As a boy growing up in the Dominican Republic, Ezequiel Astacio dreamed of becoming a professional baseball player.

Astacio's family, however, didn't have the means to buy him a baseball bat — or even a baseball.

"This is what we used," Astacio said, producing a broomstick and a plastic water bottle cap. "Just things that are easy to get from home."

And that's all that's needed for a baseball-style game Dominicans call "vitilla." It's where Astacio got his start — one that would lead him to a career as a Major League Baseball pitcher.

On Saturday, Astacio, who played for the Houston Astros, readied for a game of vitilla on North Wyoming Street in Hazleton. The game, which is similar to stickball, was among the activities held during the inaugural Wyoming Street Block Party organized by the Greater Hazleton Hispanic Business Association and the Society of Hispanic Professionals of the Hazleton area.

Astacio, who was obtained by the Astros from the Philadelphia Phillies in 2003, practiced hitting bottle caps before the game. The caps are whizzed Frisbee-style, and can be taken in different directions by the smallest gust of wind.

Asked which is more difficult — baseball or vitilla — Astacio said, "It depends."

"It's a fun way to pass time," he noted.

The games drew an enthusiastic crowd, who cheered for players and danced to merengue music.

Elsewhere on the street, store owners like Marta Monegro of Marta's Variedades offered sidewalk sales.

Monegro said the block party was a good way to draw people to her store, which sells clothing, shoes, jewelry, perfumes and other items.

The block party featured games for children and a visit from Payaso Tun-Tun, or Tun-Tun the Clown.

Wearing colorful clothes to match his multi-hued hair, Tun-Tun painted children's faces and twisted balloons into different shapes.

Food vendors, like Maria's Hot Dogs and Chili, served up traditional and not-so-traditional treats.

"Empanadas are our best seller. We also sell kabobs, and kipe, which is a wheat ball stuffed with meat," Jessica Rodriguez explained.

Nearby, another vendor crushed ice and added flavorings to make piraguas, which are similar to snow cones.

As the afternoon wore on, folks played dominoes from sidewalk tables and enjoyed live traditional Dominican music.

"This is a good opportunity for the community to get involved and a good opportunity to get people out of their homes," said Ray Colon, of Hazleton.

Fermin Diaz, vice president of the Society of Hispanic Professionals, said the event was in the works for three months.

Planners wanted to showcase local businesses, and give people the chance to mingle with others. It was also a way to present the achievements of all area residents.

"Together, we are strong," Diaz said.

jwhalen@standardspeaker.com