About Empower Baseball
Our Mission
At Empower, we believe that baseball can open doors, but education is what keeps them open.
Our mission is simple but urgent: to break the cycle of poverty—one student-athlete at a time. And we can’t do it without you.
Together, we’re not just building better players. We’re building a better future.
Together, we will change the world.
Brian Straley, founder,
“We started Empower Baseball in 2020, because we saw a variety of ways how US baseball’s allure of millions of dollars was keeping Dominican Republic kids from getting the education they needed to survive, after baseball ends. We decided to locate our program in one of the poorest, most remote areas in the DR. And just after 5 years, we have grown into a highly functioning, structured program that is helping kids build confidence, discipline, and academic strength every day. Education is the key… ! You can help- Come join us at the Empower Baseball!”
Our Board of Directors & Advisors
Brian Straley
Cheryl Pehrson
Brandon Byers
Samantha Pehrson
Melanie Ogletree
Debbie Straley
Tiffany Pintor
Our Coaches & Staff
Bernarda Acosta
Rosa de Oleo
Uly Batista
Mendri Feliz
Charli Medina
Our Accomplisments
- An established baseball team with coaches, equipment, uniforms…access to 2 diamonds … Our team name- Los Piratas del Sur.
- We have a total of 3 teams- one in high school, one in middle school and one in t-ball.
- We play 365 days a year.
- We have a General Manager who ensures each athlete stays focused both on the field and in the classroom
- We have an academic accountability system requiring students to submit report cards and attend school regularly
- We deliver clean drinking water year-round at the baseball field, where hundreds of kids train and compete
- We have developed partnerships with local leagues to create a more organized season structure and improve access to resources
- We are growing a donor network of monthly supporters making our dream sustainable
JOIN US AND GET INVOLVED
It’s the perfect time for you to get involved
Together, we can build a brighter future — one child, one swing, one lesson at a time.