Summer 2011Dear Partner, Thank you again for your support of the young Dominican men in the I Love Baseball® (ILB) program. As we enter another summerof major league baseball, we are excited to see more Dominican players live out their dreams in stadiums acros s the country. But we’re even more excited about the changes the ILB program has made in the last few months and the progress we hope to make throughout the rest of the year. News from the rst half of 2011 :Earlier this year, we bid farewell to our former head coach, José Carrion, who left to pursue new opportunities. Filling in for Coach Carrion until we nd a per manent head coach is Máximo Ortiz. Máximo joined ILB in September 2010 as a full -time assistant coach and trainer. As a former baseball player and track athl ete, Máximo is well-equipped to help our players dev elop their skills on the eld. He’s also a great Christian role model who leads our players in Bible studies every morning. Máximo is an inspirational leader, and we’re glad to have him on our team. In March, we hired our rst I Love Baseball® program director, Luciano “Ruddy” Suero. Ruddy (pronounced “Ru dy”) comes to ILB after ten years with Plan International, a like-minded organization. Ruddy is also an accomplished baseball player with several years of experience. He is currently working with lawyers to formulate player contracts, talking with the mayor of Barahona about purchasing land for a eld and classrooms, and working with ILB’s USA coordinator, Ben Holman, to write new standard operating procedures. We are excited to see more advancements with Ruddy on sta. Summer ILB events in the Seattle areaI Love Baseball® is participating in the 2011 Baseball Challenge fundraising game July 24 at Wilburton Fields in Bellev ue, Washington. First pitch is at 10 a.m. If you are interested in playing or helping out at the game, or would like more information, email Ben Holman at [email protected] or call 206 -369-1429. I Love Baseball® has Mariners tickets! The Seattle Mariners have donated tickets to ILB forfour games in August and S eptember. We are selling the tic kets for $15 each—all of which directly supports I LB. Tickets are available for games on Au gust 17 (7 p.m. vs. the Blue Jays), August 31 (7 p.m. vs. the Angels), September 10 (7 p.m. vs. the Royals), and September 11 (1 p.m. vs. the Royals). Contact Ben Holman for more info. Stay up to date with all that is happening with ILB by joining the 4,000 -plus members of the ILB Facebook fan page at www.facebook.com/ilov ebeisbol. Interim head coach Máximo Ortiz (left) with new ILB Director Luciano “Ruddy” Suero. Ruddy hanging out with the players at practice. educate build connect Cooling oin the dugout. educate build connect
Thank you again for your support of the young Dominican men in the I Love Baseball® (ILB) program. As we enter another summer
of major league baseball, we are excited to see more Dominican players live out their dreams in stadiums across the country. But
we’re even more excited about the changes the ILB program has made in the last few months and the progress we hope to make
throughout the rest of the year.
News from the rst half of 2011: Earlier this year, we bid farewell to our former head coach, José Carrion, who left to
pursue new opportunities. Filling in for Coach Carrion until we nd a permanent
head coach is Máximo Ortiz. Máximo joined ILB in September 2010 as a full-time
assistant coach and trainer. As a former baseball player and track athlete, Máximo
is well-equipped to help our players develop their skills on the eld. He’s also a
great Christian role model who leads our players in Bible studies every morning.
Máximo is an inspirational leader, and we’re glad to have him on our team.
In March, we hired our rst I Love Baseball® program director, Luciano “Ruddy”
Suero. Ruddy (pronounced “Rudy”) comes to ILB after ten years with Plan
International, a like-minded organization. Ruddy is also an accomplished baseball
player with several years of experience. He is currently working with lawyers to
formulate player contracts, talking with the mayor of Barahona about purchasing land
for a eld and classrooms, and working with ILB’s USA coordinator, Ben Holman, to
write new standard operating procedures. We are excited to see more advancements
with Ruddy on sta.
Summer ILB events in the Seattle area
I Love Baseball® is participating in the 2011 Baseball Challenge fundraising game July 24 atWilburton Fields in Bellevue, Washington. First pitch is at 10 a.m. If you are interested inplaying or helping out at the game, or would like more information, email Ben Holman [email protected] or call 206-369-1429.
