The national baseball federations of Venezuela (FEVEBEISBOL) and the Dominican Republic (FEDOBE) have announced an agreement aimed at improving the level of coaches and game officials in the two countries.
The two parties signed the deal in Santo Domingo, the capital of the Dominican Republic.
The first step of the agreement consists of a coaches' exchange to share knowledge of the game.
FEVEBEISBOL will send experienced umpires to the Dominican Republic to help develop game officials on the island.
"This agreement is part of the Sembrando Beisbol campaign," said FEVEBEISBOL president Aracelis León. "We represent great baseball countries, and working together on development makes both programmes stronger."
FEDOBE president Juan Núñez Nepomuceno said he feels grateful for the agreement since Venezuela ranks higher than the Dominican Republic in WBSC Baseball World Rankings.
Venezuela is the current world No. 6, while the Dominican Republic follows at No. 7.
Dominican Minister of Sports Francisco Camacho said he feels "pleased" by an agreement between baseball powers and is convinced that working together will strengthen both nations.
"We support the agreement between both federations because this is synonymous with unity and fair play," commented Antonio Acosta, the president of the Dominican Olympic Committee (COD). The Olympic Charter commands us to sow values in sport so that you can count on us in this agreement."
