Nicaragua's Pasttime

We went to a baseball game in Sahsa, the second I've seen in Nicaragua. Interestingly enough, the leader of the local health center, Sergio, is also the starting pitcher for the Sahsa baseball team. Baseball is one of the most important events around town, as evidenced by the fact that the baseball jerseys were completely spotless and clean before the game. Players walk around town in their jerseys sometimes, even when there isn't a game (or at least one that I know of). On this particular day, Sahsa was engaged in a heated battle against Kukalaya, a nearby village.

Boys of Summer:


Boys in Blue, keeping the peace.


Actually, while we were there, one guy got into a fracas with the police. I'm not exactly sure what happened, but the guilty party basically got embarrassed in front of most of the town. Then as the police walked away, the guy grabbed a log and started chasing after the police. The towns people shouted to the police, who turned around and re-disciplined him. There are 6 police officers in Sahsa, all of whom are voluntary.

Safety is probably a bigger issue out here than back in Leon. I wouldn't have felt particularly comfortable walking around alone at night around Sahsa. Even while we were in Rosita, I didn't feel completely safe. I was never threatened or anything, but I did see a street fight on the main drag there during my brief stay.