Dominican baseball non-profits: Boston teen takes part in Lindos Suenos program

Like a number of MLB players and teams, the Red Sox are very active in signing Dominican free agents and developing them into big league players. The team is also active in giving back to the Dominican Republic.

They run a non-profit program called Lindos Suenos, or beautiful dreams. The program pairs Boston area teens with Dominican teens in an effort to repair and rebuild houses in Dominican communities. Each year ten Boston teens and ten Dominican teens are paired up and live at a Dominican resort for a couple weeks. In the mornings they rebuild houses and in the afternoons they play baseball at the Red Sox Dominican baseball academy.

American teen Austin Rubino recently participated in the program and says that he went down to learn about Dominican baseball, but mainly to help people. “Definitely working on the homes, that’s the main reason I wanted to be down there, to help these people out,” said Rubino.

The group did get to play some baseball though. They played against other MLB teams’ academy programs as well as a team representing Santo Domingo.

There have been a number of college or church groups get together similar mission work/baseball playing trips, but this is the first program of this nature that the Dominican Baseball Guy has seen put together by an MLB team. It is a great effort by the Red Sox to give back to the Dominican community in which they have a Dominican baseball academy. More teams should follow their lead and have similar programs.

Dominican Republic Sports & Education Academy's second annual "Making A Difference In The Dominican Republic" event honors MLB executive Lou Melendez

This Friday, June 29, The Dominican Republic Sports and Education Academy (DRSEA) will host its second annual gala in New York City, and honor longtime MLB executive Lou Melendez. The event is co-hosted by the DRSEA, along with the Juan Pablo Duarte Foundation, the New York Dominican Officers Organization, and Dominicans on Wall Street.

Melendez is retiring after 29 years with Major League Baseball. He spent 17 years as a lawyer in the MLB Labor Department, and the last 12 years as vice president of international operations. In that capacity he opened the MLB office in the Dominican Republic in 2000, and since then has worked with player education and community outreach in the Dominican Republic.

Melendez will be a panelist for the event's discussion on Dominican baseball, as will DRSEA co-founder Charles S. Farrell, along with several other panel guests.

Mr. Farrell has worked with diversity and equity in sports for many years. He is a founder at Sports Perspectives International and directed Rainbow Sports, a division of the Rainbow/PUSH Coalition. He has testified before Congress on racial equity in sports and been published many times on the issue. Mr. Farrell first worked with MLB on Dominican baseball in 2000 and then again in 2004.

In a phone conversation with the Dominican Baseball Guy, Mr. Farrell recalled those first conferences and why he decided to start the DRSEA. “The first question that prospects asked was ‘how do I open a bank account?’ After that my partner Harold [Mendez] and I came up with the concept for an academy, and our end goal was that education is the critical thing.

“We figured we could use these guy’s baseball skills to get them into colleges, and even if they did not make it in baseball, they would have the education and could return to the Dominican Republic and be leaders of their communities.”

Mr. Farrell moved to the Dominican Republic in 2008 to work full time on getting the DRSEA off the ground. “We developed an education program for the DRSEA that includes English, math, history, but also critical thinking and the ability to analyze information effectively. The culture shock [for a Dominican player coming to the US] in itself can be horrendous. Anything you can do to help educate them to help make decisions on their feet is a positive.”

Farrell feels that MLB and baseball investors have the responsibility to help educate their Dominican prospects. “Any entity that invests $125 million into a community has a responsibility to do something positive. They are getting a lot out of the country, so I think education is the least they can provide for the players. And only the Pirates have a mandatory education program for Dominican prospects.”

Farrell hopes MLB teams continue to improve educational aspects fo their development programs, but he is not going to wait around on the teams.  The DRSEA plans to provide high level high school educations to Dominican baseball prospects. The goal is to open in September. The DRSEA plans to share facilities with a local school and a local baseball academy until they raise enough money to have their own facilities.

Farrell wants kids to realize that both baseball and education are options:

We are looking for that kid whose objective is to get an education AND play baseball. That’s really our goal is to develop top-notch college players, and if they reach a level where they can play professionally then fine. We want them to have the option like US high school players that get drafted. They can choose to go strait to the minor leagues, or they can say ‘I want to go to college and play and get my education and then go to the professional ranks.’ Isn’t it great to have that option?

