Spanish
SANTO DOMINGO, RD. – The Dominican Baseball Federation announced the dedication of the 2026 season of its Double A National Youth League to former Major League slugger Nelson Cruz, in recognition of his outstanding career on and off the field.
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The announcement was made during the official presentation of the tournament at the Ministry of Sports, led by the president of FEDOM, Juan Núñez, along with sports authorities and representatives of the participating franchises. The first edition of the Double-A Youth League will begin on April 29th at the IPL Academy facilities, with the participation of eight teams distributed into two groups. The event arises with the objective of providing opportunities to young players who have not been signed by Major League Baseball organizations, serving as a development platform and showcase to continue their careers. During the event, the Vice Minister of Sports, Kennedy Vargas, valued the initiative as an important step in favor of youth and the growth of national baseball, reiterating the government's support for the project.Regarding the dedication, leader Chiqui Mejía highlighted that the tribute to Nelson Cruz responds to his legacy as an athlete and exemplary citizen. "It is an honor to recognize a figure who has always represented the Dominican Republic with pride," he expressed.
The tournament will feature a schedule of 104 games in the regular season, with games scheduled on Tuesdays and Fridays in double-header days. In addition, it will include an All-Star Game with skills competitions and home run derbies, and will serve as a basis for identifying talent with a view to the U-18 Pre-World Cup in 2026. Error en el proceso de traducción
