Dominican Republic Sports & Education Academy

La industria pelotera está gastando más dinero en la República Dominicana que yo había creído anteriormente, según el último estudio del impacto económico realizado por las Grandes Ligas del Béisbol.

Llegando a una cifra de $126,326,008, los gastos anuales son $25 millones más de lo que yo había calculado, y son $50 millones más de lo que se presentó en el primer perfil del impacto económico del 2003, señalando que el impacto financiero del béisbol sigue creciendo en la isla.

Según las Grandes Ligas del Béisbol, varios factores han aportado al aumento de inversión en la República Dominicana. Entre ellos, se debe más a la producción de buenos jugadores, entrenadores, cazatalentos y otro personal. No obstante, ha habido fuerzas negativas que han afectado la inversión.  Éstas incluyen el fraude de edad e identidad, la utilización de esteroides, y la competencia creciente procedente de otros países en el desarrollo de los prospectos, llevando a Grandes Ligas que reflexione sobre la sostenibilidad de su inversión considerable.

Academias peloteras operantes en la República Dominicana les costaron a sus equipos $17,961,384 en 2009

A los prospectos se les pagó $37,233,500 por las primas provenientes del firmar contratos durante el año 2009, dijo Grandes Ligas, en realidad una disminución del año previo. La MLB dijo que las fluctuaciones en las primas reflejan la oferta y la demanda en el mercado pelotero, y subrayan el hecho de que los equipos están menos dispuestos a tomar riesgos monetarios como resultado del fraude de edad e identidad, lo cual se ve como detrimento al crecimiento de la industria pelotera en la República Dominicana.

Se gastó un enorme cantidad de $17,961,384 en 2009 en las academias por el desarrollo de jugadores, según el estudio económico, el cual reporta que actualmente hay 30 academias en la República Dominicana dirigidas por equipos de las Ligas Mayores, más seis en Venezuela y una en Brasil, las cuales comprenden 37 campamentos en total en América Latina

Se gastaron $3,213,750 adicionales para dirigir la Liga de Verano Dominicana, la cual se creó en 1985 como una plataforma de desarrollo para los prospectos que no tenían visado para viajar a los Estados Unidos. Se ha hecho uno de los sistemas más productivos de las Ligas Menores, englobando 326 jugadores de nacionalidades varias de las Mayores.

Los equipos gastaron $360,000 para viajar a la República Dominicana para la observación y la evaluación de los cazatalentos y del desarrollo de jugadores.

El estudio del impacto económico también tomó en cuenta los sueldos de los jugadores dominicanos de las Grandes Ligas y el porcentaje que se reinvirtió directamente en la República Dominicana. Al calcular aproximada y conservativamente que un 20 por ciento de esos sueldos entran directamente en la República Dominicana, Grandes Ligas calculó la reinversión a base de la lista de jugadores del Día Inaugural de 2010 (77 dominicanos habían ganado un total de $309,773,477) para llegar a una presumida reinversión de 20 por ciento de $61,954,695. En su informe Grandes Ligas agregó: “Aunque no cuantifiquemos el impacto económico de los jugadores anteriores, cabe mencionar que su inversión en bienes raíces y en negocios tiene un impacto positivo recurrente sobre la economía local.”

Grandes Ligas también calculó los sueldos de los jugadores de las Ligas Menores. El porcentaje reinvertido en el país fue valorado al 50 por ciento, para llegar a $3,508,055.

El béisbol también les aportó $844.624 en donaciones y apoyo a las instituciones gubernamentales en la República Dominicana, incluso el Comisionado Nacional de Béisbol de la República Dominicana, iniciativas comunitarias financiadas por USAID, y los programas de Recuperación del Béisbol Dominicano en los Barrios Céntricos (RBI – por sus siglas en inglés). Grandes Ligas también señaló que su impacto económico ha promovido donaciones y apoyo de otras fuentes que directa o indirectamente proveen beneficios a la República Dominicana, incluso torneos de golf caritativos, actividades festivas, y otros. Se notó en el informe que más de $3,379,500 fueron donados al auxilio para el terremoto en Haití por medio de fuentes relacionadas con el béisbol.