Farrell is excited about the possibilities DRSEA can bring to Dominican youth ballplayers. He is also ready for the event in New York on Friday: “It is a two-fold event, to have a moment to honor Lou Melendez, and a critical discussion about what is going on in Dominican Baseball.”

The mission of the DRSEA is "to educate young and gifted student athletes in the Dominican Republic, help develop their baseball skills and give them the tools to success in life on and off the field." The DRSEA aims to prepare boys to have the opportunity for college scholarships through its educational programs. Please visit the DRSEA website for more info on the conference and/or to make a donation.

Dodgers' Dominican coach Manny Mota to have annual golf tournament in Los Angeles

Dodgers coach Manny Mota is the longest tenured coach in Major League Baseball.  In fact, his 32 years as a Dodgers coach make him the second-longest tenured coach in the history of the game.

Manny Mota first appeared in an MLB game in 1962 as a 19 year old from the Dominican Republic.  He quickly established himself as a quality hitter and eventually made his way to the Dodgers, where he finished off his career from 1969-1982.  He appeared in four World Series with the Dodgers and won one as a player.  After his playing career he moved right into coaching with the Dodgers and won another World Series in 1988.  He has been with them ever since.

Mota was a .300 lifetime hitter as a player and retired as the all-time leader in pinch hits.  But he is probably best known for his role..or mentioning...in the movie Airplane:

Pinch hitting for Pedro Borbon....Manny Mota mota mota.

The eighth annual Field of Dreams Charity Golf Tournament will be held Thursday, Aug. 23, at California Country Club in Whittier. It benefits the Manny Mota International Foundation programs in the United States and Dominican Republic. The mission of the Manny Mota International Foundation is to provide educational, health and recreational opportunities for the underprivileged, especially disadvantaged youth.  Visit Manny Mota's website for more information or to register for the tournament:  http://www.mannymotagolf.com/

Dominican coach Manny Mota is from Santo Domingo, Republica Dominicana.

The Cano Baseball Experience: culture and baseball in the Dominican Republic

Yankees all-star and perennial MVP candidate Robinson Cano has been trained most of his life by his father.  While growing up and training in the Dominican Republic, Cano and his father have both lived and trained in the United States since Robinson started as a professional stateside.   The Canos have come to realize the benefits of understanding baseball and the culture of two countries.

The Canos are not alone in realizing the need and the market for cultural immersion activities around Dominican baseball.  People know that Dominicans are great at baseball and they know that the game occupies a central part of Dominican culture.  So, people want to learn more about the game and see more of Dominican baseball, whether it be in the United States or in the Dominican Republic.

In recent years there have been many groups involved in cultural immersion programs that feature Dominican baseball.  The TCU baseball team made a trip to play some games in the Dominican Republic.  A group of Arkansas baseball players took a missionary trip to the country.  Beyond the Game is a sports tourism company that leads trips to the Dominican Republic in which clients get a crash course in Dominican baseball and culture.

And of course, Major League Baseball and it's teams are growing their cultural development programs for Dominican players.  Even American players are learning Spanish and growing their baseball knowledge by learning more about baseball in the Dominican Republic.

So, in this tradition, Robinson Cano and his father are offering the Cano Baseball Experience.  From the website:

The Canó Baseball Experience (CBE) is a unique, authentic Dominican baseball experience. CBE is directed by Jose Canó, father of New York Yankees All-Star second baseman Robinson Canó and former Major League Baseball pitcher. After years of training Robinson, Jose and Robinson decided it would be great to share the experience of authentic Dominican baseball, Canó style. The goal of CBE is not only to instill and further the most core and fundamental baseball skills and instincts, but to also allow for an appreciation of the game and art of baseball. Your Canó Baseball Experience will last a lifetime, while testing and improving your baseball aptitude and allowing you to experience the methods that make Canó what he is.

