Fedom Inaugurates U8 National Dedicated to Edwin Encarnación: Youth Baseball

Santo Domingo Este – The Dominican Baseball Federation (Fedom) kicked off the seventh edition of the National U8 Championship, an event that promises excitement and young talent in the world of baseball. The inauguration took place at the San Isidro Air Base, with a parade of 48 teams that demonstrated their passion for the sport.

Tribute to Edwin Encarnación

This year, the championship is dedicated to the outstanding former Major League player, Edwin Encarnación, a recognition of his career and legacy in Dominican baseball. The Amable Álvaro Stadium (Sonlley) was the main venue where the first matches were played. The participating teams were divided into 12 groups, and at the end of the first day, the 12 teams that advanced to the next phase had already been defined, which continued on Sunday, September 21.

Tournament Format

The 12 qualified teams were grouped into four groups, formed as follows:

• Group 1: Valverde, Alex Reyes League and Peravia.
• Group 2: El Seybo, Navarrete and Las Terrenas.
• Group 3: La Romana, Los Tigres de Licey and La Bruja League of Puerto Plata.
• Group 4: Abeprosado, San Cristóbal and El Pozo de Cotui.

The matches started at 10:00 a.m. with a league format. The semi-final and the final were decided by draw, and on that day the new champion who will take the “Edwin Encarnación Cup” will be known.

Inauguration Ceremony

The opening ceremony featured the parade of the teams and the performance of the national anthem by the Air Force band of the Dominican Republic.

Edwin Encarnación is a man who represented his country with dignity in the Major Leagues, carrying with his power, accompanying the other players on the team to make us champions of the World Baseball Classic undefeated; he was the fourth batter on that Dominican Republic team of 2013.

Juan Núñez, president of Fedom.I thank the Dominican Baseball Federation, led by Juan Núñez. I am very honored that I have been taken into account and that this tournament is dedicated to me, this means a lot to me and my family, because it shows that the sacrifice and all the work one went through was worth it, thank you for putting my name on the cup that will be disputed every year in this tournament. Encarnación shared an inspiring message for the young players, recalling her own childhood dreams and emphasizing the importance of discipline and education. In the event, the president of Fedom, Juan Núñez, was present, accompanied by his executive committee, including engineer Eriberto Miranda Then, secretary general. Also present was Colonel pilot Juan Diloné Zarzuela, director of sports of the Dominican Republic Air Force, representing the General Commander of the Air Force, Major General Floreal Taricio Suárez Martínez. All matches are broadcast live on the Fedom’s YouTube channel, “FedobeRD” and Megadeortes RD, and are rebroadcast on VTV Channel 32.