Y por último, se gastaron $1,250,000 para dirigir la sede de las Grandes Ligas en la República Dominicana. El tamaño y el presupuesto de operación han aumentado a medida que la inversión realizada por los equipos ha aumentado a lo largo de la década pasada. La sede se abrió en 2000, unos meses después de que encabecé una delegación a la República Dominicana a instancias de las Grandes Ligas con el fin de mejorar las condiciones en las academias existentes.

Sede de las Grandes Ligas del Béisbol en Santo Domingo

Un impacto económico que no se podía calcular trataba del sector informal de la economía cuyos ingresos y operaciones dependen de las Grandes Ligas y sus equipos. “Aunque cuesta trabajo asignar una cifra a este valor,” dijo el informe, “nosotros vemos cientos de ligas, agentes, y entrenadores independientes desarrollando actividades para que los prospectos firmen contratos. Durante los últimos cinco años, la inversión por el sector pelotero informal ha crecido apreciablemente a través de las operaciones de academias y programas nuevos y más sofisticados.”

Y había otro impacto propio de la industria, según Grandes Ligas, el de “reconocimiento de nombre,” debido a la diseminación del nombre de la República Dominicana por el mundo. “Por los esfuerzos de tantos jugadores y managers estrellas, muchos extranjeros conocen el nombre de la República Dominicana por sus peloteros,” dijo el informe. “A medida que el país busca aumentar sus exportaciones y ampliar su potencial turístico a los mercados estadounidenses, canadienses y japoneses, los nombres de sus peloteros se convertirán en un atractivo valioso.”

Traducción de Arthur Calvano

The Dominican Republic has again led the way in delivering the most foreign-born players to Major League Baseball this season.

According to MLB, there were 846 players on season-opening rosters (749 on 25-man rosters and 97 on disabled or restricted players).  Of that number, there were 234 players who were born outside the United States, meaning that 27.7 percent of players this season are foreign born, representing 14 countries and territories.

The Dominican Republic delivered the most players with 86.  Next is Venezuela with 62, Puerto Rico with 20 and Canada has 16.

The New York Yankees have 16 foreign-born players, the most of any team in the majors. Four teams rank second with 11 foreign-born players (Colorado Rockies, Detroit Tigers, Los Angeles Angels and Los Angeles Dodgers). The Milwaukee Brewers have eight players born in countries other than the United States.

Last season, there were 231 foreign-born players. This season’s percentage of foreign-born players is down slightly from the all-time high of 29.2 per cent in 2005.

Ever been delivered news so shocking and unexpected that it floors you like a punch in the gut? Such was my feeling when I was told that Isvanel Carmona had perished in a horrific car crash that also claimed the life of her six-month-old son.

Isvanel was one of the first people I met when I moved to the Dominican Republic. For a time she lived across the hall from me. She was as charming and sweet a person as you could ever be fortunate enough to know.

I remember asking her after a week or so of moving in where I could get my laundry done when she literally picked up my laundry bag and carted it off. I thought to myself, “Well, nobody steals dirty clothes, do they?” The next day she returned with my clean cloths and explained she had taken them to a laundry service.
We would often sit in the park together, going over the flash cards I developed to learn Spanish, with her keen to learn more English while helping me with Spanish pronunciation. She was a university art student but took the time to volunteer to read to children for a reading program the DRSEA created and she made an instant connection with the children who hung on her every word.

Isvanel eventually moved elsewhere so I didn’t get to see her on a regular basis, but she would often pop up at my door with a friendly greeting and would frequently call just to see how I was doing. It was always a joy to see or hear from her; she literally brightened any room simply by entering.
I met her son, Dewer Ureña Carmona, for the first time at a Christmas party last year, and though she had sworn to me she was not going to have children until she was 30, the 22-year-old was obviously as happy as could be.