So, the Cano Baseball Experience will be grounded more in growing baseball skills and aptitude.  But there will also be a cultural component in that American baseball players will be learning from a Dominican coach.  The Canos will also be offering the experience in Cano's hometown, San Pedro de Macoris.  So, players that choose to have the experience in San Pedro will be visiting one of the most historic baseball towns in the world, and be gaining invaluable cultural knowledge.

So, the Cano Baseball Experience also sees the immersion into Dominican baseball culture as an important aspect.  According to Robinson Cano:

My dad and I have been talking about giving kids a chance to experience baseball, the way I grew up learning it in the Dominican Republic; the whole idea of The Canó Baseball Experience is more than just baseball, its about culture and sharing the Dominican Republic with the kids of the US.

Visit the Cano Baseball Experience website to register:

Dominican Golf: Albert Pujols to host celebrity golf tournament

Dominican baseball player Albert Pujols is the best player in the game by most accounts. He moved to the west coast this year for the first time in his career. This is a major loss for his old team the Cardinals, and major addition for the Angels. But it is perhaps an even bigger loss for the city of Saint Louis.

His move to Los Angeles will also affect his charitable givings. Albert is well known to be at the head of the Pujols Family Foundation, a non-profit that contributes to families of children with Down syndrome and helps poverty-stricken families in his native Dominican Republic.

Albert is a legend in Saint Louis both for his on-field work, and for his charitable work.

The Pujols Family Foundation has hosted a golf tournament for the last nine years in the Saint Louis area, but this year his annual golf tournament will be taking place in Southern California at the Trump National Golf Club in Rancho Palos Verdes, California.

Albert is excited to host the tournament and all his celebrity friends:

"We are excited to show the people of Southern California what the Pujols Family Foundation is all about," Pujols said in a statement. "This is a great day for the Foundation, and to host our event at a course like Trump National is pretty special."

The tournament will take place on July 26th and all proceeds benefit the Pujols Family Foundation. Visit the charity's website for more information:

Dominican player Hanley Ramirez of the Miami Marlins signs deal to wear New Balance cleats

Dominican player Hanley Ramirez has been one of the most talked Dominican baseball players in recent years. He had a down year last year.  He is off to a slow start this year.  But the Dominican Baseball Guy still says he is a perennial MVP candidate, and has the sweetest swing in the game.

Ramirez will be wearing a brand new line of custom New Balance baseball cleats this season as he roams the left side of the infield for the Miami Marlins, according to a press release from New Balance.  The shoes (christened the MB4040 baseball spikes) look pretty slick, and according to Ramirez they are one of the top shoes on the market:

“The 4040 is light and comfortable, I feel speedy, and they also look good. New Balance has the whole package,” says Ramirez.

As part of the deal, New Balance has agreed to support Ramirez in his charitable endeavors throughout the course of the contract.  To start that charitable partnership the Dominican player Ramirez and New Balance will auction off a pair of game-worn, signed cleats for the benefit of the Marlins Foundation.

Hanley Ramirez is excited about the possibility of helping people in the Miami area and in his home country:

“I’m also looking forward to working with a brand that will help me achieve my goal to help people in need here and in the Dominican.”

Great to see Dominican baseball players giving back to their home country.  Any charitable efforts in the Dominican Republic are surely needed and appreciated, especially among the youth of the country.

And again, the cleats are sick, certainly not you grandfathers baseball spikes:

Father and son donate baseball equipment to Dominican baseball players

The Dominican Baseball Guy has blogged on Dominican Baseball charities a number of times. There are several major leaguers that have charitable organizations that contribute to Dominican baseball and there are some non-profits that contribute to Dominican baseball.

In this case, a father and a son have taken it upon themselves to deliver equipment to Dominican baseball players in need. The Lakeland, Florida father-son duo, Sean and Ryan McEnroe visited the Dominican Republic on Spring Break and saw the need Dominican baseball players have for equipment in the Dominican Republic.

Ryan was exciting and happy to share the equipment:

They knew right away what to do with it. They started throwing the balls around. Up here (in the US) everyone wants a certain kind of bat, but down there, they were just happy to have a bat.

No doubt, kids know what to do with the equipment. One of the reasons Dominican baseball players are so good is that many of them grow up playing with rocks, sticks, and milk cartons for gloves. When they finally get 'real' equipment the game is easy for them.

