A U.S. Public Charity
The Straley Project is a recognized 501(c)(3) public charity. EIN: 85-0947825.
The Straley Project · Barahona, Dominican Republic
Our Impact
Real young people. Local Dominican leadership. Year-round work that keeps baseball and education moving forward together.
Our Mission in Action
Play Baseball. Stay in School.
The Straley Project is a young, growing organization working with young people in Barahona. We use baseball as an entry point for education, mentorship and opportunity. Our players receive organized coaching, equipment and opportunities to compete without being asked to sacrifice their education.
If baseball creates an opportunity, we help them pursue it. If it does not, we want them prepared for what comes next.
Participation is free for families, and every player is expected to remain in school.
60+Young people served
3Teams across three age groups
5High school graduates
4Players selected for RBI Dominicana
Built Since 2020
What We Have Accomplished
These are current activities and documented milestones—not promises about programs that do not yet exist.
Baseball School Acquired
The Straley Project purchased Roger Rocha’s School of Baseball, including its established local program and equipment. The purchase did not include ownership of the baseball fields; practice access is assigned by the City of Barahona.
Local Staff and Coaches
Dominican coaches and staff conduct practices, communicate with families, reinforce school participation and mentor players throughout the year.
Equipment and Uniforms
We have provided uniforms, gloves, bats, baseballs, catching equipment and other resources needed for our teams to practice and compete.
School and Technology Resources
Supporters have helped provide school supplies, school uniforms, laptops, smartphones and other practical resources for participating young people.
Clean Drinking Water
We provide purified drinking water during practices and games and have assisted participating families when resources were available.
Strength Training Access
Older players have received access to local strength-training resources and individual guidance supporting safe physical development.
RBI Dominicana Selections
Four Straley Project players have been selected for RBI Dominicana tournament teams. The Straley Project is not affiliated with MLB or RBI Dominicana.
A Permanent Local Office
Our office at Estadio Nadín J. Hazoury supports administration, equipment storage, meetings and communication with participating families.
The Model
How Our Program Works
Our mission is carried out through a simple, practical connection between sports, school and consistent local relationships.
Baseball Creates the Connection
We engage young people through a sport they already know and love.
School Remains an Expectation
Players are expected to stay enrolled and continue preparing for life beyond baseball.
Local Adults Stay Involved
Dominican coaches and staff know the players, communicate with families and provide year-round guidance.
More Paths Become Possible
Equipment, education, technology and mentorship help young people build options for their futures.
Our Commitment
Our No Buscone Promise
In the Dominican baseball system, a buscón may train or represent a young player in exchange for a share of a future professional signing bonus. The Straley Project follows a different model.
The Straley Project provides player development without claiming a percentage of a player’s signing bonus or future earnings.
Players do not sign representation agreements with our organization. Neither players nor their families owe The Straley Project money if a participant receives an educational, athletic or professional opportunity.
Our role is to coach, mentor and support young people—not to own a financial interest in their futures.
Building in Phases
Teams and an Office Today. A Community Center Tomorrow.
The Straley Project is still a small and young organization. We are building carefully from the programs, people and resources already operating in Barahona rather than pretending the entire vision exists today.
Our long-term goal is to establish a community center where boys and girls can access sports, tutoring, English instruction, computers, mentorship and preparation for life after high school. We have not built that center yet.
Teams and Local Operations
Operate three baseball teams, support Dominican coaches and staff, maintain our office at the stadium, provide equipment and reinforce school participation.
Broader Youth Support
Recruit girls for softball and establish sustainable funding while expanding academic assistance, English, technology, transportation and mentorship as resources allow.
A Barahona Community Center
Create a permanent place where young people can find athletic programs, classrooms, computers, mentors and practical preparation for education and employment.
Girls softball currently has three participants. We are recruiting additional players, identifying coaching support and establishing sustainable funding before launching a complete team. Every later phase depends on responsible fundraising, local partnerships and the ability to sustain what we have already built.
These are growth goals—not claims that every planned program is already operating.
Explore Our ProgramsStewardship
How Donations Support the Work
Contributions fund the people and practical resources required to operate our programs throughout the year.
Dominican coaches and staff
Baseball and softball equipment
Uniforms and league participation
School and technology resources
Transportation and local operations
Growing education programs
This Is The Straley Project
Give Young People More Than One Path Forward.
We believe young people should be able to chase the baseball dream without giving up every other path to their future.
The Straley Project is a U.S. 501(c)(3) public charity serving young people in Barahona, Dominican Republic. EIN: 85-0947825.