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Liam Bloom
Mrs. DeBock
English 4
25 February 2016
Baseball in the Dominican Republic
Baseball is an extremely important part of the Dominican Republic. Many Major League
Baseball clubs have been making their way and establishing academies in different parts of the
Dominican Republic. These academies are the proving grounds of many young Dominican boys
and men trying to prove they are the next big thing. Baseball has helped the Dominican country
with creating jobs and helping the economy. Baseball has helped further education for the youth.
Baseball also has given young Dominican boys and men opportunities in bettering their lives and
their families lives.
With the continuing growth of Major League Baseball clubs in the Dominican Republic it
has also helped the economy grow creating hundreds of jobs in construction and service to the
academies. According to the article Huge Salaries And A Poverty-Stricken Country: The
Economics Of Baseball In The Dominican Republic, the U.S. Baseball industry as well as a
portion of the Dominican players salaries contributes around $150-$170 million to the islands
economy. On top of that the baseball academies inject roughly another $90 million in to the local
economy (Ghosh). In the article Huge Salaries And A Poverty-Stricken Country: The
Economics Of Baseball In The Dominican Republic, A number of Dominican players such as
Miguel Tejada, George Bell, Salomon Torres, Melido Prez, Moises Alou, and

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perhaps the most celebrated Dominican Pedro Martinez as well as others have spent money in
the construction of homes for themselves, their families, and friends, baseball stadiums,
churches, and paved roads (Ghosh). Many players have invested money into businesses and real
estate which has boosted the economy positively.
Baseball in the Dominican Republic has also boosted education for a large amount of the
young players. With the building of these Major League Baseball club academies, MLB has
implemented educational programs within these academies to help Dominican players in
multiple aspects of education. In the article "Learn More about Education Programs in the DR."
There is now a full-time coordinator that determines educational programs and challenges at
different club academies ( "Learn More about Education Programs in the DR"). These academies
give instruction on general life skills, computer skills, english, reading and writing, and
acclimation to life in the United States. In the article "Learn More about Education Programs in
the DR" the educational programs are geared towards preparing active and released players as
well as amateur prospects ("Learn More about Education Programs in the DR"). These
academies are giving hundreds of young Dominican boys and men a better education than what
some of them would receive if they were not given the opportunity to train and develop in these
academies. Not only are they receiving standard educational programs but also crucial life skills
that can help them in their futures.
The opportunities baseball has given young Dominican boys and men are constantly
growing. According to the article, "Baseball Academies Thrive in the Dominican
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Republic." Around 450-500 Dominican players a year are being signed and given the opportunity
to be further developed (Rojas). The increasing number rises every year of Dominican players

being signed and sent to the Major Leagues. According to the article, Baseball academies thrive
in the Dominican Republic, the increase construction of academies the number of Dominican
players in Major League Baseball skyrocketed. From 110 in 1987, it jumped to 309 in 2000, then
to 503 in 2009, to 640 when Wilmer Difo made his debut in 2015 (Rojas). Baseball is giving
young Dominican boys and men better opportunities in their lives.
Baseball has helped the Dominican Republic with creating jobs & helping the economy,
furthering education for the youth, and giving kids better opportunities in their lives. Baseball
has brought in millions and millions of dollars that has helped the economy boost significantly.
Baseball and the MLB is providing hundreds of kids better education opportunities than what
they might get in a public school at these academies. Baseball is also also giving hundreds of
kids the opportunity to play Major League Baseball and Minor League ball.

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Works Cited
Ghosh, Palash. "Huge Salaries And A Poverty-Stricken Country: The Economics Of Baseball In

The Dominican Republic." Huge Salaries And A Poverty-Stricken Country: The

Economics of Baseball In The Dominican Republic. International Business Times, 24 Jan.
2014. Web. 17 Feb. 2016.
"Learn More about Education Programs in the DR." Major League Baseball. MLB.comDR,
2014. Web. 17 Feb. 2016.
Rojas, Enrique. "Baseball Academies Thrive in the Dominican Republic."ESPN. ESPN Internet
Ventures, 2015. Web. 16 Feb. 2016.