Padres All-Star Luis Arraez credits childhood game

HOUSTON – For Luis Arraez, his elite hand-eye coordination at the plate is rooted from a children’s game he played in his home country. The San Felipe, Venezuela, native would routinely play chapita on weekends with his family.

Chapita is a version of stick ball. A pitcher tosses a bottle cap to a batter who is holding a stick to try to strike the small piece of metal.

It is similar to the Dominican Republic’s version that is called vitilla. 

Chapita

Arraez enjoyed playing chapita. His relatives would challenge him by throwing the bottle cap that would swerve in many unpredictable directions. A young Arraez was tasked to hit the flying object as hard as he could. The three-time All-Star usually made contact. 

The game is popular with many Latino children as many kids find any way to play baseball with limited resources. However, the vision to hit the moving sphere with a tiny circumference has aided Arraez to become a renowned contact hitter. 

“In reality it does help us,” Arraez said. “It helps us make contact, and I liked playing chapita.”

Arraez, 28, has won three consecutive batting titles. He is the first player to win batting titles with three different teams. In his seven years in the majors, the 5-foot-10 utility infielder has finished with a batting average below .300 only once.

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Moreover, he had a streak of 141 plate appearances without a strikeout a year ago, which tied the Padres’ franchise record. That stats is impressive, considering Hall of Famer Tony Gwynn was a Padres legend and one of the best contact hitters ever.

The streak was ended by Astros pitcher Spencer Arrighetti. 

Luis Arraez keeps routine

The two-time Silver Slugger has regularly demonstrated his tenacity off the field. Arraez starts his day at around mid-morning to eat breakfast. On travel days, his hitting preparation starts in his hotel room. He grabs a hitting tee and sets up a hitting station in his room. He visualizes his approach on the diamond. 

“My routine is to sleep as much as I can and eat breakfast,” he said. “I do my routine in my hotel room, which is to place a tee and work on my hitting routine. I come to the stadium ready, because I don’t like to come to the stadium to get ready.”

In Friday night’s game against Houston, Luis Arraez went 3-for-5 in a 6-4 defeat. In his second at-bat, he hit a single to center field off Astros rookie pitcher Ryan Gusto. 

Al infinito y más allá 🚀 pic.twitter.com/io8OLmNdXj

— San Diego Padres (@Padres) April 19, 2025

Following another single in the fifth, the left-handed batter hit a two-run home run off southpaw Bryan King. He pulled a high and inside 93-mph fastball and hit it just over the outreached glove of right fielder Cam Smith, who made a leaping attempt at the wall.

Team Venezuela

In a clubhouse surrounded by All-Stars, Arraez’s leadership stands out. He may not be the loudest in the room, but his work ethic has certainly spread throughout the Padres. 

“Nothing on the field has surprised me because I’ve seen him playing for so long,” Padres infielder Conner Joe said. “What has surprised me is how much energy he brings to the clubhouse day in and day out. He’s also a really good teammate.”

With the World Baseball Classic happening next year, Luis Arraez hopes to don the Venezuela colors. He participated in the 2023 WBC, where he slugged two home runs against Team USA in the quarterfinals. He would be ready to play if given the opportunity once again. 

One thing is certain as long as Arraez is in the batters box, he has the potential to hit every pitch. His excellent vision at the plate was developed through countless hours playing chapita and his tremendous work ethic.