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Baseball Via · Barahona, Dominican Republic
Más que un juego.
Es un camino.
The Baseball Via uses baseball as a vehicle to create opportunities for Dominican youth in Barahona, Dominican Republic. Through education, mentorship, athletic development, and leadership opportunities, we help young people build the skills, character, and confidence needed to pursue their own camino forward.
46
Student-Athletes
100%
In School
Free
For Families
The Baseball Via is a program of Vias RD.
The Reality in the Dominican Republic
The dream is real.
So is the cost.
In the Dominican Republic, baseball is often viewed as a way out of poverty. But when boys leave school, leave home, and enter the buscón system to chase a professional contract, too many are left with no diploma, no skills, and no clear future when the dream does not become a career. Baseball Via is a Dominican Republic youth baseball and education program designed to keep opportunity connected to school, mentorship, and long-term development.
0%
never sign a major professional contract.
0%
of youth in the DR never finish high school.
0
backup plans when baseball becomes the only plan.
Every year, thousands of young players enter systems built around the possibility of signing. Families sacrifice because baseball feels like the only door available. But for most players, the contract never comes.
Who takes care of the 98%?
We do.
Learn how Education Via supports Dominican students →
Additional context: UNICEF Dominican Republic
How the Baseball Via Works
Baseball is free.
Responsibility is required.
The Baseball Via gives young people access to coaching, equipment, mentorship, and opportunity at no cost to their families. In return, every player and family signs a commitment letter agreeing that education, accountability, and character come first.
01
Commitment Letter
Players agree to attend school, maintain grades, follow team rules, respect coaches and teammates, and ask for help when they are struggling.
02
No Buscón Promise
Vias RD does not take signing percentages, control player rights, or profit from a child's dream. Our commitment is to the young person.
03
Athletic Development
Players receive coaching, equipment, training, games, and competition opportunities while developing discipline and teamwork.
04
Support When Needed
When players struggle with grades, attendance, or life challenges, the expectation is communication, family involvement, and support.
Most programs ask, “Can this player sign?”
We ask, “Who can this young person become?”
A Baseball Via Story
Meet Julio Zenón
Julio's story shows why the Baseball Via exists: to help young people pursue baseball without sacrificing education, family, or their future.
Julio competing as an All-Star player while staying committed to his education.
Baseball and Education
Not baseball or education.
Like many Dominican players, Julio entered the buscón system at a young age with hopes of pursuing a professional baseball opportunity.
But his mother made a different choice. She removed him from that system and placed him back in school because she believed education needed to remain part of his future.
Today, Julio is graduating from high school while continuing to pursue baseball as an All-Star player with Los Piratas del Sur.
His story proves that young people should not have to choose between their education and their dreams.
Julio In Action
The dream is still alive.
Julio's story is not about giving up baseball. It is about keeping baseball connected to education, accountability, and a future beyond one possible outcome.
Baseball Via helps players pursue the game while understanding the broader baseball world, from local Dominican fields to Major League Baseball.
Julio batting during RBI competition.
Julio showing the talent that made him an All-Star player.
Baseball remains part of Julio's story, but not at the cost of his education.
The Baseball Via exists so more young people can follow a path like Julio's: pursuing the game they love while staying connected to school, family, accountability, and opportunity.
Pursue the dream.
Stay in school.
Build a future.
Los Piratas del Sur
Built For Barahona
Los Piratas del Sur is the flagship Baseball Via team in Barahona. Players train, compete, stay in school, and grow inside a program built for their future — not just their baseball potential.
Attend School
Every player is expected to remain enrolled, attend classes, and stay academically accountable.
Train Daily
Players practice after school nearly every day throughout the year, developing skills, discipline, and confidence.
Compete
Every Saturday morning, Los Piratas del Sur competes against teams from Barahona and surrounding communities.
Grow
Players participate in opportunities such as RBI Dominican Republic and regional All-Star events.
What We've Built
Real program. Real standards. Real kids.
Los Piratas del Sur is not a showcase team built only around the few who might sign. It is a Baseball Via program built around the whole young person.
✓ 46 student-athletes currently served
✓ 100% of players enrolled in school
✓ Free participation for families
✓ Equipment, uniforms, and team support
✓ Commitment letters for players and families
✓ A foundation for the future Vias Learning Center
What Comes Next
Building the
Vias Learning Center
We have proven that baseball can bring young people into a program of accountability and opportunity. Now we need to build the next piece: a dedicated Learning Center where students can receive tutoring, English instruction, homework help, technology access, and academic support.
Academic Support
Tutoring, homework help, grade support, and intervention for students who are struggling in school.
English & Technology
English instruction, computer access, internet access, and digital learning tools.
Life Skills
Leadership, responsibility, communication, goal-setting, and preparation for future opportunities.
Baseball helps them stay in school.
The Learning Center will help them succeed there.
Support the Baseball Via
The 98% are not forgotten.
Your support helps Baseball Via players stay in school, receive coaching and mentorship, access equipment and training, and build a future beyond the field.
Sponsor a Baseball Via Player
Help provide coaching, equipment, uniforms, mentorship, school accountability, and program support so players can participate at no cost to their families.
Help Build the Vias Learning Center
Support tutoring, English instruction, homework help, technology access, and academic support for Baseball Via participants and other youth in the community.
Vias RD is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. Your support helps create ways forward for youth in Barahona, Dominican Republic.