I Love Baseball® has Mariners tickets! The Seattle Mariners have donated tickets to ILB for
four games in August and September. We are selling the tickets for $15 each—all of whichdirectly supports ILB. Tickets are available for games on August 17 (7 p.m.vs. the Blue Jays), August 31 (7 p.m. vs. the Angels), September 10 (7 p.m.vs. the Royals), and September 11 (1 p.m. vs. the Royals). Contact BenHolman for more info.
Stay up to date with all that is happening with ILB by joining the 4,000-plusmembers of the ILB Facebook fan page at www.facebook.com/ilovebeisbol.
Interim head coach Máximo Ortiz (left) with new ILBDirector Luciano “Ruddy” Suero.
Player Profle: Dilson Alcantara SueroDilson Alcantara Suero isn’t the type of kid who gives up on atough math problem. The 15-year -old meets that kind ofchallenge head-on. Dilson’s love for math, coupled with hisfascination for tall buildings, is a good foundation for a futurecareer in architecture—which he hopes to attain if he doesn’tget signed to the big leagues rst. If Major League Baseballdoes come calling, Dilson would like to play second base for the Yankees, just like his favorite player: Dominican-bornRobinson Canó.
Dilson—already a talented second baseman himself—joinedthe I Love Baseball program two years ago. He grew up in the
batey of Villa Central with his mother, step-father, step-brother,and step-sister. His biological father passed away before Dilson’s rst birthday.
Before joining the ILB program, Dilson practiced baseball informally with his friends. Hewasn’t part of a team. Now, as part of the ILB program, he receives baseball trainingfrom experienced coaches who are also strong Christian mentors. He enjoys the mealshe gets each day, and says the food is better than what he was used to eating beforejoining ILB. Dilson is also able to focus on his math classes and other studies that willcome in handy in whichever career eld he chooses. Most importantly, through dailyBible studies, Dilson’s faith is growing. “The word of God is helping me a lot,” he says.
To sponsor a player like Dilson, ll out the form at the bottom of this page and mail it backwith your rst payment. Or visit www.cotni.org/i -love-baseball.
Areas in greatest need of supportSponsorship
There are currently ve players in the ILB program in need of sponsorship. For $32 a month, you can ensure one of theseplayers gets breakfast and lunch each day, a good education, spiritual encouragement, and a chance at a bright future. Ifyou are interested in sponsoring a player, please ll out the form below or visit www.cotni.org/i-love-baseball.
University Program
One of our players has moved on to the university level, and others are on their way! Salomon Trinidad has a partialscholarship to the Autonomous University of Santo Domingo, but still needs $250 per month to pay for books, food,transportation, and the remainder of his tuition. If you would like to support Salomon, visit www.cotni.org/children/2178.
Full-time Coach
We are still seeking a full-time head coach to train our players and be a positive Christian mentor to them. If you are able
to partner with us to help provide a $400/month salary for the new head coach, please visit www.cotni.org/opportunities/256.Resources
Men’s running shoes in good condition (sizes 8–13)
2 digital cameras, new or gently used (preferably over 5 megapixels)
1 laptop computer, new or gently used
1 Radar gun, new or used
To donate resources, contact Ben Holman at [email protected] or 206-369-1429.
Thank you so much for all your prayers and support. As always, if you have any questions or would like to nd out how you canbecome more involved, please contact our ILB–USA Coordinator, Ben Holman, at [email protected] or 206-369-1429.
I want to support I Love Baseball®
PO Box 3970 Silverdale WA 98383 • COTN–USA: 360-698-7227 • Fax: 360-337-2499 • www.cotni.org and www.ilovebaseball.org
Dilson appreciates the support and encouragement his coaches and sponsors provideon and o the baseball diamond.
Dilson takes the eld for practice.
MONTHLY SPONSORSHIP ($32/Month) Specific player’s name ___________________ Select a player who needs my support
