Play Baseball.
Stay in School.
We're building the support young people need to pursue baseball, stay in school and have more than one path to their future.
Support Our ProgramsThey Shouldn't Have to Choose.
We don't have a problem with a kid chasing baseball. We have a problem with baseball being his only plan.
That's why The Straley Project is building the infrastructure around young people in Barahona that allows them to take baseball seriously without walking away from their education.
That means organized teams, Dominican coaches, equipment, competition, education, mentorship and adults who stay involved throughout the year.
If baseball takes them somewhere, we help them chase it. If it doesn't, we want them prepared for what comes next.
WHAT WE PROVIDE
Stay in School
Education is part of being a Straley Project player. Our young athletes are expected to remain in school while participating in the program.
We want them to chase baseball. We just don't want baseball to become the reason they stop preparing for everything else their future may hold.
As funding grows, we're working to expand academic support, technology, English and other educational resources for our players.
Year-Round Organized Baseball
The Straley Project operates three youth baseball teams in Barahona with local Dominican coaches, scheduled practices, games and organized competition.
Players have a place to train and compete throughout the year without having to leave school to pursue baseball full time.
Donations help fund Dominican coaches, uniforms, equipment, league participation and the everyday costs of keeping our teams on the field.
Girls Softball
We're working to create more athletic opportunities for girls in Barahona.
The Straley Project has begun working with a small group of girls interested in softball, with the goal of developing an organized program as participation, coaching and funding grow.
Our goal is to provide girls with coaching, equipment, organized competition, mentorship and the same education-first expectations we're building through baseball.
Donations help us purchase softball equipment and build the coaching and program infrastructure needed to grow girls softball in Barahona.
Coaching & Player Development
We want our players to become better baseball players. Taking education seriously doesn't mean taking baseball less seriously.
Our Dominican coaches work with players through regular practices, games, skill development and competition. Older players have also received strength-training opportunities.
If a player has the talent to advance in baseball, we want him prepared when that opportunity comes.
Donations help fund local Dominican coaches, training resources, equipment and player-development opportunities.
Equipment & Access
A family's ability to buy baseball equipment shouldn't determine whether a young person gets to play.
The Straley Project provides uniforms, gloves, bats, balls, catching equipment and other resources our teams need to practice and compete.
Donations help put baseball equipment and uniforms directly into the hands of players who need them.
Getting Kids Where They Need to Go
Transportation is one of the practical barriers to expanding what The Straley Project can provide in Barahona.
We are raising funds to purchase a 12-passenger vehicle that can help our Dominican staff transport players, coaches, equipment and program resources to practices, games, educational activities and other opportunities.
Reliable transportation will allow us to reach more young people and make more of the opportunities we're building actually accessible to them.
We are currently raising $24,000 to purchase a program vehicle for our work in Barahona.
Help Fund the Bus →
Mentorship & Accountability
Our Dominican coaches and staff work with these young people throughout the year.
They know the players. They know their families. They're there for the practices, the games and the decisions that happen away from the field.
Those relationships give us an opportunity to reinforce education, provide guidance and help young people think about where baseball—and life—can take them.
Youth Programs
Our work in Barahona extends beyond practices and games.
The Straley Project has provided young people with school supplies, technology, clean drinking water, baseball equipment and strength-training opportunities.
As we grow, we want to expand academic support, English, computers and technology, mentorship, career preparation and opportunities for young people beyond baseball.
Baseball is where we started. Our goal is to create more opportunities for young people throughout Barahona.
Their Future Belongs to Them.
We're not trying to stop young players from pursuing professional baseball.
If one of our players earns a legitimate opportunity to advance, we want to help him and his family understand that opportunity and make the best decision they can.
The Straley Project does not take a percentage of a player's professional signing bonus or future baseball earnings.
Our coaches are here to coach and develop young people, not to own a piece of their baseball future.
If baseball takes them somewhere, we'll help them chase it. If it doesn't, we want them prepared for what comes next.
Real Kids. Real Work. Year Round.
What started with one baseball program has grown to three teams serving more than 60 young people in Barahona.
Give Them More Than One Path Forward.
Your donation helps fund the people and resources required to operate The Straley Project throughout the year—including Dominican staff and coaches, equipment, uniforms, league expenses, transportation, youth programs and educational support.
Support The Straley Project