Dominican Baseball Federation announces new Youth League

The IPL Academy Baseball Complex in El Mamón, El Toro, near Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, will host the Opening Day of the first-ever Dominican Double-A Youth Baseball League (LIBEJU, Liga de Béisbol Juvenil Nacional Doble A) on April 22. Players in the 16-21 age bracket will be eligible to compete.

"We have hundreds of players in the Dominican Republic who don't have the opportunity to sign a professional contract and still wish to continue with baseball," commented the Dominican Baseball Federation (FEDOM) President, Juan Núñez. "We realise that players do not necessarily develop at the same time. We want to give these players another chance to try a career in baseball.

The Youth National Teams coaching staffs will also monitor the players involved in the league.

The inaugural season will feature eight franchises: Dream Big, Go Chiqui de Monseñor Nouel, Guardianes del Este, Guerreros de Guerra, Baní Halcones del Sur, San Cristóbal Patriotas del Sur, Titanes del Este and Santiago Huracanes.

The eight participants will split into two groups of four and compete in double-headers on Wednesday and Fridays.