I Love Baseball Foundation

The I Love Baseball Foundation (ILB) is soon to be a not-for-profit organization co-founded by past Children of the Nations’ Venture Team members Ben Holman (ILB Director/Co-Founder) and Chris McCoy (ILB Co-Founder/Advisor). The mission of the I Love Baseball Foundation is to connect people and organizations in the Dominican Republic through the game of baseball. Their goal is improve education for young men in the Dominican Republic by encouraging them to pursue an education along with their training in baseball. The foundation evolved out of the experiences of Ben Holman, Chris McCoy, Brandon Bleek, Brian Bauer and Ryan Church during a Children of the Nations’ mission trip in 2006, when each had the chance to see firsthand how baseball could be used as a tool to break down walls with young Dominican men and build relationships.

Through their observation and interviews with Dominican coaches, players, teachers, and community members, the ILB came to understand that education and leadership are among the biggest problems many of these young men face. They learned that a large number of youth forego their education (skip classes and drop out of school) to pursue their dreams of becoming professional baseball players. Since this dream becomes a reality for only a few, many young men are forced to return home—uneducated, unskilled, and in most cases, destined to a life of poverty. The vision of the I Love Baseball Foundation is to give youth a place where they can pursue their dream of playing professional baseball while getting an education, living a balanced life Socially, Mentally Physically and Spiritually.

There are many ways to get involved with the I Love Baseball Foundation, both on a local level and on an international level. Currently the best ways are by sponsoring an athlete, serving as an intern, volunteering, or donating new or used baseball equipment. For more information, visit www.ilovebaseball.org.