ProPublica seeks tips on alleged abuses in Dominican baseball
The reporting organisation is asking players, families, trainers and others connected to the sport to share experiences involving young athletes.
ProPublica has opened a WhatsApp line seeking stories and tips about alleged industry practices affecting young Dominican baseball players and their families.
The organisation said the Dominican Republic is a major source of players signed by Major League Baseball teams. It said its reporting found that adolescents may face unusually high performance expectations and enter agreements with teams at younger ages than players from other countries.
ProPublica has also reported on abusive moneylending practices it says have emerged from the system. It is seeking information about issues connected to finances, health, education and other aspects of baseball.
Players, trainers, parents, medical professionals, MLB staff and others with a connection to Dominican baseball can contact the reporting team by texting “baseball” to WhatsApp number +1 917 207 6447. ProPublica said people may receive links to its latest reporting and, with permission, occasional updates.
The organisation said it takes source privacy seriously and that people can request to speak on background, meaning they would not be named in its stories. Those arrangements, as well as the line’s availability and response times, have not been independently verified.
