Behind The Bleachers: Expanding the White Sox Legacy in the Dominican Republic
For nearly half a century, the Dominican Republic has been baseball’s greatest talent pipelines, producing legends who’ve shaped the game. The Chicago White Sox have been part of that story for decades—and now, with NOVA leading the development as Owner’s Representative, a new academy breaking ground this August will deepen those roots and expand the team’s reach for generations to come.
A History Lesson
Professional baseball academies in the Dominican Republic trace their roots to the late 1970s. The first facility was established in 1977 by Ralph Ávila in Villa Mella to train local boys with MLB dreams. That early effort paved the way for the Los Angeles Dodgers’ Campo Las Palmas, inaugurated in 1987—widely considered the first modern MLB academy in the country.
By the early 2000s, nearly every franchise maintained some form of academy in the DR, and by the 2010s, all 30 teams had fully invested in the region. Today, the DR stands as baseball’s premier international talent source: as of 2023, 145 MLB players—about 10.45% of the league—hail from the island, which has just 3% of the U.S. population. Dominican-born stars have earned MVPs, Cy Young Awards, and produced four Hall of Famers: Juan Marichal, Pedro Martínez, Vladimir Guerrero Sr., and David Ortiz.
This strong foundation was shaped by visionaries like Junior Noboa, who has been building and developing academies across the DR for over 30 years. Junior Noboa was the first international hire for the Arizona Diamondbacks, where he now serves as Vice President of Latin American Operations. He also currently leads as the Commissioner of Baseball in the Dominican Republic, bringing unparalleled experience and credibility to the sport’s continued growth on the island.
Beyond facilities, Junior Noboa has always prioritized an education-first approach—ensuring young athletes have the resources to complete high school and access the tools needed for long-term success, whether on or off the field. His leadership has helped set the standard for what modern academies can and should provide, blending elite player development with meaningful academic and life opportunities.
At NOVA, we’re incredibly fortunate to be working hand-in-hand with Junior Noboa and the White Sox on this project. His decades of expertise and deep connection to the DR baseball community make him an invaluable partner, and together we’re laying the foundation for a facility that will honor history while shaping the future of the game.
The White Sox and the Dominican Republic: Deep Roots
The Chicago White Sox officially opened their own academy in January 2008 and have since upgraded their Boca Chica academy, adding classrooms, dorms, lounge spaces, and even a sports psychologist, underscoring a commitment to holistic player development.
Why This Matters: Fan Renewal & Community Excitement
It’s now time for another landmark investment. NOVA is proud to serve as Owner’s Rep for the new White Sox DR development—breaking ground this month. This world‑class academy will build on decades of Sox history in the DR while looking firmly to the future.
For Chicago fans, it’s a reason to be excited—fresh talent, world-class resources, and a renewed commitment to the team’s future.
Planned features include:
Dormitory‑style housing for players and coaches
Multiple full‑size baseball fields, batting cages, and bullpens
Recovery zones and agility fields
Classrooms, computer lab,s and education spaces
Modern locker rooms, offices, and a state-of-the-art performance facility
Spacious Indoor and outdoor player lounge with games like ping pong, pool, dominoes, and comfortable seating to play video games and watch all MLB games
A dedicated barbershop… yes, you read that correctly!
A Legacy and a Launchpad
NOVA’s role goes beyond construction oversight—we share the vision: honoring the White Sox history of cultivating Dominican talent while creating something entirely new. This academy will be Chicago’s gateway—rooted in global scouting tradition, built for the future.
We broke ground this month, and will have much more to share in the coming months—renderings, staff interviews, community partnerships, and more.
Sox Fans: stay tuned for the excitement ahead!
