Hello Fellow Ballplayers,

We have a great opportunity to make a  goodwill humanitarian baseball tour to Nicaragua in late January and early February, 2019.  Trip will be approximately 10 days (an itinerary is at the bottom of this page). As many of you know, unlike the rest of Central America, baseball is the national pastime in Nicaragua. We are hoping to bring twelve ballplayers. Spouses and significant others are welcome.

Senior baseball players/coaches making a trip are:

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

We will be making stops in:
La Calle Real
Telica
Leon
Granada
Montilimar

Our objectives are to do the following:

–Hold baseball clinics for the youth and coaches 

-Provide used baseball equipment to kids

-Play a few exhibition games

-Create good will between the two countries

-Share our love of the game

-Enjoy some of the beautiful points of interest in Nicaragua

Geraldo Barreto will be assisting the American team on their tour in Nicaragua. Here is a short video clip he made:

Our group will be representing the MSBL and the Worldwide Child Relief Foundation(WCRF). The WCRF was founded in 2005 by Hal and Denise Young. Over the last 12 years, our focus has been on helping the children in impoverished areas of Nicaragua. Our emphasis has been on Health, Educational, Business Development and other humanitarian aid to the children of the Country.

Nicaragua has a six team professional major baseball league.  Some major league baseball players are from Nicaragua. At the lower levels of baseball, many kids play with homemade balls and bats. Nearly every small town has a baseball field. When coming to these towns and sharing your baseball knowledge, and giving out baseball equipment, you become an instant hero in their eyes.

Granada -Granada is a picturesque European colonial-style town that is one of the oldest on the American continent. Founded by Captain Francisco de Cordoba in 1524, the town sits near the edge of Lake Nicaragua.. Granada will include: Monbocho Volcano (Cloud Forest) National Park, a boat tour of the isletas of Lake Nicaragua. For those that are more bold, you can take a zip line canopy tour.

Leon-Located north of Managua. This city boasts many architectural delights. It’s crown jewel is La Cathedral de Leon which is the largest cathedral in Central America. It was constructed in 1747. Leon has won more Nicaraguan major league baseball championships than any other city in Nicaragua. Only a 15 minute drive from rustic Las Penedas Beach.

Selva Negra -Coffee Plantation and Resort (Located in the cloud forest east of Maltigalpa, and founded by a family of Germans in the early 1900’s). High in the cloud forest, this 500 acre coffee plantation with it’s chalet type cottages will make you feel like you are in the mountains of German Bavaria.

San Juan del Sur (San Juan del Sur is a quaint fishing village on the southern coast of Nicaragua known for its beautiful beach, stunning sunsets, and restaurants that enjoy a great view of the shoreline).

Ometepe Islands-These two majestic volcanic islands are found in the middle of  Lake Nicaragua. There are about nine towns located on the outer shores of the islands. They love baseball, and have they have their own Ometepe baseball association. When Mark Twain visited Ometepe over 150 years ago, this is what he had to say: ”They look so isolated from the world………so tranquil , so dreamy, so steeped in slumber and eternal repose”.

Barcelo Resort on the beach at Montelimar. This is a first class all inclusive resort that is situated on a beautiful expanse of beach. Great food, swimming pools, casino, and plenty of sports and recreational activities if desired.

(Pictured on the left is Hal passing out donated baseball equipment to the local youth coach in Telica, Nicaragua!)

The cost for the trip should be around $1600 per person (double occupancy)  based on current airfares.  We will need to collect a $800 deposit by August 1^st of this year. We will travel in 30 passenger air conditioned bus. Our accommodations will include breakfast and dinner daily, and clean lodging that has air conditioning and hot water. The cost of the trip includes all of the above plus airfare, all ground transportation, and excursions. All participants are asked to bring one personal suitcase, and one extra suitcase or duffel bag with baseball equipment. Assignments for what equipment to bring will be given out before the trip. Myself and my native Nicaraguan assistant, Alejandro Rocha will be your guides for the entire trip.

Approximately one half of the cost of your trip should be tax deductible, because part of the trip cost will be considered a donation to the Worldwide Child Relief Foundation.  Some of the funds from the cost of the trip will be used for programs to help the impoverished village of La Calle Real, where WCRF has built a community center. The Worldwide Child Relief Foundation (WCRF) is an IRS qualified 501(c) non-profit organization, so all donations are tax deductible.

If you’re interested in joining us, please contact me at 530.903.5153 or Dennis Smith at 916 712 5155  for more information. We’d love to have you join us on this charitable and fun trip. Your generous help is appreciated by the Worldwide Child Relief Foundation and the youth of Nicaragua.

Sincerely,

Hal Young

P.S. If your time is limited, the total time of the trip can be modified.

530 903 5153

wcrf@ymail.com

WWW.WWCRF.ORG

Itinerary
* Hotel Location
** Optional activity (all other activities are included in tour)
January 2019
24 Thursday -Travel to NIC (Red Eye)
25-Travel to Leon from Managua -Leon City Tour
-Dinner at El Sesteo
26-Clinic & Game> La Calle Real-*Leon
-Lunch at the Reyes house
-Dinner at Carbonera
27-Day of rest
– Afternoon/Dinner Las Penitas Beach-*Leon
28-Clinic & Game>Telica-*Leon
-Lunch at Geraldos House
-Dinner at Mediterraneo or Pani Paz
29-Clinic & Game>Leon -*Leon
-Shopping in Leon
-Dinner at Antoninos or Greek Bistro
30-Travel AM to Granada -*Granada
-Mount Mombacho NP and Zip Lining**
-Boat Tour of Islands of Lake Nicaraagua
-Dinner in Granada Restaurant District
31-Clinic & Game >Granada-*Granada
-Lunch and shop in Granada
-Dinner in Granada Restaurant District
1-Travel to Barceló Resort -*Montilimar
-Stop at Katarina and Laguna de Apoyo
-Stop at Masaya Volcano NP
-Barcelo all-inclusive resort
2- Clinic & Game>Montilimar–*Montilimar
-Finish the day at the Barcelo
3-Depart (9:30am) to airport & Fly to USA

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

•