501(c)(3) Nonprofit · Barahona, DR

Baseball is the hook.
Education is the mission.

Empower Baseball keeps Dominican youth in school by making education a non-negotiable requirement to play. We’re a 501(c)(3) nonprofit serving players in Barahona, where 100% are enrolled in school and maintaining grades.

Education-First Baseball

What is Empower Baseball?

Empower Baseball is an education-first baseball nonprofit serving youth in Barahona, Dominican Republic. We provide free baseball training, equipment, coaching, and mentorship — but every player must stay enrolled in school and maintain their grades to play.

In a country where many boys chase a baseball contract before a diploma, we flipped the model. Today, 100% of our players are enrolled and maintaining grades — and every gift helps a child build a future beyond the field.

501(c)(3) Nonprofit Barahona, Dominican Republic Education Required to Play

The Reality in the dr

In the Dominican Republic, baseball can open doors — but for most kids, chasing the dream without an education leaves them with nowhere to go, whe their baseball dream is over.

0%

of Dominican kids who chase a Major League Baseball contract never sign one.

0%

of kids in the DR never finish high school.

0

When the dream dies, they have nothing. There is no Plan B.

Every year, thousands of boys across the Dominican Republic drop out of school and leave their homes to train full-time for a baseball contract. The odds are worse than the lottery. And when it doesn't happen they are left with — no diploma, no skills, no options. The cycle of poverty locks in for another generation.

Who takes care of the 98%?

We do.

Most organizations are building better players.

We're building better futures.

That is why Empower Baseball exists — to make sure the kids who never sign still have school, support, mentorship, and a future beyond the field.

The 98% are not forgotten.

The Model

We flipped the system.

Baseball is usually treated as the dream. We use it as the incentive. Every player earns the right to train, compete, and receive support by staying enrolled in school, maintaining grades, and working toward graduation.

1

Commitment

Sign the commitment

Every player and family signs a written commitment: stay enrolled in school, maintain a 70%+ grade average, and show up consistently. No exceptions.

2

Accountability

Grades earn game time

Our local staff — Ulises, Bernarda, and Rosa — track attendance and grades weekly. School comes first. If grades slip, practice stops until they recover.

3

Future

Graduate. Then dream big.

A high school diploma opens doors baseball alone never could. If baseball creates an opportunity, we support it. If not, players still have education, confidence, and a path forward.

Proof of Impact

The model is working.

Every player in our program is enrolled in school and maintaining grades. That is the standard. Baseball is the reward, but education is the win.

100%

Enrolled in School

Every Empower Baseball player stays connected to education.

100%

Maintaining Grades

The classroom standard is part of earning the right to play.

0

Dropouts

The goal is simple: keep every player moving toward graduation.

3

Teams

High school, middle school, and T-ball players growing in one system.

Our Programs

Three teams. One standard.

From T-ball to high school, every team is built around the same promise: baseball is earned through school, effort, and accountability.

View All Programs

High School Team

Our flagship program for teens 14–18. Players receive year-round competitive baseball, mentorship, academic accountability, and support to stay on track for graduation.

Middle School Team

Building habits before the pressure gets heavier. Players ages 10–13 learn baseball fundamentals while developing discipline, school routines, and confidence.

T-Ball (Ages 5–9)

Where it all begins. Young kids learn the joy of baseball, teamwork, showing up, listening to coaches, and becoming part of something bigger than themselves.

On the Ground

Real kids. Real impact.

These are the players your support helps keep in school, on the field, and surrounded by mentors who show up every week.

Piratas del Sur team photo — Empower Baseball players in Barahona, Dominican Republic
Young Dominican catcher in full gear ready behind home plate
Empower Baseball player at bat during a game day in Barahona
Empower Baseball players sharing a meal together after practice
Dominican youth baseball player pitching on the mound during a game
Empower Baseball team sitting in the dugout with their coach before a game

Watch & Listen

Stories from Barahona

Real voices. Real impact. Hear from the players, families, and community who live this mission every day.

Families in Barahona share what Empower Baseball has meant for their children and their future.

Former NCAA Softball player Meredith Wells shares why she believes in the Empower Baseball mission.

Former NCAA Softball player Alyssa Lavdis on why education-first programs like Empower Baseball matter.

From the Community

Heard on the ground

More videos on YouTube →

“Before Empower Baseball, I was thinking about dropping out. Now I'm on the team and my grades are the best they've ever been. Baseball made me take school seriously.”

Empower Baseball Player

High School Team, Barahona

“As a parent, I was worried my son would chase baseball and forget his studies. This program changed everything. He goes to school every day and comes home talking about both.”

Parent of a Player

Barahona, Dominican Republic

“I've seen a lot of baseball programs in the DR. This one is different. They actually check grades. They actually care if the kids graduate. That's rare.”

Community Member

Barahona, Dominican Republic

Quotes reflect real sentiments shared by players, parents, and community members in Barahona. Names withheld to protect privacy.

20+

Kids waiting

We're at capacity. Kids are on the waitlist.

More than 20 kids in Barahona want in — but we don't have the funding to hire more coaches. Your sponsorship directly determines how many kids we can serve this year.

100% Goes to Barahona

Change a life for less than a coffee a day.

Every dollar you give goes directly to keeping a Dominican kid in school and on the field. Not one cent covers US overhead.

