Meet CenterLight PACE participant Pablo Soriano | How CenterLight Helps Pablo Keep His Baseball Spirit Alive
Once in love with baseball, always in love with baseball! According to his daughter, Nurys Wright, her father, CenterLight Healthcare Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE) participant Pablo Soriano, fell in love with the sport at the age of five, which is the typical starting age in the Dominican Republic. On the field, he is known as “El Zurdo,” Spanish for “left-handed.” There was no doubt he stood out in the field when he was able to pitch an 88-mph ball. In the Dominican Republic, it is known as “tirando piedras” or “throwing stones” in English, which means he threw the ball with force. This impressive skill enabled him to go through many games without allowing a single run to score against him.
Throughout the 1960s and 70s, Pablo traveled to Puerto Rico, Panama, Venezuela, and other South American countries for baseball. His daughter recalls how her father had the incredible opportunity to meet and play alongside the legendary Roberto Clemente. In fact, he even stayed at Clemente’s house in Puerto Rico. Nurys shares that Clemente recognized Pablo’s talent and was in the process of recommending him for the big leagues before his passing. Pablo continued to play in local teams in the Dominican Republic during the 1980s.
Pablo immigrated to New York City in 1991. He joined an all-timers league in his fifties, continuing to play until he retired in 2005. As a proud father of five, including four daughters and one son, he enjoys sharing his love for baseball with his family. Nurys mentions that he never misses a game, whether it is the Yankees or the Mets. Watching baseball is his favorite pastime. Pablo says with pride, “¡Yo soy pelotero!” when he gets to tell his story, Spanish for “I’m a baseball player!”
This centuries-old sport plays such an integral part in Pablo’s life, and he can still find joy in it. Thanks to our Therapeutic Recreation team here at CenterLight Healthcare PACE, they understand the importance of individual interests among our participants and work to create meaningful experiences for participants like him. They were able to organize a trip to see a live Mets Game against the Padres at Citi Field. During the game, Pablo sat with his friends, wearing the biggest smile on his face. “Nosotros somos par de fanáticos,” Pablo called out, which translates to “We are a couple of fans.” They cheered on the Mets as they hit multiple home runs! The game ended in a win for the Mets. Pablo left Citi Field feeling grateful and happy to have attended. His daughter, Nurys Wright, expressed her gratitude to CenterLight PACE for providing her dad with this experience. She says, “I was happy for him. He kept telling me about it every single day since the trip was announced by CenterLight staff, he was so excited. When he came home, he shared with me what happened in every inning.” Pablo Soriano has been a CenterLight PACE participant since 2024. Through these activities, the Therapeutic Recreation Team not only nurtures Pablo’s passion for baseball but also enhances his overall well-being and quality of life.
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Updated 09292025