Vias Baseball News
The Straley Project Launches Vias Baseball: Experience Baseball Where It Lives
A new kind of Dominican Republic baseball experience for players, teams, coaches, and families.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
The Straley Project Launches Vias Baseball, Bringing Teams Inside the Culture of Dominican Baseball
New baseball and cultural experiences will combine international competition, community relationships and travel beyond the resort.
BRIGHAM CITY, Utah — September 18, 2026 — The Straley Project, a U.S. 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization working with young people in the Dominican Republic, today announced the launch of Vias Baseball, a new series of immersive baseball and cultural experiences for players, teams, coaches and families.
Vias Baseball will give visiting athletes an opportunity to compete against Dominican teams while experiencing the people, communities and culture surrounding the game. Experiences may include competitive games, team practices, professional baseball academy visits, cultural activities, community visits, historic destinations and outdoor excursions.
“Baseball is played around the world, but in the Dominican Republic, it is lived,” said Brian Straley, founder and president of The Straley Project. “We created Vias Baseball for teams and families who want more than a tournament in another country. We want them to compete, explore, build relationships and return home seeing both baseball and the Dominican Republic differently.”
Built on More Than 25 Years of Connection
Straley’s relationship with the Dominican Republic began in 1998, when he moved to the country and spent two years living and working in communities throughout Santo Domingo, San Cristóbal, Las Matas de Farfán and Barahona.
During that time, he learned Spanish, formed lasting friendships and saw how deeply baseball was woven into Dominican life. Children played on neighborhood streets, dusty fields and open lots, while local games brought families and communities together.
More than 25 years later, those relationships continue to shape The Straley Project’s work and the experiences being developed through Vias Baseball.
“This did not begin with a travel brochure,” Straley said. “It grew from relationships formed over many years and a genuine love for the Dominican Republic, its people and its baseball culture.”
Baseball Beyond the Resort
Vias Baseball was created as an alternative to international sports trips built almost entirely around resorts.
Visiting teams will have opportunities to play Dominican opponents, meet local athletes and coaches, explore historic and cultural destinations and experience communities outside traditional tourist areas.
Depending on the itinerary, experiences may include:
Competitive games against Dominican teams
Organized practices and team workouts
Visits to professional baseball academies
Conversations with Dominican coaches and baseball professionals
Historic and cultural experiences
Community visits coordinated with local partners
Beach, nature and adventure excursions
Bilingual support and in-country transportation
Scheduled group meals and a closing dinner
Destinations may include Santo Domingo, Juan Dolio, Boca Chica, San Pedro de Macorís, Barahona, Azua, San Juan de la Maguana and the Samaná Peninsula.
“We want travelers to experience a country—not simply a hotel,” Straley said. “The games are important, but so are the people, places and conversations between them.”
The Straley Project Presents Vias Baseball
Vias Baseball is presented by The Straley Project, which uses baseball and softball as entry points to education, mentorship and opportunity for young people in Barahona.
The Straley Project’s education-first model is based on the belief that young athletes should not have to choose between pursuing baseball and completing their education.
Vias Baseball extends those relationships by creating meaningful experiences for visiting teams and players. The trips are paid baseball and cultural travel experiences, not charitable mission trips. Revenue generated through Vias Baseball helps support The Straley Project’s education-first work in the Dominican Republic.
Community activities will be coordinated with people who live and work in the communities involved. Travelers will not be asked to treat Dominican neighborhoods or families as tourist attractions or backdrops for photographs.
Clearer Planning for Players and Families
Vias Baseball will emphasize advance planning and transparency for participating families.
Transportation, accommodations, games, scheduled activities and included excursions will be identified before departure. Optional activities and anticipated additional expenses will be communicated in advance whenever possible.
“International travel always requires some flexibility,” Straley said. “But families should not arrive and discover that major parts of the experience require a series of unexpected payments.”
Complete teams will be able to select established dates or request a customized experience based on their competitive level, schedule and travel priorities. Individual-player opportunities will allow athletes to participate without requiring their entire team to travel.
Parents and family members will also be welcome on designated experiences, with itineraries that include cultural activities and excursions in addition to baseball.
First Vias Baseball Experiences Announced for 2027
The first announced Vias Baseball experiences include:
Thanksgiving 2027
Custom dates for complete teams
Additional dates and individual-player opportunities will be announced as itineraries are finalized.
Airfare is generally not included, allowing families and teams to select the departure airports and flights that work best for them.
More information is available through the Vias Baseball trip guide and at viasbaseball.com/trips.
About Vias Baseball
Vias Baseball creates immersive baseball and cultural experiences in the Dominican Republic for players, teams, coaches and families. Its itineraries combine international competition with Dominican culture, community relationships, historic destinations and travel beyond traditional resort areas. Vias Baseball is presented by The Straley Project.
About The Straley Project
The Straley Project is a U.S. 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization creating education-first pathways for young people in Barahona, Dominican Republic. The organization uses baseball and softball as entry points to education, mentorship and opportunity, helping young athletes prepare for life on and off the field.
Media Contact
Brian Straley
Founder and President
The Straley Project
Vias Baseball Contact Page
www.viasbaseball.com
See Where Baseball Lives.
Experience the Dominican Republic beyond the resort.
Play competitive baseball, experience Dominican culture,
and discover the people and communities behind the game.
This is more than another baseball trip.