Trip to the Dominican Republic for baseball tournament announced

Post date: Aug 9, 2012 8:05:39 PM

by Dante Sabatucci

I have worked out the details for a potential trip to the Dominican Republic to play in a tournament there as a mission opportunity as follows.  After reading this, the key to this whole thing will be getting firm commitments by August 21st.  Please consider and pray about this to see if it is the right thing for you right now.  I believe that this will be a life changing experience for those who participate.  Listed below are the details of things to consider along with the dates etc.  Keep in mind that some of these things are subject to change.  In general, the details are as follows:

• Take a team of 12+ players to the DR to participate in a tournament and mission opportunity.

• Any age between 13 and 16 would be fine I think.

• I have learned that Fri., October 12th is an area wide day off for kids.  Some districts have Mon, Oct 15th off also.

• Schedule would be as follows:

  • Leave on October 11th, hopefully after school ends for the day.  Arrive in the DR late on Oct. 11th

  • Begin Tournament in the afternoon on October 12th and play games on October 13th and 14th

  • Monday, October 15th would be spent on a mission trip (to be planned by MGB) either at a Haitian Village or a baseball clinic.

  • Tuesday, October 16th would be a travel day and they would be back to school on Wednesday, October 17th

• Cost would be $990 which would include plane ticket, room, board, travel insurance, transportation etc. 

• Additional spending money could be kept below $100 easily.

• We would stay at the MGM mission complex which is similar to a dorm building (running water, electricity etc.)

• We would take at least three adult chaperones, plus the staff at MGM would be there

• We would plan a fund-raiser for September for those who would like to raise funds for the trip.

• The boys would need a passport which takes up to 4-6 weeks to receive.

• It is recommended to get certain shots before the trip also.  Click here for more info.

• Non-Buzzsaws neighbors or friends are welcome.

A few notes about MGM

• This is a respected international mission organization which has been in operation for more than 10 years. 

• Click here to go to their web-site

• CVCA High School has been using MGM for years to take students to the DR

• MGM is set-up to host a trip like this so we will be in good hands.  

Final thoughts - There are at least 5 or 6 players who have said that they will go if we do this and others who have expressed interest so we don't need many more players to make this work.  We could probably go with as few as 10 players (and pick up a few while there, maybe Bernie :) ).  If you feel strongly that this is for you, please pray about it and don't be afraid to go for it.  I took my son when he was a Junior in high school to try and give him some perspective of the world and I wish I would have done it sooner because it changed both of our lives.  This trip is a little different than that was but I think it will have the same effect.  If it is a financial challenge, I believe that God will provide the means if you work at it.  We are a little crunched for time but if we get serious about this right now, it will not be a problem.  I have been figuring out the details of this since last November so I have thought through many of the details.  This is part of the exchange program that I keep talking about with regard to the Buzzsaws and if we pull this off this would be the ultimate travel tournament!!

Please get back to me by August 21st or sooner if you are in.  Once we get 10 people confirmed, I will send another announcement that we are definitely going.  Please call me with any questions.  I can be reached via e-mail at dante@playballohio.com or by phone at (330) 928-1551.