Game Plan for Life
Building a passion for reading in the Dominican Republic
Narrative by Angela Rucker, USAID | Photos and video by Thomas Cristofoletti
March 2019
Erison Frías has a hard time picking a favorite subject in school. English, math, philosophy, history, geography.
“I like all subjects because they are all important and they all teach you things you must learn in life,” explains the 15-year-old.
In addition to being a superstar in the classroom, he is a baseball super fan.
It’s hard not to cheer on the game in the Dominican Republic, a country renowned for being home to some of the world’s greatest players.
It’s a grown-up story. But Erison tells it from his own perspective – one that can reach kids of any age.
His book about a young Dominican named Daniel weighing the pros and cons between staying in school and pursuing a baseball career took top honors in a writing contest.
The contest was sponsored by Baseball Cares, a partnership between USAID, Major League Baseball and Major League Baseball Players Association.
The partnership uses the values of baseball to promote literacy in schools in the Dominican Republic. The writing competition is just one part of the program. Students attend classes where respect, honesty and teamwork are interwoven with literacy skills to help them succeed in and outside the classroom.
Reaching Goals
Erison’s father, Nelson, had dreams of playing baseball when he was young and shared that desire with his son, whom he has raised on his own since Erison was just a baby.
“I am very happy for this,” he said. “We are a poor family, and this is something that makes us proud.”
In Erison’s rural community, baseball equipment includes sticks from the yard and balls made of rolled-up socks.
Giving Back
Dominican Hall of Famer Vladimir Guerrero knows he is one of the lucky few to drop out of school yet still become baseball royalty.
It’s a path he doesn’t want others to follow.
“I always tell parents to help, if they can, to help them stay in school,” says Guerrero. “We’re not all going to be baseball players.”
For Erison, staying in school is a no-brainer.
About This Story
Baseball Cares is a partnership between USAID, Major League Baseball (MLB) and the Major League Baseball Players Association that aims to improve basic education for children in the Dominican Republic by tackling reading skills, improving opportunities for children with disabilities, reducing bullying, and combating domestic violence and child abuse.
The project takes advantage of the country’s passion for baseball – and its history of producing stand-out players in the MLB – to get kids enthusiastic about learning. In addition to San Cristobal, the program works through schools in Santo Domingo, San Cristobal and San Pedro de Macoris.
In addition to activities for children ages 10-18, Baseball Cares also provides training for teachers and principals to expand the positive impact on the school community.
Norma Paredes, Information Specialist for USAID's Mission in the Dominican Republic, contributed to this story.