What a way to start the summer! Our 2024 Dominican Republic Baseball Trip saw more than 30 high school & middle school players join us for a week to remember in the DR! We were so excited to be able to field two teams this summer: both an 18U & a 16U team. This was the biggest group we’ve had the pleasure of sharing this transformative experience with and our time on the island led to so many magical moments and a lifetime worth of memories!
DAY 1 in the Dominican Republic!
We hit the ground running in the DR once we landed in Santo Domingo! After a short bus ride along the southern coast, we arrived at the resort where we were welcomed with open arms and an open kitchen! Our boys helped themselves to a hearty meal before unpacking and getting a little R&R.
Once we settled into to our rooms, it was time to lace up the cleats and head out to the sandlot for our first taste of Dominican baseball and our local host team (Reyes Baseball) did not disappoint! A sea of enthusiastic little leaguers greeted us with cheers, high fives and enthusiasm! With wide eyes and even bigger smiles, our boys hopped onto the field for an afternoon workout to remember: playing catch, batting practice, shagging fly balls and more. The energy on the field was electric and set the tone for the week. As our boys said goodbye at the end of the workout, they were quick to remind the little leaguers that they’d be back tomorrow hosting a free youth clinic and handing out equipment donations.
This first day in baseball paradise wrapped up with one of our favorite traditions: Opening Night Hat & Jersey Ceremony! Our boys got to hear from their MLB coaches Yorkis Perez & Pedro Liriano who shared what their journeys were like from humble beginnings in the DR to making it all the way to the Big Leagues. Our 16U & 18U teams looked sharp standing next to their coaches with their Padre connect themed hat/jerseys!
DAY 2 in the Dominican Republic!
Our 18U sandlot field was filled with mud and puddles due to overnight showers but when life throws you a curveball, you make adjustments! Both teams boarded the bus and headed to our alternate field located in the heart of the Juan Dolio neighborhood where we played split squad games with the locals. Foul balls flew onto the roofs of the homes that were inches from the foul lines, local kids came out to cheer and the Dominican players gave us a run for our money! Great pitching and defense from both the American and Dominican players kept things close but the DR bats have just a little bit more pop which led them to victory.
After recharging our batteries with a post game lunch, our boys took the afternoon off to prepare for their night games in Boca Chica! Boca Chica is home to some of the biggest names in baseball!
As night fell, our boys headed to the ball field and were greeted with energizing Spanish music, the smell of food vendors and a crowd that was ready to watch a ball game.
The bright lights brought the power to the bats of both the 18U & 16U teams but the speed of the DR team and a few errors in the field led to our boys still looking for their first win in the DR.
DAY 3 in the Dominican Republic!
Our day was filled with future stars making their way to the MLB! “Baseball City”, as it’s known is a five mile stretch of land in Boca Chica that houses more than 20 MLB facilities where newly signed teen players train and start their ascent to the Big Leagues!
New York Yankees coordinator Melissa Hernandez welcomed us with open arms at the start of our academy tour and the boys immediately felt like they were part of the Yankee family! Melissa informed the boys of the Yankees educational program hosted at the facility, took the boys on a tour of the workout room and even accompanied the group to one of four diamonds at the facility to watch a Dominican Summer League game and introduce the boys to Yankees players & coaches!
If the day couldn’t get any better, the boys got to play their third game of the week, this time at the largest private academy in the DR: Quality Baseball Academy (QBA) in San Antonio De Guerra! QBA is one of the most recognized private academies in the DR where several players are signed to MLB contracts on an annual basis!
DAY 4 in the Dominican Republic!
Saona Island, located off the southern coast of the DR, is internationally renowned for its mangroves, coral reefs and golden beaches that surround the island! Fun facts: Pirates of the Caribbean was filmed here in 2003 & Christopher Columbus landed here in 1494 on his second voyage to the Americas!
The boys arrived to the island in speedy fashion on a boat playing today’s favorite Dominican music while the beautiful Caribbean water splashed onto the boat providing a cool reprieve from the sun rays!
Before getting to the island, our speedboat driver stopped in the middle of the Caribbean where our boys were able to dive into the waist deep crystal clear water for swimming and exploring!
Upon arriving at Saona Island, the boys were treated to a delicious and traditional Dominican lunch right on the water! If that wasn’t enough fun, the boys & coaches spent the afternoon playing on the beach taking in the beauty around them!
DAY 5 in the Dominican Republic!
Our motto of “Play, Live & Give” was in full effect as we road-tripped to the hometown of our MLB Coach: Pedro Liriano! Pedro is the only player from his small town to ever make it to the Major Leagues and so fans of all ages come out to cheer, pose for photos and give high fives to our players!
Before even making it to the ball field, Coach Pedro gave the boys a tour of where he was born and raised. Walking down unpaved roads and visiting homes without running water and electricity was an eye opening experience for all. The “Give” portion of our motto was a big part of the day as our boys delivered food necessity packages in blue bags to members of the community.
When the boys arrived at Coach Pedro’s academy; Dominican music and smiles from spectators in the crowd filled the ball field. Even the local media came out to capture special moments!
After on field introductions, players from the DR & USA participated in pre-game warm ups before both National Anthems played across the Diamond.
It was then time to PLAY BALL! Both teams came out swinging with tons of back & forth action!
The 16U team lost in dramatic fashion with a walk off baseball loaded 2 out hit in the bottom of the 8th!
This special day wrapped up with the boys hosting a free youth clic with equipment donations and providing a post game meal where both teams (USA & DR) gathered together as if they’d known each other for years. The boys from the Bay Area truly got to LIVE an authentic Dominican experience!
DAY 6 in the Dominican Republic!
An UNFORGETTABLE final day in the Dominican Republic!
The last games of the week for both the 18U & 16U team were a BLAST and featured some LONG drives, big smiles and a ton of post game hugs as the boys from California got to play at the iconic Juan Marichal Stadium in Santo Domingo! Dominican legends such as Big Papi and Juan Soto have graced this field and so to say it was an honor to play here is an understatement!
Local fans came out to cheer on the boys, get autographs and pose for photos! An afternoon lunch where our guys served meals to the teams/players that hosted us was the perfect way to end our day at the stadium!
This amazing Dominican adventure ended with our annual end of trip awards ceremony where every player was honored by MLB players and our coaches for the week: Pedro Liriano & Yorkis Perez!
The most touching part of the award ceremony came when every player and staff went around the table sharing their most special moment from the trip and life lessons that they will take with them from this experience.
Coaches and players were on the verge of tears as they shared with the group. Some of the sentiments shared were as follows: “This trip showed me that community and not money brings true happiness”, “Making friends with people from other cultures was amazing” and so much more.
To the parents, players, coaches/chaperones, our Dominican staff members and all of the friends we made across the way; we thank you from the bottom of our heart for sharing in this unforgettable week of cultural exchange, baseball and community building!