ACU Baseball Serves and Shares Christ in the Dominican Republic
11/9/2024 9:00:00 AM | Baseball, General
DOMINICAN REPUBLIC - Marking three weeks since their return, the ACU Baseball team embarked on a transformative mission trip to various areas around the Dominican Republic, dedicated to sharing their faith and serving the local communities. This impactful five-day period in October allowed the players and coaches to connect deeply with the people they met, offering both practical assistance and spiritual encouragement. Through activities ranging from sports clinics to community service projects, the team sought to help others grow in faith and experience the love of Christ. This trip was not only an opportunity to give back but also a chance for Wildcats to walk alongside others in faith, creating meaningful connections and fulfilling our mission of spreading His word.
ACU Alumni, now turned pro signing to the Los Angeles Angels, Rolando De La Cruz was able to join the team on this trip to his home country. De La Cruz was able to show his teammates his home and where he grew up, as well as being the extended hand as a translator to help with communications for the entirety of the trip.
Head Coach Rick McCarty, thanks to SCORE International, had many plans for his team and staff regarding the purpose of the trip.
On the first day, the ACU Baseball team traveled to the vibrant community of San Pedro, where they partnered with a local church to provide essential support to families in need. With open hearts and a commitment to service, the team helped distribute food to more than 40 families, ensuring that each one received meals and supplies to carry them in the coming days. The players and coaches spent time talking with the local residents, listening to their stories, and sharing words of encouragement and prayer.
After their time in San Pedro, the team made their way towards Boca Chica, where the New York Yankees facility was located. ACU had the opportunity to have a full team practice and tour the Yankees first-class facilities, gaining an inside look on their minor league development in the Dominican Republic.
Continuing their mission trip, the ACU Baseball team headed to Boca Chica to face the Minnesota Twins' Dominican Summer League (DSL) team at the Twins' training complex. This historic matchup marked the Wildcat's first international baseball game, and they made it memorable, defeating the DSL Twins with a 5-1 victory.
The Wildcats showed their strength on the mound, racking up 14 strikeouts. Following the game, the team gathered with the twin players to share personal testimonies and strengthen bonds through faith and fellowships. As a gesture of encouragement, Wildcats gifted the DSL team with Jesús Ganó ("Jesus Won") T- shirts, symbolizing the shared hope they carry in Christ.
The ACU Baseball team then visited the Dominican Republic Air Force Academy for their second game of the trip, achieving an impressive 18-5 victory. Jack Nielsen made history by hitting ACU Baseball's first international home run. After the game, Wildcats shifted their focus to service and participated in a baseball outreach for over 115 young Little League players. Later in the day, the team visited Pasitos de Jesús, an all-girls orphanage, where they had the opportunity to connect with the residents and share the gospel. The Wildcats spent meaningful time discussing faith, offering words of hope, and spreading the message of Christ's love. This day embodied the spirit of the trip, as the team used baseball to connect with the community and share their faith with young hearts.
"It was great to see our guys get to compete versus a couple of teams on the island," said head coach Rick McCarty." To share a field with another team and umpires, the vast majority of whom didn't speak our language, was a very neat experience. Our guys competed very well against the Minnesota Twins DSL team as well as the Dominican Republic Air Force Academy. We were able to share our story, mission, and some ACU T Shirts with the group-- which was great on all accounts."
By the end of the mission trip, there was a lot of reflection and spiritual growth in and around both the communities that the Wildcats.
This mission trip was very important, being the first in program history. It was a transformative experience combining faith, services and sports. Over five days, the Wildcats connected with communities across San Pedro, Boca Chica, and Santo Domingo, serving families, playing impactful games, and sharing faith. Through each activity, the team demonstrated the love of Christ, building connections that transcended language and culture, and left a lasting impact on both the communities they served and their own hearts.
"Regardless of what happens this year, I am sure that the mission trip to the Dominican Republic will be front of mind for our guys when the year is complete and everyone is reflecting on their time on campus," said McCarty. "The intent of the trip was to help our guys develop a better understanding of perspective and our purpose, along with creating life long memories with teammates. I have no doubt that each of those boxes were checked throughout the trip and our time together.
"It was great to see our guys fully engage the mission of the trip and serve other people without expecting anything in return. There are so many takeaways that we will be able to pull from now, during the season, and in the years to come. I am very grateful for the prayer and financial support provided to us in creating this opportunity for a lifetime. The return on investment was life changing and the impact will be reflected in eternity with 19 young men committing or re-committing their life to Christ."
The ACU Baseball team extended their heartfelt gratitude to the generous donors who made this mission trip possible. Your support allowed the ACU Baseball team not only to compete internationally but also to live out our commitment to building a Christ-centered community both on and off the field.
What ever you do, do it all for the glory of God. - 1 Corinthians 10:31
Each of you should use whatever gift you have to received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God's grace in its various forms. - 1 Peter 4:10
We know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. - Romans 8:28
