Puerto Rico Baseball Academy and High School

The Puerto Rico Baseball Academy and High School (PRBAHS) is a non-profit organization combining academics and sports programs into one curriculum. Its goal is to prepare its students for higher education, competitive college scholarship opportunities, and the Major League Baseball Draft. The PRBAHS is the only high school in Puerto Rico or the United States with this type of learning environment.

The school is located 30 minutes outside of San Juan near the University of Turabo in Gurabo, Puerto Rico. It admits students ages 14-18 into 10th through 12th grade.

History

The school was first envisoned by former Texas Rangers pitcher Edwin Correa, who was motivated by the decline of Puerto Rican players in the major leagues. The Dominican Republic has recently had many more players signed than Puerto Rico has, in part because of differing rules. United States standards, upheld by the PRBAHS, require players to complete a high school diploma or to be at least 18 years of age, while Dominican players are able to sign with major league organizations as early as 16 years of age. For the 2003 season, there were 38 versus 79 on the Major League rosters that came from Puerto Rico and the Dominican Republic, respectively.

Although the school was founded in 2002, its inception began 1999, when founder Edwin Correa coached at Las Palmas, the Los Angeles Dodgers’ complex located in the Dominican Republic. It was at Las Palmas where his vision began and he decided to use the complex as a model to draft his own prototype.

Program curriculum

The core academic curriculum includes courses in Spanish, English, United States History, Puerto Rican History, Latin American History, Biology, Work Management, Chemistry, Physics, Geometry, Algebra, Trigonometry, and Pre-calculus. The available electives are Health, Photography,Psychology, Sports Psychology, Music,Journalism, Ethics, History of Baseball, and the Critical Analysis of Chess.

The baseball program emphasizes the mental, physical, and technical aspects of each position to create a complete understanding of the game. Topics covered include throwing mechanics, weight training, fielding mechanics, communication, running the bases, the mental aspect of the game, run downs, the art of pitching, the art of catching, and bunt plays.

Community involvement

In addition to academics and sport, the school also encourages community outreach and involvement in local activities. Students visit hospitals during the holidays, participate in interactive sporting days with disadvantaged children, and visit centers for children.

Notable alumni

Graduates who have been drafted or signed to Major League teams (in chronological order):
* Jeffrey Domínguez - Seattle Mariners - 2004
* Lonny Roa - Cincinnati Reds - 2004
* Luis Rivera - Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim - 2004
* Pedro López - Kansas City Royals - 2005
* Angel L. Caludio - Cleveland Indians - 2005
* Wilfredo Díaz - Los Angeles Dodgers - 2005
* Héctor Pellot - New York Mets - 2005
* José H. Castro - New York Mets - 2006
* Jonathan Santos - New York Mets - 2006
* Luis Sánchez - Toronto Blue Jays - 2006
* Leonardo Calderón - Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim - 2006
* Jorge Charry - Pittsburgh Pirates - 2006
* Francisco Ortiz - Pittsburgh Pirates - 2006
* Helder Velázquez - Colorado Rockies - 2006
* Angel Sierra - Oakland Athletics - 2006

References

* [http://www.prbahs.org Puerto Rico Baseball Academy and High School]
* Hermoso, Rafael. "Baseball and Books.(Sports Desk)(Edwin Correa's Puerto Rico Baseball Academy and High School in Puerto Rico)." The New York Times (April 13, 2003 p1 col 01 (30 col)
* The New York Times: Baseball and Books. (Sports Desk)(Edwin Correa’s Puerto Rico Baseball Academy and High School in Puerto Rico)