There is certainly plenty of need for baseball equipment in the Dominican Republic. I throw whatever extra equipment I may have in my bag every time I go down, and just give it to kids I meet in the streets or at games. So, if you visit the Dominican Republic takes a few gloves and give them away. Every bit helps. Or better yet, do what the McEnroes did and take down a bunch of equipment.

Ryan McEnroe delivers equipment to Dominican baseball players, photo by the McEnroes

Dominican Republic tourism: golf is one of the main attractions

When it comes to Dominican Republic tourism, the Dominican beaches and the all inclusive resorts are the main attraction.  There are splendid beaches on both the north and south coasts of the Dominican Republic.  An American import playing in the Dominican Winter Baseball League (LIDOM) once told me that his friends with the La Romana Toros really had it good, as their living arrangements were in one of the city's many resorts.

Many of the resorts have golf on site, or at least access to a nearby Dominican golf course.  The Dominican golf industry has quickly become the second biggest Dominican Republic tourism attraction, just behind the beaches.  There are some amazing courses, most notably Casa de Campo.  David Ortiz has had his charity gold tournament at Casa de Campo for several years.

The Dominican Baseball Guy has never had the chance to play golf in the Dominican Republic, but he hopes to visit Casa de Campo or one of the other fine courses soon.  If he does get the chance to golf in the Dominican Republic, he will bring these great new premium golf balls he got from Srixon.  I love them because they are not as pricey as some other brands.  They also have a great line of yellow golf balls, which are always fun to take out on the course.  Srixon says that the yellow cover is softer than most, and allows for more spin control.  The Dominican Baseball Guy is not good enough to notice a nuance like this, but I have been having good luck with them lately, so perhaps I do have more spin control.

Most of the Dominican golf courses are in the tourist heavy southern coast of the country.  Hopefully the Dominican Baseball Guy gets to experience this aspect of Dominican Republic tourism soon.

The Srixon yellow golf balls that the Dominican Baseball
Guy has been using on the course lately

Dominican baseball player Albert Pujols arrives at Spring Training, Pujols llega para "Spring Training"

The great Dominican baseball player Albert Pujols arrived at Angels camp Monday.  He arrived at spring training on the first day with pitchers and catchers.  ESPN outside the lines ran a feature story on their mid-day broadcast.

Pujols met his new teammates, made some comments to the media, and got a workout in.  It is a big change for Pujols.  He is leaving behind a great network in Saint Louis that included family and friends, his non-profit organization The Pujols Family Foundation, and a legion of the best fans in baseball. 

Albert is excited and hopeful about the move.  "I can't go back and feel sorry. Now, it's time to move on," Pujols said. "That was an old chapter in my life. Now, it's time to open a new one."

The Angels are looking to return to form and challenge the Rangers out west this season.  They spent over $350 million this off-season.  Albert says the whole goal of everyone in the Angels organization is to win the World Series.

Dominican baseball player Albert Pujols is from Santo Dominigo, Republica Dominicana.

Dominican baseball player Albert Pujols, by Leoraul Torres on Flickr

BYU baseball team goes 4-0 against Major League Baseball Dominican academy teams, and make huge charitable donation to Republica Dominicana

As the Dominican Baseball Guy (DBM) recently blogged, the BYU baseball team planned to play a series of games and do some charitable work over Thanksgiving in the Dominican Republic.  Well, they just completed their trip.

The BYU baseball team went 4-0 against the Rangers, Red Sox, Royals, and Yankees Dominican academy teams.  See the official press release here: BYU baseball team returns home from Dominican Republic trip.

The baseball games were surely a great workout, but the entire team agrees that is was there work and donations with local schools and baseball programs that was the most fulfilling part of the trip.  According to BYU head baseball coach Vance Law:

Initially, our players felt they were going to be helping people in need and now in hindsight it was they who benefited the most from these experiences.

