This is neat. Most teams have “academies” in Latin America. The Diamondbacks have one that not only teaches baseball players the game, but also teaches them academically. And hands out diplomas. From Nick Piecoro at the Arizona Republic:
It’s good to see that the Diamondbacks are treating the young men in their academy as something more than mere baseball playing resources that are either fully-exploited or discarded by the time they turn 17.
Five young men will don caps and gowns atop Diamondbacks uniforms on Friday morning in the Dominican Republic, where club officials will present them with high school diplomas.
They represent the first graduating class in a program that’s believed to be the first of its kind. For years, every major-league club has operated a Dominican academy where players as young as 16 begin their professional careers. The Diamondbacks’ academy in Boca Chica is the first to also offer players a classroom education.
It’s good to see that the Diamondbacks are treating the young men in their academy as something more than mere baseball playing resources that are either fully-exploited or discarded by the time they turn 17.