Dominican Republic launches Youth Baseball League
The Dominican Baseball Federation (FEDOM) inaugurated the first edition of the Youth Double-A League (LIBEJU) on Wednesday, April 29.
FEDOM dedicated the first edition of the eight-team league to former Major League Baseball (MLB) star Nelson Cruz.
The eight participating teams are split into two groups.
Group A includes San Cristóbal Patriotas (Temistocle Metz Stadium), Santiago Warriors (Cibao Stadium), Southern Halcones (Luis Gregorio Matos Gollitos Stadium in Salinas), and Boano Bani Y Go Chiqui (Chiqui Mejia Field).
The Group B teams are Dream Big (UNPHU Stadium in Santo Domingo), Eastern Guardians (Ozuna Baseball Factory Academy Field), Guerra Guerreros (IPL Academy Field), and Eastern Titans (Pimentel Baseball Academy Field).
After the regular season, which will include 44 seven-inning games in the two groups and 16 interleague nine-inning games, the second and third-place finishers of each group will play a best-of-three series, with the winner advancing to a best-of-three series against the first-place finisher.
The winners of the two groups will play for the title in a best-of-five series.
FEDOM President Juan Núñez commented that the league will help the talented players who haven't had the opportunity to sign a professional contract. "Every year in January, we see 400-500 players sign professional contracts. Many others couldn't fulfil their dream, but still have talent. We don't want to lose these players. This league is for them."
LIBEJU will be a key part of the selection process for the team competing in the WBSC Americas U-18 Baseball World Cup Qualifier.
Categories: Americas , Baseball , Development , Members , Regional baseball and club