I was rushing out the door a few weeks ago when she called from a level up to say hello and I told her then we would have to get together soon, and had mentioned just recently to another friend that I needed to give her a call. And then someone told me about the accident that claimed her life.
Also killed in the crash was Eddy Gleasson, a 64-year-old American who had been Isvanel’s boyfriend when I first met her. Eddy was a professional gambler who continued to live in my building even after the pair broke up; we often discussed sports, particularly pro football. It is not unusual in the Dominican Republic for men and women with vast age differences to have meaningful and sincere relationships, and though he and Isvanel had broken up, I know they remained close, close enough to take trips together.

It was returning from one of these trips, and only about an hour from reaching home safely, a Mack truck plowed into the tiny black Kia Eddy drove. I am told the car literally disintegrated upon impact, so I would like to think nobody suffered.
I did not find out about her death until about three weeks afterwards, so I never got a chance to pay my respects. I, along with some others, am trying now to track down her gravesite to go and lay down some flowers. It is the least I can do for a wonderful friend who will be missed so much.

Sleeping Beauty

Security is a huge issue in the Dominican Republic, with what I see as elaborate precautions to guard property. Virtually all homes have bars on the doorways and windows; even windows on upper floors are covered, creating an ornate bird-cage effect that imprisons the inhabitant as much as it locks out would-be intruders.

Most businesses hire armed watchman to guard their property.  I have not been able to determine why they simply don’t install alarms and have come to assume it is just a time honored tradition.

I had my own security breach recently when I discovered the night watchman who substitutes on Fridays asleep on the job. Not just nodding off, but fully stretched out in a chair, oblivious to the world.  I took a snap shot and e-mailed it to the property manager, who herself had been a victim of an armed robbery in her office.

She promised to bring the matter up with the security company that provided Rip Van Winkle, but a few weeks later I spotted him back on duty and napping away.  I went to take another picture but apparently startled him and when he saw me with the camera, he jumped up, pulled his gun and waved it at me! Yes, waved it at me!

Now furious, I shouted, “You’re going to pull a gun on me?  Shoot me!,” forgetting for the moment he spoke only Spanish.  I later would think to myself that it was probably not the brightest thing in the world to tell a man with a gun to pull the trigger, but logic was not on my mind at that moment.

The police were summoned and calmed everybody down, but I went to the property manager in the morning and told her again that the watchman’s sleeping was a safety issue for everyone.  She agreed, and said she would again try to get a replacement for Sleeping Beauty, but cautioned, “The problem is ALL night watchmen in the Dominican Republic sleep on the job.”

I can’t believe that is true, but I know that every Friday since, the same watchman is back on the job, catching 40 winks.  I just let him sleep.

Major League Baseball and the Dominican Republic, the country where baseball spends $125 million a year to develop future stars, recently worked on forging a stronger relationship with a two-day symposium on the myriad of issues that affect the game.

The symposium, entitled “Goals and Challenges of MLB in the Dominican Republic,” was co- hosted by FUNGLODE (Fundación Global Democracia y Desarrollo), and focused on several problems that have plagued baseball’s operations on the island, including age and identity fraud, use of steroids, the actions of buscones, and the lack of education for players.

Robert Manfred

The forum lineup was impressive, with many of baseball’s top executives attending, including Robert Manfred, MLB’s executive vice president for Labor Relations and Human Resources, who said in a statement, “I am very pleased that representatives from many different facets of baseball in the Dominican Republic took part in this great event and produced a thorough, thoughtful dialogue. Major League Baseball is proud of the many contributions that the Dominican Republic has made to our game, and we are aiming to protect and enhance the vitality of baseball in the Dominican Republic in the years to come.”

All of the topics discussed at the powwow were issues I am very familiar with and have discussed at length in the INFORMER over the past two years and at a public forum the DRSEA held last summer, so, while there were few surprises for me, I do think MLB should be applauded for expanding the debate among those it says are “important stakeholders related to the baseball industry in the DR.”  When the reform movement started more than a year ago, Sandy Alderson, Commissioner Bud Selig’s emissary to oversee the movement, was criticized for limiting initial discussions to only a few insiders.

Sandy Alderson addresses symposium.

