Nelson Cruz, general manager of the Dominican team for the 2026 World Baseball Classic, announced he has gathered several MLB stars to give clinics across the DR this month, El Nacional reports. Given the timing, the clinics are likely to serve a warm up to inspire all Dominicans to follow the WBC that this coming March.
The clinics are a joint joint effort between the Dominican Baseball Federation (Fedobe), the Dominican World Baseball Classic team leadership, and MLB. Organizers announced that the clinics will target children aged 8 to 10 and aim to cover key regions of the national territory.
The sessions featured active MLB players, coaches, and technical staff from the Dominican national team. The professionals shared personal experiences, career lessons, and technical guidance with young participants.
The program consists of four events scheduled throughout January, expected to reach approximately 990 children nationwide.
• South region: The series began on Friday, 9 January, at the municipal stadium in Baní.
• East region: Scheduled for 16 January in San Pedro de Macorís.
• Cibao region: Set for 24 January in Santiago.
• Greater Santo Domingo: The final clinic will take place on 29 January at the Quisqueya Juan Marichal Stadium, serving children from the National District and Santo Domingo province.
“These clinics are a way to give back to the country everything baseball has given us,” Cruz said. “We want children to dream, to hear directly from our experience, to see themselves reflected in the Dominican uniform, and to understand that with discipline and effort, they can go as far as they set their minds to.”
Juan Núñez, president of the Dominican Baseball Federation, described the initiative as a crucial investment in the future of the sport. “We want children to have the opportunity to share the field with those who represent the country today, learn from them, and feel part of this journey toward the Classic,” Núñez stated.
Miguel Matos, director of the MLB office in the Dominican Republic, emphasized that these programs are vital for instilling both sportsmanship and core values in children at an early age.
Read more in Spanish:
El Nacional
Lidom
12 January 2026