Bigger Than Baseball: Bulldogs Make a Difference in the Dominican Republic

One would think that a chance meeting with the highest-paid player in Major League Baseball, Juan Soto of the New York Mets, would be the highlight of any baseball player’s trip abroad.

That wasn’t the case for the DeSales baseball team when it partook in the Dominican Baseball Camp over winter break.

“The most rewarding experience of the trip was our visit to the orphanage,” said William Shelden ’24, M’26, a sport management graduate pursuing a Master’s in Business Administration. “Bringing smiles to the children’s faces made the trip worthwhile in itself—and they gave us something to smile about, too.”

More than 150 children call the orphanage in San Pedro, Dominican Republic, their home. Their visit with the baseball team was one of laughter and joy, as team members played various sports with them.

“Doing something for others is a big part of our baseball culture so that was paramount in making this trip and our visit to the orphanage,” said Coach Tim Neiman, who will be retiring this year after his 36th season with DeSales.

Another highlight of the trip included witnessing the children’s delight as the players handed out DSU baseball T-shirts and equipment. The team also made a financial donation to the orphanage.

“It was an incredibly humbling and meaningful experience,” said Justin DeStaso ’25, a sport and exercise physiology major. “It truly made me realize how fortunate we are and how important it is to never take anything for granted. Happiness isn’t about having everything—it’s about making the most of what you have.”

Visiting the orphanage wasn’t the only humbling experience. In addition to attending a winter league playoff game, the team played baseball against organizations like the Dominican Republic Navy and Dominican Republic Air Force. During the latter matchup, they had a chance to compete against Juan Soto’s brother, Elian, after snagging photos with the MLB legend himself. Through these experiences and more, the DeSales Bulldogs realized there are significant cultural differences between the DR and the United States—one of them being each country’s approach to baseball.

According to Coach Neiman, baseball games in the DR are much simpler affairs, without frivolities like “machines, buzzers, and bells.” In some cases, there’s also limited access to high-quality uniforms, balls, and other gear.

“Players make do with whatever they have,” noted DeStaso. “Watching them play with such genuine passion and joy, without a care for what they lacked, was truly inspiring.”

Shelden was similarly moved by the differences between playing the sport in the U.S. and abroad. While baseball is highly competitive in both countries, he observed that the joyful spirit of the Dominican players was contagious.

“With all the practices and grueling hours we dedicate to baseball, it was a refreshing reminder of why we play the game in the first place,” Shelden said.

In addition to being an “eye-opener,” Coach Neiman describes the trip as a great bonding experience for his team and a chance to represent DeSales abroad with class. His players leave with a sense of gratitude for all that they have, as well as a grasp on what people are like in other countries.

“I finish all my public speaking appearances with, ‘The world is full of good people, if you can’t find one, be one,’” said Coach Neiman. “There are very good people in this world, including in the Dominican Republic.”