Alderson, who is now general manager of the New York Mets, was in attendance at the symposium and made it clear that the Dominican Republic is vital to the interests of MLB, and with that in mind it was important “that we come up with a sustainable model for having baseball in the DR. I am sincerely concerned about professional baseball and respect for baseball in the Dominican Republic and I want to see that continue.” Alderson still serves as a member of MLB’s Latin American Oversight Committee.

The symposium also included Jorge E. Perez-Diaz, the league’s head of Latin American Oversight, and several government officials and club employees.  Former Major League players were also involved in the panel discussions, along with members of the Major League Baseball Players Association, independent trainers and scouts affiliated with MLB teams.

“Major League Baseball is working together with the appropriate parties to find solutions to many long-term issues,” Perez-Diaz said in a statement outlining the symposium’s goals. “The symposium is a strong example of communication and collaboration, which are the keys to maintaining our progress going forward.”

I personally took a keen interest in Major League Baseball’s plans to educate prospects at its academies. No timetable is in place yet for implementing what is a mandatory directive to all 30 MLB teams, but Alderson said each team will be allowed to approach education “30 different ways and see what they come up with.”  He added that the league will then evaluate each team’s program and, “if they are not effective, the commissioner can come in and dictate how they will be operated.”

I was also impressed by John Seibel, a consultant to Major League Baseball in the Dominican Republic and founder and president of Entrena, a company that specializes in education, training and social enterprise.  I have great respect and admiration for Seibel, who has lived in the Dominican Republic since 1971, because of his sincere commitment and dedication to bettering the lives of Dominicans.

John Seibel (right), and Jorge E. Perez-Diaz (second right) join other panelists

Seibel outlined many of the challenges that education programs will need to address, including motivation of prospects who have to this point focused entirely on baseball; cooperation of parents; developing relevant curriculums; and a methodology for addressing special needs.

He added that in order for programs to succeed, prospects must also understand the true value of education.

He summed it up quite succinctly by saying, “Es la industria de MLB en la Republica Dominicana sostenible a largo plazo con jugadores de bajos niveles educativos…..tomando en cuenta el mercado mundial para peloteros y la competencia de otros países?”

Translation:  “Is the industry of Major League Baseball in the Dominican Republic sustainable in the long term with players of low educational levels…..taking into account the global market for players and competition from other countries?”

The answer is no.

La República Dominicana, país en el que las Grandes Ligas de Béisbol gastan 125 millones de dólares por año para desarrollar estrellas futuras, se juntó con la entidad recientemente con el fin de forjar una relación más fuerte a través de un simposio de dos días que trataba el sinnúmero de problemas que afectan el deporte.

FUNGLODE (Fundación Global Democracia y Desarrollo) fue la sede para el simposio titulado “Objetivos y desafíos del béisbol en la República Dominicana,” el cual se centró en los problemas que se han visto plagar las operaciones peloteras en la isla, incluso el fraude de la edad y de la identidad, la utilización de esteroides, las acciones tomadas por buscones, y la falta de educación para los jugadores.

Robert Manfred

La alineación del foro fue impresionante como contaba con una asistencia destacada de ejecutivos principales del béisbol. Entre ellos figuraba Robert Manfred, el Vicepresidente Ejecutivo de MLB para las Relaciones Laborales y Recursos Humanos. Según Manfred, “Me alegra mucho que los representantes de tantos facetas distintos de béisbol en la República Dominicana hayan participado en este gran evento y hayan producido un diálogo serio y riguroso. Las Ligas Mayores se enorgullecen de las muchas contribuciones que la República Dominicana nos haya proporcionado el juego, y tenemos como objetivo proteger y enriquecer la vitalidad del béisbol en la República Dominicana en los próximos años.”

