Watch this video (30 seconds) to see why this matters

A New Story for Dominican Families

In the Dominican Republic, baseball isn’t just a sport—it’s a dream and, for many, the only imagined way out of poverty. But for thousands of kids, that dream comes at a cost. Most young players drop out of school in their early teens, move away from their families, and enroll in private baseball academies to chase a professional contract.

They train for years—often exploited by the Buscón system—with almost no education or job preparation. When they don’t make it to the Major Leagues, they are sent back into society with no diploma, no life skills, and no options.

The Truth

Without education, the cycle of poverty continues. Who takes care of the 98% of kids whose baseball dreams end, when they’re sent home without a degree, without skills, and without a plan?

We do. This is Empower Baseball.

The Solution: Education‑First Baseball

At Empower Baseball, kids don’t have to choose between baseball and school.

We provide:

Free baseball and softball training
Academic support and school accountability
Mentorship, structure, and daily guidance

With one non‑negotiable rule:

👉 Every player stays in school and graduates.

This isn’t just a program—it’s a different path.

Meet Julio: Escaping the Buscón system

Julio Zenón grew up chasing the same dream as many Dominican kids: make it in baseball and lift his family out of poverty. As a teenager, he was put into the traditional Buscón system—he dropped out of school and played baseball full‑time in a private academy, with almost no education and a lot of pressure on his shoulders.

When his parents separated, his mom was desperate for a safer path. She brought Julio to Empower Baseball because we offered something the Buscón system never would: a scholarship to return to school, free competitive baseball, and a program built around education first.

Julio has been with us ever since. He’s now on track to graduate high school this year—a milestone that once felt out of reach. He dreams of continuing his baseball career, either in the United States or at a reputable academy in Santo Domingo. If that doesn’t happen, we want to be ready with another door: a university scholarship at a Dominican university, where a four‑year degree is about US$4,000 (around US$1,100 per year with fees).

Your support helps players like Julio escape exploitation, finish school, and step into a future with real options—on and off the field.

Our Impact So Far

✅ 46 kids currently enrolled
✅ 100% graduation requirement for every player
✅ 365 days of coaching & support each year
✅ 3 teams competing year‑round
✅ 501(c)(3) nonprofit – your donation is tax‑deductible

What Your Donation Does

When you give, you’re not just supporting baseball and softball—you’re helping a child stay in school, build confidence, and step into a future with real options.

Your support:

Strengthens our daily program and life‑skills mentoring
Provides new equipment and uniforms
Creates opportunities for our student‑athletes and their families
Builds a scholarship pathway for graduates like Julio to attend university

It truly does take a village.

👉 Help sponsor a player — give what you can toward US$250.

Every amount moves a player closer:

US$10 → One training day
US$25 → Essential equipment
US$50 → Coaching and mentorship
US$100 → Game uniforms
US$250 → Fully equips and supports one player for the season

Larger gifts can help fund university scholarships for graduates like Julio, opening the door to a four‑year degree.

Girls Softball: Bringing Girls Into the Game

In the Dominican Republic, baseball is everywhere. But for girls, opportunities are rare. Too often, they are left on the sidelines without access to equipment, coaching, or a safe place to grow in the game.

At Empower Baseball, we believe that has to change.

We’ve built our program around one simple idea: education comes first. Now we’re creating that same opportunity for girls. This softball program is about more than playing—it’s about confidence, belonging, and a future beyond the game.

Your support helps provide:

Uniforms, bats, helmets, face guards, softballs, gloves, cleats
Training accessories and safe facilities
Salaries for two Dominican coaches for a full year
Other essential program needs that keep girls in school and in the game

This is not just about starting a team. It’s about creating a safe, structured, education‑first program where girls can grow on and off the field.

🙌 Want to Do More Than Donate?

This program is growing because people choose to share it.

Some give.
Some invite others to give.
Both matter.

If you’ve ever wanted to do something meaningful but didn’t know how—this is a simple way to help.

Create your own fundraiser page
Share it with a few people you know
Be part of helping kids stay in school

It takes about 2 minutes.
No pressure. No quotas.
Just people helping people.

Click Start a Fundraiser to begin. Set your goal, share why Empower Baseball and stories like Julio’s matter to you, and post it on social media.

EIN: 85-0947825 | Contact: info@empowerbaseball.org

Help Keep Kids in School Through Baseball & Softball

An education‑first baseball and softball program where every player must stay in school and graduate

Team Members