By ,
Published January 02, 2017
If you didn't think that professional baseball wasn't serious enough about finding that Latin-American recruit that could change the game, here's proof that that you're wrong.
Major League Baseball announced on Thursday that it will launch a new league for top unsigned amateur players in the Dominican Republic.
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The league is for players who are either already eligible to sign with MLB teams, or who will become eligible after July 2. Starting Thursday, games will be played weekly at MLB Club academies and are expected to attract a number of MLB scouts.
"Major League Baseball is excited to begin its new prospect league in the Dominican Republic," Kim Ng, MLB Senior Vice President of Baseball Operations, said in a statement.
"We believe that this new league will provide amateur players with an opportunity to showcase their talent, and we hope that by including educational and community-outreach components in their participation, we will also prepare these players for opportunities that go beyond the playing field."
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Major League Baseball says the league will include "an educational component" for the players, and the coaching staff will run clinics for younger players throughout the country.
Last season the MLB had 103 Dominican born players on their rosters. That's second only to those born in the United States. The Dominican republic is one of baseball's most highly scouted countries.
Based on reporting by NewsCore and the Associated Press.
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https://www.foxnews.com/sports/mlb-to-start-dominican-league