The team and coaches coordinated with 5 Star Legacy to make the donations.  They donated 1300 hygiene kits, 11 pallets of baseball equipment, and nutritional supplies to schools, orphanages, and private homes.  Spending as much time as the Dominican Baseball Guy has spent in the country, the DBG can attest that all these things are sorely needed.  Americans take things like toothbrushes and soap for granted, but these things are luxury items in poorer parts of the Dominican Republic.  Many of the DBG contacts did not brush their teeth or bath regularly.  And a great number of children are malnourished, so nutritional items are also needed.  And of course the baseball equipment is needed and appreciated.

Great work by BYU and the 5 Star Legacy Foundation.  Visit the 5 Star Legacy Foundation and make a donation:

BYU college baseball team to play Major League Baseball academy teams in Dominican Republic, equipo de universidad norteamericano va a jugar Dominicanos

Another day and another amateur team is traveling to the Dominican Republic to play a series of games against Dominican competition.  The BYU Cougars will be traveling the Republica Dominicana to play a series of games against MLB academy teams.

The TCU Horned Frogs recently made the trip for a series of exhibition games.  And just after them a youth team traveled to the Dominican Republic to play some games and donate some equipment.

Well, the BYU Cougars have the same idea.  They collected a ton of equipment and will be giving it out in between their games.  They also plan to pass some time at the beach, being that the Dominican Republic beaches are some of the best in the Caribbean.

Good looking out BYU!  Any equipment is sorely needed in the Dominican Republic, as there are youth playing with cardboard gloves and balls made out of socks everywhere.  The team will spread some goodwill, and get a great workout against the academy teams.

Ken Burns latest documentary has scenes of Dominican Baseball, inspires college player to start Go To Bat for Cuba charity, pelicula se llama "Baseball" tiene escenas de pelota dominicana

The Dominican Baseball Guy has talked several times about Dominican Baseball movies and documentaries.  Ken Burns documentary entitled Baseball is a well known documentary on the game and has been featured on the American Public Broadcast Station.  Burns has made a name for himself with super long and detailed documentaries, most notably "Jazz" and "The War."

Burns' latest installment of Baseball is called The Tenth Inning and it features scenes of baseball in the Dominican Republic, as well as other aspects of the international game.  These scenes of baseball in the Dominican Republic recently inspired a former University of Pennsylvania baseball player to create Go To Bat for Cuba.  Former Penn player and founder Adrian Lorenzo, and the organization, collect used baseball equipment and send it to Cuba.

Go to bat for Cuba is the latest of some great charities that donate equipment and other services to the Dominican Republic and other Latin countries.  The Dominican Baseball Guy has blogged on David Ortiz and his charity's celebrity golf tournament, Manny Acta and his ImpACTA Kids Foundation, along with a number of other Dominican charitable organizations.

Good luck Mr. Lorenzo on Go To Bat for Cuba and with your post-college plans.  Please visit Go To Bat for Cuba at their Facebook page and send them some equipment if you can:

Virginia baseball players travel for games in Dominican Republic, peloteros americanos viajan para jugar en la Republica Dominicana

Two Virginia high school standouts were picked to join a team traveling to the Dominican Republic for series of games against Dominican competition.  The team is led by Michigan State head coach Jake Boss Jr.  They will travel to the Dominican Republic for several games as well as a series of workouts led by Coach Boss.

The team is sponsored by a Baseball without Borders program and the two Virginia players will partially fund their trip through a grant from the Dave Matthews Band's Bamaworks Fund.  Baseball without Borders is a global non-profit that works to evangelize the game in countries where the sport is underdeveloped.

Baseball without Borders is one of many baseball focused charities that do work in the Dominican Republic.  See the tag below for more on Dominican baseball charities, and please visit Baseball Without Borders.

Dominican Baseball documentary "El Play" premiers in New York, pelicula de pelota dominicano va a ver en New York

The Dominican Baseball Guy wishes he was in New York to see the premier of "El Play."  The documentary follows the story of Jairo Candelario, a young Dominican baseball player, and his dream to play professional baseball.

El play is a synonym for a baseball or softball game in the Dominican Republic.  If someone asks what you are doing later, an exchange may go like this:

Que te pasa esta noche?
No se, vamos al play. 

And you can be refering to anything from a little league softball game all the way up to a professional Dominican Winter Baseball League (LIDOM) game.

