NewsWhore
04-21-2006, 05:10 PM
In his inspirational closing words of the presentation on the economic and social impact of Major League Baseball in the Dominican Republic held yesterday at the Global Foundation for Democracy and Development auditorium, Omar Minaya, general manager of the New York Mets, encouraged the Dominican leadership to emulate the example of Major League Baseball in the Dominican Republic in order to contribute to the wellbeing of the people. "We have the power to bring about change, but we need to use it," he told his audience. He highlighted the domino effect of the contributions to the community made by individual teams. He mentioned that the contracts signed with Dominican players joining the Mets include matching funds of US$1-US$1 when the players reinvested in community projects in their countries. He also predicted that as more Dominican general managers are appointed, this practice could expand in MLB.
Spokesmen for MLB in the DR highlighted that contributions to the tune of US$84 million in 2005 have been made in bonuses to new players (US$17 million), operation of 28 academies (US$14 million), Dominican Summer League (US$2.7 million), reinvestment of wages of Major League players (US$42 million), reinvestment of Minor League players (US$2.6 million), visits to the country by executives (US$360,000), donations (US$250,000).
John Seibel, speaking for the MLB teams, highlighted that the impact of the teams is even greater because the baseball academies are located in impoverished areas.
John Seibel said that there are challenges ahead for MLB to continue making a very good relationship even better. These include the end to the practice of forged identity and age papers, eliminating the consumption of prohibited substances, maintaining self-regulation practices, and supporting a bill that would legalize in the DR the same contract they sign with players in other countries.
Lou Melendez, vice president of International Baseball Operations, said that the DR is a prime target to host a round of games during the II World Baseball Classic in 2009, but that improvements would have to be made to the Santo Domingo stadium.
Omar Minaya feels that the DR has much more to gain from baseball. "We need to brand what we have in our land that is positive. And we can do it by doing baseball. We can brand our country through baseball," he said challenging Dominicans to create synergies with Major League Baseball's large presence in the country.
Also attending the meeting were Ronaldo Peralta, senior manager MLB Dominican Republic Office, and Joe Garagiola, senior vice president baseball operations for MLB.
Link To Original Article (http://www.dr1.com/index.html#11)
Spokesmen for MLB in the DR highlighted that contributions to the tune of US$84 million in 2005 have been made in bonuses to new players (US$17 million), operation of 28 academies (US$14 million), Dominican Summer League (US$2.7 million), reinvestment of wages of Major League players (US$42 million), reinvestment of Minor League players (US$2.6 million), visits to the country by executives (US$360,000), donations (US$250,000).
John Seibel, speaking for the MLB teams, highlighted that the impact of the teams is even greater because the baseball academies are located in impoverished areas.
John Seibel said that there are challenges ahead for MLB to continue making a very good relationship even better. These include the end to the practice of forged identity and age papers, eliminating the consumption of prohibited substances, maintaining self-regulation practices, and supporting a bill that would legalize in the DR the same contract they sign with players in other countries.
Lou Melendez, vice president of International Baseball Operations, said that the DR is a prime target to host a round of games during the II World Baseball Classic in 2009, but that improvements would have to be made to the Santo Domingo stadium.
Omar Minaya feels that the DR has much more to gain from baseball. "We need to brand what we have in our land that is positive. And we can do it by doing baseball. We can brand our country through baseball," he said challenging Dominicans to create synergies with Major League Baseball's large presence in the country.
Also attending the meeting were Ronaldo Peralta, senior manager MLB Dominican Republic Office, and Joe Garagiola, senior vice president baseball operations for MLB.
Link To Original Article (http://www.dr1.com/index.html#11)