Todos los temas discutidos en la reunión de jefes los conozco muy bien. Son temas que he discutido extensamente en el INFORMER a lo largo de los últimos dos años, incluso en foro público celebrado por la DRSEA el verano pasado. Por tanto, mientras había pocas sorpresas para mí, sí creo que las Ligas Mayores se merecen aplauso por haber ampliado el debate entre aquéllos que según la entidad representan “contrapartes importantes relacionadas con la industria pelotera en la República Dominicana.” Cuando el movimiento de reforma empezó hace más de un año, Sandy Alderson, el emisario nombrado por Bud Selig para supervisarlo, fue criticado por haber limitado las discusiones iniciales a unos cuantos privilegiados.

Sandy Alderson habla en el simposio.

Alderson, ahora el ejecutivo general de los Mets de Nueva York, estuvo presente en el simposio. Aclaró que la República Dominicana es de vital importancia a los intereses de MLB, y teniendo esto en cuenta, era importante “que nos inventáramos un modelo sostenible para tener el béisbol en la República Dominicana. Me preocupan de veras el béisbol profesional y el respeto que hay para él en la República Dominicana y por consiguiente quiero verlo proseguir.” Aún sirve Alderson de miembro del Comité de Supervisión Latinoamericana de MLB.

También presente en el simposio estaba Jorge E. Pérez-Díaz, quien encabeza la Supervisión Latinoamericana para las Ligas Mayores, y unos oficiales gubernamentales y empleados de los clubes. Participaron también jugadores profesionales anteriores en las discusiones de panel junto a los miembros de la Asociación de Jugadores de las Grandes Ligas de Béisbol, entrenadores independientes y cazatalentos afiliados con los equipos de MLB.

“Las Grandes Ligas de Béisbol están trabajando con las partes adecuadas para encontrar soluciones a las varias cuestiones a largo plazo,” dijo Pérez-Díaz en una declaración en la cual trataba las metas del simposio. “El simposio es un ejemplo fuerte de comunicación y colaboración, las cuales son claves para mantener nuestro desarrollo a medida que vamos hacia adelante.”

Yo personalmente me interesé mucho en los planes de MLB para educar a los prospectos en sus academias. No se ha fijado todavía ningún horario para implementar lo que será una directiva obligatoria a todos los 30 equipos, pero Alderson ha dicho que a cada equipo se le permitirá aproximarse a los estudios “en 30 maneras distintas y a ver lo que les sale.” Agregó que las Ligas Mayores luego evaluarán el programa de cada equipo y si “no son efectivos entonces el Comisionado podrá entrar y mandarles sobre cómo operar.”

John Seibel (derecha), y Jorge E. Pérez-Díaz (segunda a la derecha) se unen a otros panelistas

También me impresionó John Seibel, consultor a las Grandes Ligas de Béisbol en la República Dominicana y tanto fundador como presidente de Entrena, una empresa que se especializa en la educación, el entrenamiento y la empresa con fin social. Le tengo mucho respeto y admiración a Seibel, quien ha vivido en la República Dominicana desde 1971, debido a su entrega y dedicación sinceras para mejorar las vidas de los dominicanos.

Seibel explicó a grandes rasgos muchos desafíos que los programas educativos tendrán que tratar, incluso la motivación de los prospectos que hasta ahora se han concentrado por completo en el béisbol, la cooperación familiar por parte de los padres, el desarrollo de planes de estudio pertinentes, y una metodología que trata las necesidades especiales. Añadió que los prospectos deberían comprender el valor verdadero de la educación para asegurar el éxito de los programas.

Resumió todo concisamente de esta manera, “Es la industria de MLB en la República Dominicana sostenible a largo plazo con jugadores de bajos niveles educativos….tomando en cuenta el mercado mundial para peloteros y la competencia de otros países?”

La respuesta es que no.

Traducción de Arthur Calvano

Sometimes lying does pay off, and in the peculiar case of Juan Paniagua, he stands to collect a fortune.

Two years ago Paniagua called himself Juan Collado and the 17-year-old pitcher impressed the Arizona Diamondbacks enough with his fastball, clocked in the upper 80s, that the team signed him for a $17,000 bonus.

