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The Empower Program

Breaking the Cycle of Poverty, One Play at a Time

The Reality of Baseball in the Dominican Republic
In the Dominican Republic, baseball is not just a sport; it’s a dream. For many young boys, it’s the only way they see out of poverty. Yet, the odds are stacked against them.

  • 98% of kids who try to play baseball in the Dominican Republic won’t sign contracts with MLB academies.
  • Only 0.03% will play a single game in Major League Baseball.
  • 70% of players who do sign contracts never make it past their MLB academy and are released by the time they turn 19 or 20.

When they are released, most of these young players find themselves without the skills or education to navigate life outside of baseball. The cycle of poverty continues, leaving families trapped in a system that doesn’t provide them with the tools to break free.

This fractured system offers little opportunity for growth, leaving young athletes dreaming of baseball stardom without a path to measurable success or life skills to fall back on when their baseball journey ends.

It doesn’t have to be this way.

Empower Baseball: The Solution

Empower Baseball was founded to address this broken system and help young athletes break free from the cycle of poverty. We aim to do this by combining the love of baseball with a commitment to education, providing a holistic approach that empowers young players to not only pursue their athletic dreams but also gain the skills and knowledge they need for a brighter future.

Our Vision

Empower Baseball is setting the example by demanding higher standards from everyone involved, from players to coaches and leagues. We are building a future where baseball and education are intertwined, starting in Barahona and moving east toward Santo Domingo. We are building the infrastructure from within necessary for kids to thrive in the Dominican System.  Focusing first on education and our compromiso, the boys put school first and foremost and we will provide a system where they can succeed in life and break the cycle of poverty.  Through structured games, official statistics tracking, and a focus on academics, we are creating a model that others will follow, reshaping the broken system from within. Our goal is to give players not just a love for the game, but the tools to succeed in life.

What We’ve Accomplished So Far

  • Los Piratas del Sur: We’ve established a competitive baseball team in Barahona, providing players with the tools they need to excel in the sport.
  • A General Manager: Our GM ensures that both education and baseball are prioritized, keeping players on track academically and athletically.
  • Coaches: We have one coach and are working to add more to ensure personalized attention and specialized training.
  • Donors: We’ve gained a small group of dedicated donors who believe in our mission and have provided the financial support to keep us running.
  • Equipment: We’ve secured the necessary baseball equipment to get started, ensuring that players have what they need to train safely and effectively.
  • Filming and Stats: We now film games, track player stats, and create highlight reels to send to scouts and university coaches. This gives our players exposure that they would never have had otherwise.
  • Field Time and Umpires: We’ve gained access to the necessary fields and umpires to organize formal games, adding structure to the leagues.

What We Need to Take It to the Next Level

While we’ve made great strides, we are only just beginning. To truly change the game for these kids and create lasting impact, we need more support. Here’s what’s needed:

Why Your Contribution Matters

By contributing to Empower Baseball, you are not just helping to provide baseball equipment or pay for a league. You are helping to break the cycle of poverty for these kids.

Your donation will directly impact their lives, opening doors to opportunities that will give them the chance to build a brighter future, whether through baseball scholarships or academic success.

These young athletes may never have had the opportunity to leave their communities, but through your support, they can have a chance at a better life—one where education and baseball work hand in hand to create a path to success.

Join us as we set the standard for a brighter future—both on and off the field.