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From June 5 to 7, 2026, some 350 young Jamaican children aged eight 17 years old from Kingston and Manchester will be exposed to major league baseball coaching from a team of major league players from New York.

The three-day clinics, conceptualised by Dr. Bill Tinglin – a Jamaican attorney resident in New York, will for the first time see members of the Major League Baseball Players Alumni Association (MLBPAA),  travel to the island to share their expertise in the game. 

The initiative demonstrates a collaboration among educational institutions and community leadership groups and is grounded in the belief that Jamaican youth deserve greater international opportunities.

“For many years, I have dedicated my life to education, youth leadership, international partnerships and humanitarian initiatives throughout the United States and around the world. One thing has always remained clear to me: Jamaica possesses extraordinary talent,” Tinglin said.

“The world already recognises Jamaica as a global athletic powerhouse. We have produced some of the greatest athletes in track and field, football, cricket and boxing. But in spite of our internationally recognised athletic excellence, only five Jamaicans have ever played major league baseball. That statistic stayed with me,” he explained.

And, over time, Tinglin had wondered why, from a nation blessed with so much athletic brilliance, we have such small representation in one of the world’s largest sports organisations. He believes there is a lack of exposure, international access, scouting opportunities, infrastructure and organised development systems. And he now feels the time is right to remedy the situation.

“This initiative is designed to introduce Jamaican youth directly to major league baseball players, professional instruction, leadership development, mentorship and international sports opportunities. It will create and change lives as well as plant seeds that could positively impact future generations of Jamaican youth,” he said.

 Tinglin says for the first time, former major league baseball players and representatives of the MLBPAA will travel to Jamaica to conduct organised youth baseball showcases, mentorship clinics and leadership development programmes. It will see professional baseball experience coming directly into Jamaican schools and communities.

“This represents the beginning of what we hope will become a long-term relationship between Jamaica and major league baseball. Some of the people who have made this possible are:  

• Víctor Quiroga — Major League Baseball representative
• Hector Faneytt — Baseball agent
• Dr. Kaye Huey, Medical doctor

Víctor Quiroga, in particular, played an instrumental international leadership role in securing major league baseball’s participation and in bringing credibility, visibility, and global attention to this initiative.

Through his professional baseball relationships, strategic coordination, and commitment to youth development, he helped make possible the first-ever major league baseball showcase initiative for Jamaican youth.

 Quiroga has also successfully arranged for two major league baseball stars to participate in this event.

One is a Kingston-born Major League Baseball legend: Devon White, a centre fielder and seven-time Golden Glove Award winner whose career spans 1985–2001. White is among the most respected baseball players in history. His accomplishments in the sport make him a role model for Jamaican youth to meet, interact with and learn directly from his achievements.

The other star participating is Midre Cummings, who brings tremendous professional experience, leadership, mentorship, and inspiration to Jamaica’s youth.

Tinglin says the showcases will provide professional baseball instruction, and participants will work directly with the former pros through:

• Baseball drills and demonstrations
• Skills development sessions
• Leadership discussions
• Team-building exercises
• Mentorship opportunities
• Athletic evaluations
• International sports exposure activities

“But beyond baseball, we want these young people to leave believing more strongly in themselves. To understand that discipline, education, perseverance, teamwork, and commitment can open international doors of opportunity,” Tinglin said.

Schedule

• June 5, 2026: The University of Technology in Kingston
• June 6, 2026: Manchester High School — Mandeville
• June 7, 2026: the Northern Caribbean University — Manchester Road, Mandeville.

We are grateful for the full support and blessing of The Hon. Olivia “Babsy” Grange, Minister of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport.

We have also received the support from Hon. Pearnel Charles Jr.,  Minister of Labor and Social Security. With Jamaica’s raw athletic talent, Tinglin is confident we can compete in baseball internationally.