Paniagua pitched parts of two seasons for the Diamondbacks’ Dominican Summer League team, but last summer an investigation by Major League Baseball uncovered the identity fraud and Paniagua’s contract was voided,  he was forced to serve a one-year suspension, and the Diamondbacks lost the rights to their prospect.  He then trained at an independent academy in the Dominican Republic where his velocity improved into the 90s. Recently, when his suspension ended, the New York Yankees signed the budding star for $1.1 million.

“It’s like a soap opera,” said Jerry Dipoto, the Diamondbacks senior vice president of scouting and player development. “We lost out on a player we liked because the system allows it.” Many are now questioning how a player can actually benefit from a fib.  The odd thing is that it remains unclear why Paniagua lied about his name, but not his age; his birthday – April 4 – never changed, and hiding age is the main reason Dominican prospects change their identity.

Hopefully, baseball will take steps to close this loophole and prevent a player – and a team – from benefitting from deceit.  With age and identity fraud already a major issue in the Dominican Republic, I can see someone pulling a Paniagua and deliberately lying about their age and/or identity, hoping to be discovered (or revealing the truth) later in order to sign a more lucrative contract.

Think it won’t happen? When I was on a trip to the Dominican Republic in 2000 to inspect several academies, I was approached by a man whose son had been signed by a team and was a rapidly developing prospect.  The man said his son had lied about his age and was only 15 when signed, and now he wanted the deal voided so a better deal could be cut with another team.

Paniagua’s deal still needs to be rubber stamped by the commissioner’s office; under new rules he cannot play in any games until the deal is approved.

I recently got to spend the day here with Laura Acosta, one of the DRSEA advisory board members who has provided support and inspiration from the beginning.  Laura, a Dominican who has lived in New York City for 40 years, is executive director of the Juan Pablo Duarte Foundation, which focuses on the educational needs of the Dominican community in New York City.

Laura also sponsors a community center in Santiago, the main purpose for her visit to the Dominican Republic.  But on the day we got together, she was heading my way to take a look at another project she is involved in.

We drove to Los Alcarrizos, a municipality on the outskirts of Santo Domingo.  Though I have lived in the Dominican Republic for two years, I do not think I will ever get used to the level of poverty that infests this nation, but Los Alcarrizos is even more desolate then I am accustomed.  But there in the midst of so much destitution was a baseball field, the Dominican lifeline to a better future.

That’s me on the left in the back and Laura Acosta dead center

The field is operated by Liga Delfines (Dolphins League), a recreational league that encompasses about 240 young boys from all over the Dominican Republic, I am told by league president Domingo Almanzar. Children practice only after school, Almanzar says, and those who come from afar do so only when school is not in session.  There is a small dormitory to house those who travel.

Laura had collected donations of food and school supplies for the community last December, but had never visited before and wanted to get a first-hand look.   She brought tote bags and T-shirts donated by the New York Knicks, as well as an ample amount of school supplies to distribute.  The children’s faces light up with delight at the small gifts that bring such great joy to those who have so little.

Almanzar says the league gets by on small donations and the occasional food sale, and even manages to send a team every year to play in the United States, as he proudly displays the trophies won and photos of Dominicans boys in Philadelphia, Tampa Bay and other cities across America, a world away from Los Alcarrizos in more than just miles.  The field and dormitory have no bathroom facilities; the children have to relieve themselves in the nearby bushes.

Laura Acosta and Domingo Almanzar distribute gifts to eager kids

On the drive back to the capital, Laura and I discuss many things, including how to get a bathroom installed and getting some baseball equipment donated, but also developing an educational program for Liga Delfines that already does so much with so little.  The DRSEA continues to look for feeder programs and this one seems ideal.  I have been invited back to watch a game and look forward to the experience.

I always try to visit with Laura when I am in New York City, but it was nice to meet with her on my turf.  I am sometimes anxious about the future of the DRSEA, but she always brings such enthusiasm and commitment and understanding to the table that serves to renew my commitment and dedication because I know I am not alone in making the dream come true.

My mother was a great cook and one of her many secrets was tossing a bullion cube into rice, soups, stews and gravy, among other things.  The addition made food snap, crackle and pop with flavor.  I would later learn that the main reason for the added zing was that the cube contained a healthy dose of monosodium glutamate, a flavor enhancer often used in Chinese food.

