It was first and foremost a service trip.”

The trip was part of Overlake’s service project week. There were three students from the Bear Creek School who went along on the trip and the school’s administration was in full support of the program, Davidson said.

The trip was administered by an organization called SCORE International, which specializes in mission trips to the Dominican Republic and other countries, including trips for sports teams.

During their trip, the Growls didn’t get any wins on the baseball field, but they scored plenty of victories with the people they met along the way.

Overlake sophomore Zander Gosanko organized a used baseball gear drive before the trip that generated 200 pounds of baseball gloves, bats, shoes and more. During the trip, players gave the gear out to opposing team members and the kids they taught at a skills clinic in Boca Chica.

Growl players also gave Dominican Republic players their practice jerseys, hats and bats and sometimes even their shoes after the game.

“It was a great feeling that we were able to help kids play baseball, which is something they love to do,” said Gasanko.

Even in warm ups and in between innings, the Dominican Republic players played with an unrivaled passion and fire, according to Growl players and coaches.

“Just watching them warm up, you could see they really love baseball,” said Overlake senior Michael Andrea, one of six seniors who made the trip. “Coming back here we really realized how good we have it and that makes us love the sport that much more.”

The trip has certainly had an impact on the Growls as they have won four of their five games since returning from the trip. While the wins are racking up for the Growls, their new perspective on life and the meaning of team will never be forgotten.

“This trip was amazing,” Gasanko said. “It definitely made me value what I have and made be thankful that I get to carry a team bag to the ball park.”