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Get Involved

Ways to give

Whether you give monthly, sponsor a player, volunteer your skills, or donate gear — every action keeps a Dominican kid in school.

🏟️
$15/mo
to start

Monthly Giving

Join The Dugout

Become a monthly supporter and give these kids the stability they need. As little as $15/month keeps a player in school and on the field all year long.

Join Monthly →
🤝
100%
goes to DR

One-Time or Recurring

Sponsor a Player

Make a direct gift to fund a player's season — uniforms, equipment, coaching, and academic support. Every dollar goes straight to Barahona.

Sponsor Now →
🙋
6
open roles

Give Your Time & Skills

Volunteer

Coach, tutor, photograph, fundraise, or coordinate camps. We're a small team doing big things — and there's a real place for you here, remote or in-person.

Volunteer With Us →
⚾
50+
kids need gear

Gear for the Field

Donate Equipment

Bats, gloves, helmets, and training gear go directly to players in Barahona. New or gently used equipment makes a real difference for kids who have very little.

Contact Us →
🚀
Any
amount helps

Peer-to-Peer

Start a Fundraiser

Rally your friends, family, or coworkers around a cause that matters. Create your own fundraising page and help us reach more kids in Barahona.

Start Fundraising →
🎁
50+
kids served

Support a Campaign

Give to a Fundraiser

Someone you know is fundraising for Empower Baseball. Give to their campaign and double the impact — your gift goes directly to programs in the Dominican Republic.

Find a Campaign →
🏢
$250+
to get on the wall

Corporate Sponsorship

Become a Brand Partner

Get your logo on the outfield wall at Empower Baseball Field. Align your brand with education, youth development, and a mission that makes a real difference.

See Sponsorship Tiers →

Monthly Giving

Join The Dugout

Your recurring gift gives us the stability to show up for these kids all year long. 100% goes directly to programs in Barahona.

$15 per month

Keep a Player in Class

Covers school supplies and part of a player's academic support so they stay focused in the classroom.

Sponsor Now
$35 per month

Power a Full Season

Supports uniforms, shared equipment, and field time for one player in our Piratas del Sur program.

Sponsor Now
$75 per month

Back a Whole Team

Funds coaching, mentoring, and academic tracking for multiple players across our three teams.

Sponsor Now
$150 per month

Champion Level

Provides comprehensive support including staff wages, equipment, and expansion to serve kids on the waitlist.

Sponsor Now

All donations are tax-deductible. EIN: 85-0947825

Stay Connected

Get Updates from Barahona

Monthly impact stories, game results, and field reports — straight to your inbox. No spam. Just real stories from real kids.

Get updates from Barahona

Monthly impact stories, program updates, and field reports — straight to your inbox.

No spam, ever. Unsubscribe anytime.

Baseball players training on a Dominican Republic field at sunset
Coming Summer 2026

International
Baseball Camps

Train where the pros come from. Our 2026 camps bring US high school and college players to the Dominican Republic for world-class baseball training, cultural immersion, and community service — all while funding our education-first programs.

Learn About Camps
Girls playing softball on a sunny field in the Dominican Republic, representing the 2026 program expansion
Expanding in 2026

Girls' Softball
is Coming

Education-first isn't just for boys. In 2026, we're launching a girls' softball program with the same non-negotiable academic standards. Every girl will earn her spot on the team by staying in school and keeping her grades up.

Why You Can Trust Us

Your donation, fully accounted for.

100%

of donations go to DR

Zero US overhead taken from donations

Locally Led

Dominican staff run the program

Ulises, Bernarda & Rosa are on the ground daily

Fully tax-deductible

EIN: 85-0947825 · Verified nonprofit

25 Years

of community trust in Barahona

Founded on relationships built since 1998

Latest Posts

Follow Along

Every follow, share, and comment helps more people discover Empower Baseball and keeps more kids connected to school.

Follow the story from Barahona and help us reach the next donor, sponsor, or volunteer.

📸

@empowerbaseball

Instagram

Follow →

Help the Mission Travel

Your share can introduce one more person to the kids in Barahona.

Social media helps us reach new donors, sponsors, camp families, and volunteers. When you follow or share Empower Baseball, you help the story move further than we could take it alone.

Common Questions

Empower Baseball FAQ

Quick answers for donors, sponsors, volunteers, and anyone learning how baseball helps keep kids in school in Barahona.

What is Empower Baseball?

Empower Baseball is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit serving youth in Barahona, Dominican Republic. We use free baseball training, coaching, mentorship, and education-first accountability to help kids stay in school and build a future beyond the field.

Where does Empower Baseball work?

Empower Baseball works in Barahona, Dominican Republic, where local Dominican staff support players through baseball, school accountability, mentorship, equipment, and year-round program structure.

How does baseball help kids stay in school?

Players earn the right to train, compete, and receive support by staying enrolled in school, maintaining grades, and showing up consistently. Baseball is the incentive, but education is the requirement.

Is Empower Baseball a registered nonprofit?

Yes. Empower Baseball is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. Donations are tax-deductible as allowed by law. EIN: 85-0947825.

Where do donations go?

Donations support the program in the Dominican Republic, including equipment, uniforms, coaching, mentorship, school accountability, meals, transportation, and player development.

Can companies sponsor Empower Baseball?

Yes. Businesses can become corporate sponsors and support youth baseball, education, and community development in Barahona. Sponsorship opportunities include brand visibility, program support, and community impact.