Arizona Diamondbacks Celebrate Grand Opening of State-of-the-Art Dominican Academy

By Londun Christensen

The Arizona Diamondbacks hosted the official grand opening of their Dominican Academy at the Las Américas complex in the Dominican Republic, celebrating a significant milestone in the team’s efforts to develop international talent and support player growth.

The event brought together more than 200 guests, including senior leadership, current players, alums, Dominican dignitaries, sports authorities, and representatives from the construction team.

Derek Hall, the Diamondbacks’ President, CEO, and General Partner, led the ceremony alongside Junior Noboa, the team’s Vice President of Latin Operations. They were joined by Dominican Republic President Luis Abinader, Minister of Sports Kelvin Cruz, and Josh Rawitch, President of the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum, who served as master of ceremonies.

During the ceremony, Hall unveiled two dedications honoring individuals who contributed significantly to the Diamondbacks’ work in the Dominican Republic.

The Ken Kendrick Education Center, named after the team’s Managing General Partner, will support the Diamondbacks’ groundbreaking education program. 

The center, which features three classrooms, is designed to provide Dominican-based players with free education as they pursue their baseball careers. This program began in 2014 and has already seen its first graduating class, reflecting Kendrick’s vision of equipping players with the skills to succeed on and off the field.

After years of hard work, we officially unveiled our brand new academy in the Dominican Republic today.

Attended by #Dbacks executives as well as Dominican President Luis Abinader, the ceremony showcased the state-of-the-art facility and our proud commitment to the country. pic.twitter.com/qRuQiOYan3

— Arizona Diamondbacks (@Dbacks) November 18, 2024

Junior Noboa Field was also unveiled in honor of Noboa’s nearly three decades of dedication to the organization. Noboa, who became the team’s first international hire in 1995, has played a vital role in developing Latin players and establishing the Diamondbacks’ presence in the region.

Hall also announced that the Diamondbacks are now the first team in the Dominican Republic to feature a field with lights at their academy. This enhances the training experience for players, as they can workout at night.

The grand opening celebrates the culmination of a cutting-edge facility that broke ground in August 2018. Situated on the historic site of the Diamondbacks’ original development from 1996 to 2003, the academy has top-notch amenities designed to support nearly 100 prospects, coaches, and staff members. These amenities include three full-size fields, a covered batting cage, an agility field, a modern training room, and a weight room. 

The grand opening of the Dominican Academy demonstrates the Diamondbacks’ commitment to making a positive impact on the community while enhancing player development.