About Empower Baseball
About Empower Baseball
In 1998, during a two-year church mission to the Dominican Republic, Brian Straley developed a deep bond with the people of this baseball-loving nation. He witnessed firsthand the poverty, violence, and lack of educational opportunities that hold many young athletes back. Yet, amidst these challenges, one passion united them all—baseball.
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For many Dominican boys, baseball is more than a sport—it’s a dream, a lifeline, and a way out. Unfortunately, the pursuit of that dream often leads them to drop out of school, sacrificing their education for a slim chance at a professional career. With less than 2% making it to the Big Leagues, the remaining 98% are left without the education or skills to secure a stable future, continuing the cycle of poverty.
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That’s why Empower Baseball was founded—to break this cycle. Based in Brigham City, Utah, our organization is transforming lives in Barahona, Dominican Republic by combining structured baseball training with education, mentorship, and scholarship opportunities.<givebutter-widget id=”LvqYZj”></givebutter-widget>
Our Mission: Baseball as a Pathway to Success
Empower Baseball follows a model inspired by the U.S. high school system, ensuring that players develop both athletically and academically. Participants train with our amateur baseball team, Los Piratas Del Sur, while receiving academic support, tutoring, and mentorship to help them succeed in school and beyond.
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✅ Stay in school: Players must maintain good grades and avoid legal trouble to stay on the team.
✅ Earn scholarships: We help players secure college scholarships in the U.S. and the Dominican Republic—whether for baseball or academics.
✅ Build life skills: Those struggling academically are benched from games until their grades improve, but they continue training and learning.
Empower Baseball Vision
At Empower Baseball, we believe in more than just developing great baseball players—we’re building a sustainable future for Dominican youth by transforming the broken sports and education system from within.
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Our vision extends far beyond individual success stories. We are working to rebuild the infrastructure of youth baseball in Barahona, implementing structured leagues, formal seasons, and academic accountability to provide players with real opportunities. By creating a model that prioritizes both athletic development and education, we’re proving that success is possible—not just in baseball, but in life.
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But we’re not stopping in Barahona. Our goal is to expand city by city, identifying the needs of each community and tailoring our approach to make long-term, systemic change. We aim to create a network of structured baseball programs, each offering academic mentorship, athletic training, and scholarship opportunities. This initiative is about more than baseball—it’s about breaking the cycle of poverty by providing young athletes with the resources, education, and guidance they need to thrive.
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By strengthening the foundation of youth sports and education, we’re paving the way for a generation of Dominican athletes who are prepared for both college and career success—whether they go pro in baseball or in life.
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Join us in changing the future, one community at a time.
Our Board
Brian Straley
President
Brandon Byers
Vice President
Samantha Pehrson
Board Member
Cheryl Pehrson
Board Member
Our Managers
Uly Batista
Head Coach
Bernarda Acosta
Manager/Academic Supervisor
Mendri Feliz
Coach
Charli Medina
Coach
Starting High School Team Members
Julio Zenon
Outfield
Franyel Ferr
Pitcher
Hector Medina
Pitcher/Infield
Kelin Feliz
Outfield
Kevin Feliz
Outfield
Keudy Nolasco
Pitcher/Infield
Jatniel Perez
Outfield
Winel Dominici
Pitcher/Outfield
Angel Mendez
Infield/SS
How You Can Help
Empower Baseball is more than just a program—it’s a movement to change the system from within. We’re setting the bar higher, and with your help, we can make real, lasting change in the lives of Dominican youth. By donating, volunteering, or partnering with us, you’ll be contributing to a cause that’s not only about baseball, but about creating opportunities and building a better future for generations to come.
Join us as we set the standard for a brighter future—both on and off the field.
Our Awesome Sponsors/Grants