You can see the film on June 21, 2011 at 7 p.m. at the 809 Lounge, 112 Dyckman St., New York, NY.  Here is a preview:

ELPLAY_Trailer by cubanica

The Dominican Sports and Education Academy is presenting the movie.  The academy is an amazing concept of the founder Charles S. Farrell.  The plan is to develop and educate 14-16 year old Dominican baseball players and other athletes, while at the same time giving them a top notch education that would allow them to qualify for college scholarships in the US.  

This is such a great concept because this is the exact age when kids get lost or misled by the dreaded buscones (*disclaimer* all the buscones that the Dominican Baseball Guy has ever met were great guys really looking out for their players).  But, it does happen to varying degrees, even when a players advisers really are looking out for him.  

And a program like this would give kids another option (college), which would allow them to further develop their education, rather than having to put all their eggs in the dream of Major League Baseball and the academies in the Dominican Republic.  If they do not make it to even the minor leagues, and they go the academies route, they more than likely never leave the island, and have no money, and very little education to show for it.  If they make it college in the US, they will at least have continued education, and in some cases a better opportunity at making the big leagues.

So, visit the Dominican Sports and Education Academy website and make a donation.  The Dominican Baseball Guy cannot wait to see the movie.

MLB, players, fans make contribution to Dominican hospital

The United States Agency for International Development (USAID), through the Major League Baseball Dominican Development Alliance (MLB-DDA), has made a $35,000 donation to the development of a hospital in the southwest of the Dominican Republic.  Brad Lidge also contributed $10,000 to the project, Phillies fans raised just under $7,000 for the project, and Project CURE is donating half a million dollars in medical supplies.  See the MLB press release here.

The total cash donation of over $50,000 will be used to the ship medical supplies and set up several new departments in the hospital.  Project CURE, of which Brad Lidge is a member of the board of directors, donated over half a million dollars worth of medical supplies, which will be shipped to the hospital thanks to the cash donations.  The Instituto Dominicano de Desarollo Integral (IDDI), a Dominican non-governmental organization, will manage the grant money and supplies, with the backing of Project CURE.

The Dominican Baseball Guy thinks Brad Lidge says it best in regards to this and other development projects in the Dominican Republic: 

"The Dominican Republic is an important member of the baseball community, and I feel it's not only an honor but my duty to join forces with Project C.U.R.E. to help provide the Dominican people with access to medical supplies we all take for granted."

The MLB-DDA is a joint venture with USAID that funnels development money and sound community development projects to the Dominican Republic.  So, far it has invested $1.8 million into projects in the country.

Please make a donation to MLB-DDA is you care to contribute:

Happy Mother's Day, feliz Dia del Madre, Alfonso Soriano honors mother

The Dominican Baseball Guy wants to wish his mother, Lorry Winters, a happy Mother's Day.  The Dominican Baseball Guy had a great lunch in Austin, Texas with his mother and family.

Alfonso Soriano honored his mother by wearing pink shoes on Mother's Day.  His mother Andrea died last year, but she remains a major influence on his life:

“She’s everything for me,” Soriano said. “I think of my mom every day. What she did for me, I can never forget.”

Soriano created a benefit foundation in honor of his mother after she died.  The Alfonso Soriano Family Foundation provides donations to families of children with disabilities and special health needs in both the Dominican Republic and the United States.

A number of other Cubs honored their mothers on this day as well.

Alfonso is from San Pedro de Macoris.  Please visit the website of his foundation and provide a donation if possible:

Dominican Republic baseball player Alfonso Soriano to honor late mother on Mother's Day, Dominicano Alfonso Soriano va a dar honor a su madre

Alfonso Soriano was very close to his mother who recently passed away, and he plans to honor her on Sunday, Mother's Day. The Alfonso Soriano Family Foundation is teaming with the Cubs to have a day of honor in her memory at the Mirqueya's Day Care in the Dominican Republic.

Soriano and his family have donated presents to the daycare for the past five years, and his mother was very close to the project, so it is a great way to honor her on Mother's Day.  Soriano has been active with his
foundation and in charitable contributions in recent years. According to Alfonso Soriano:

"God blessed me with my talent, so why not give something back to the kids?" Soriano said Tuesday. "They need it. I grew up in that town and it makes me sad to see those kids. They don't have anything to play with, they don't have anything to eat."

