My son has the option to play in an 18u tournament in the Dominican Republic in August with USA national team put together by BIG LEAGUE EDGE based in Washington State. They would play in the "Latin American Baseball Classic." The cost is reasonable given the endeavor and it seems like a great experience both for baseball and a civics lesson. Is anyone familiar with this program or tournament? Thanks.
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I don't know anything about this program, but just to be clear this has nothing to do with the USA Baseball national team. Here's the statement on their website:
*ALL TEAMS ARE NOT ASSOCIATED, FORMED, ORGANIZED, OR AFFILIATED IN ANY MANNER WITH USA BASEBALL OR TEAM USA. ADDITIONALLY, THE TERM 'TEAM USA' IS OWNED AND COPYRIGHTED BY USA BASEBALL AND CANNOT BE UTILIZED WITHOUT THEIR PRIOR WRITTEN CONSENT.
Thanks Smitty. Yes, I understand clearly that from direct contact with them that this is a completely separate organization from "USA Baseball." I have been intrigued with the concept of taking my son to play a tournament in the Dominican. It seems there are only a few options for this and the LABC with Big League Edge seems to be legit. I am trying to get some confirmation on this.
I don't know anything about Big League Edge so can't weigh in on them.
But I can speak about Dominican Baseball Camp… http://www.dominicanbaseballcamp.com
I've met the owner, Sam LeBeau, a couple of times. I know some of his current and past chaperones pretty well. Trips are usually chaperoned by college assistant coaches. I also know some players that have gone in the past.
I can confidently endorse these trips as being rich cultural experiences with some fantastic baseball opportunities mixed in.
1 of the 3 summer trips seems to be sold out. I think they also offer winter trips. These scheduled trips are for "individuals" to sign up for. But Sam also handles all logistics for teams interested in going to the DR.
No matter who you go down with have a blast!
Rich
Thanks Rich. I looked at that site and it seems like a good experience with reasonable pricing. We have decided to go with Big League Edge to play in the Latin American Baseball Classic. the link is:
http://www.bigleagueedge.com/USA-LABC.php
Both options are 7 days/6 nights and combine a good amount of baseball and some cultural/sightseeing options. Big League Edge has similar or better coaching resumes and is a little cheaper. BLE has one 18U team chosen largely from tryouts around the country to play in one tournament (4 game minimum then possible playoff rounds) only during one week in the late summer. The Dominican camp may play a few more games. I have spoken directly with Jim and Janine Parque. They seem like good and reputable baseball people with the correct motivations. My contacts with the guy (Bert Richardson) who runs the tournament down there have also always been favorable.
Again, both look like tremendous options. We are really looking forward tp what should be a fun Dominican baseball experience.