Packets of sopita

Here in the Dominican Republic, that magic touch to food is achieved with sopita, which is actually the name of the soup base created by this Latin American bullion cube.  The literal translation is “little soup.” It comes in a variety of flavors, but most people stick with chicken.

Sopita is put into just about everything here; it is a basic for just about any recipe.  I have learned to cook a lot of Dominican food and sopita has become a staple in my cupboard.  I have taken to adding it to spaghetti sauce, and make a broth of it to baste roast chicken.  I even stir a crushed cube into mashed potatoes, turning them from bland to a flavorful side that can stand on its own.

My mom would have been proud.

Classrooms will be standard equipment

Major League Baseball has taken important steps towards providing education for prospects in baseball academies in the Dominican Republic.

The initiative was actually formulated and approved last fall and parts of the plan are expected to be put into effect soon, according to Sandy Alderson, the chief architect of the reform movement in the Dominican Republic, initially launched to address problems in Dominican baseball including age and identify fraud, steroids usage and money skimming.  Alderson, now general manager of the New York Mets, said of the program, which will be mandatory for each team, “I think it provides an important starting point for improving educational opportunities for prospects, players and former players in the DR.”

Back in 2000, when I led a delegation to the Dominican Republic at the behest of Major League Baseball to take a look at academy conditions, I concluded in a report to MLB that education needed to be fundamental, so I applaud baseball for taking steps now to introduce mandatory education into its academies.  And, while I am not privy to how the plan will be implemented and in what form, I am hopeful it will be broad in scope and include many of the following aspects:

• Communication Skills: Many of the young players in the academies not only don’t speak English, they also have poor Spanish language skills.  I think a goal needs to be to improve the language competency of those athletes who lack adequate proficiency and to improve interpersonal communications skills.  And while developing English language skills is desirable, I think it needs to be “Baseball English” that goes beyond language of the diamond, but also language they can use in everyday life – like how to order in a restaurant,  purchase clothes or groceries, ask directions, and the like.

• Critical Thinking: These are young teenagers who suddenly are in positions of tremendous responsibility, often with the hopes and dreams of their families resting on their shoulders. They need to develop skills in conceptualizing, analyzing, evaluating and applying information that they are exposed to, to make them better able to handle a multitude of decisions that will be coming their way as they mature.  People who think critically tend to use their intellectual tools to approach life decisions rationally and reasonably. Also, given that baseball is such a cognitive sport, it will improve their chances of success in the game.

• Financial Planning: In a very short period, these young athletes often find themselves with lucrative signing bonuses and professional contracts, totally unprepared to manage their new riches.  Lack of guidance, misuse of funds, and poor investment decisions have led many players literally to the poorhouse.  They need to learn money management, savings and investment options.

• Computer Skills: If you don’t know your way on the information highway you are going to find yourself on an off ramp to nowhere.  Computer skills are essential today.  Computers can also supplement other factors in any education initiative since many language and other helpful programs are available by computer.  Internet familiarity is also important.

• Life Skills: Many young athletes are quickly introduced to the fast-paced lifestyle of professional sports without the proper life skills to deal with the pace and pressures. They may also be unfamiliar with the rules of social comportment.  They need to learn to cope with their new standard of living and how to avoid potential pitfalls.  They need to learn survival skills such as time management, anger management, health and nutrition, the evils of drugs, alcohol and gambling, anti-exploitation, and maybe even things like basic cooking, and how to do laundry.

• Options After Baseball: The vast majority of prospects in Dominican academies will never play in the major leagues.  And even those who do will inevitably be faced with a time when they must hang up their cleats.  Players need to learn about options after baseball, both in the sports industry and outside.  They also need to be taught about understanding the Major League system, about contracts, legal terms and obligations.  They need to learn long-term financial planning, budgeting and personal organization.

The majority of these suggestions were included in the report I made to Major League Baseball more than 10 years ago.  Now, an educational initiative is finally on its way.