The Dominican Baseball Guy can not find an active link to The Alfonso Soriano Family Foundation.  The previous link was here, but it is no longer active.  You can find the company profile and address here if you care to donate there is an address at the profile.

Alfonso Soriano es de San Pedro de Macoris, a famous baseball city of the Dominican Republic.

Cardinals Albert Pujols profiled on 60 Minutes

The incredible Albert Pujols was profiled on 60 Minutes last Sunday.  The piece covers his great success on the field, but also his charitable contributions and other work off the field in the Saint Louis area.  He started the Pujols Family Foundation in 2005.  The foundation works to improve the lives of people living with Down syndrome and to help improve the lives of the impoverished in the Dominican Republic.  Here is the 60 Minutes piece:

Albert is from Santo Domingo, DR.  Please visit the Pujols Family Foundation to make a donation.

Memphis sociology instructor to donate baseball goods in Dominican Republic

University of Memphis sociology instructor Mary Anne Caldwell is collecting baseball equipment for her churches mission trip to Barahona, Dominican Republic.  The church group will distribute the equipment and build a water purification system.

As the church reverend says, and the Dominican Baseball Guy knows, clean water is a major issue in the Dominican Republic.  Most homes, outside of the major metropolitan areas and tourism centers, do not even have running water.

It is good to see a sociology professor taking interest in this project.  She is offering her students extra credit for donating materials.  The Dominican Baseball Guy thinks baseball and sports in general have been greatly neglected in academic studies, and that is why the Dominican Baseball Guy is focusing his thesis on baseball in the Dominican Republic.

In addition to building a water purification system and donating baseball equipment, the church group also plans to build an orphanage and volunteer at a medical clinic, and of course play baseball.  Please follow the link at top if you are in the Memphis area and wish to donate materials.

Otherwise, Roberto's Kids is a great organization that is always taking new or slightly used baseball equipment to distribute in the Dominican Republic.

Potrait of Pedro Martinez to be shown at Smithsonian National Portrait Gallery

A portrait of Pedro Martinez, untitled "El Orgullo y la Determinacion," was unveiled Friday at the Smithsonian National Portrait Gallery in Washington, D.C.  The title is translated as "the pride and the determination" and features Martinez in his Dominican Republic national team uniform.

Peter Gammons was on hand and put out a great article about Pedro as a player, and his work throughout the Dominican Republic and in his hometown of Manoguayabo.  Gammons says:

"He was the most dominating pitcher of all time in a span of seven years and the most exciting player I have ever seen." 

Incredible praise coming from Gammons, who seemingly has more baseball knowledge than anyone the Dominican Baseball Guy has ever seen.  Gammons goes on to talk about all Pedro's work in his hometown.  Martinez has built churches, and donated a lot of money for children and elderly care.  His latest project is the Pedro Youth Academy and Ballpark in his hometown, of which he repeated the following purpose statement several times:

"I want children in the Dominican to have the educational opportunities that people in the United States are afforded, so someday college teams from the Dominican Republic can play against the great colleges and universities in the United States. In the end, education means opportunity."

This is the most poignant statement the Dominican Baseball Guy has ever heard in regards to the problems of Dominican prospects.  Many people say that prospects are exploited by big league teams, and that they miss out on educational opportunities, but the fact is there are few educational opportunities available in the Dominican Republic.  It seems that Pedro Martinez realizes this and is making education the forefront of his academy.

Even the President of the Dominican Republic took notice of this event, as he often does with baseball related matters.  President Leonel Fernandez released the following staement:

“It’s a pride for the Dominican nation and government, and for baseball fans, whose career will be preserved for the posterity of present and future generations for his  masterful performance in the sport, but mostly for the actions he conducts in benefit of the children and youngsters to orient them toward becoming exemplary beings.”

The Dominican Baseball Guy agrees with Peter Gammons and sees Pedro as the greatest and most exciting pitcher ever.  There is no other pitcher of which the Dominican Baseball Guy would want to tune in a game.

Pedro Martinez with the Mets, by Bryce Edwards on Flickr