Project Béisbol in Medellín: Baseball, Softball, Community, and Opportunity

• ⚾ Project Béisbol has impacted 20,000+ kids across Latin America since 2008

• 🌎 Medellín programs bring ex-MLB stars to train local youth in November

• 🏞️ El Peñol expansion: first fully managed team, serving Colombian and Venezuelan kids

• 📚 Opportunities to volunteer: teach English, coach baseball, help with logistics or media

• 🔗 Baseball is more than a sport here — it’s a bridge for education, unity, and growth

Colombia is Futbol territory. That's obvious, but over the past 8 years, baseball and softball are making jump in popularity. Partially due to the fact that there are many Venezuelans moving to Colombia and Medellin, and baseball is the most popular sport in Venezuela by far. They are bringing their love for baseball as well as softball, and Colombia is starting to respond.

I have been looking for a baseball group since moving here, and I have found people playing pickup baseball and have joined in, and this has scratched the itch for me, but growing the game of baseball is something I have wanted to do here. I got a chance to sit down with the founder, Justin Halladay, and I was blown away by his love for the game, and the impact that Project Béisbol is making in Colombia.

Baseball in Medellín Has a Bigger Story

In certain fields across this city, something special is happening. Kids who don't connect with futbol are learning, growing, and finding purpose, and it’s all thanks to the Liga Antioqueño de Beisbol, INDER, dedicated coaches and community leaders and Project Béisbol.

As a journalist covering the Philadelphia Phillies, and someone who lives and breathes the game, I’ve seen baseball from every angle. But nothing compares to watching the sport spark opportunities here in Colombia. I’ve even worked with the U16 national team on video performance assessment, and being part of their growth has been one of the proudest experiences I've had working with the sport of baseball.

This isn’t just about wins or batting averages. This is about using baseball as a vehicle for change.

Who Is Project Béisbol?

Project Béisbol is a U.S.-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit that has been empowering kids through baseball and softball since 2008. Their mission is simple but powerful: combine sports, education, and international exchange to create leaders and promote positive social change.

The numbers tell the story:

• 20,000+ boys and girls impacted

• 240 programs

• 8 countries across Latin America

• Partnerships with MLB teams, the U.S. Department of State, MLBPAA, and more

What started as a grassroots effort now has backing from some of baseball’s most respected organizations. But the heart of it all is still kids in communities like Medellín.

Why Medellín?

For over eight years, Project Béisbol has been a steady presence in Medellín. The city is a natural hub; centrally located, full of raw talent, and eager for opportunities beyond fútbol. Project Béisbol is making baseball available to the children in need that want to learn to play the game.

This November, the energy gets even bigger. Project Béisbol will host its second MLBPAA youth clinics:

• November 13 at Luis Alberto Villegas Baseball Stadium

• November 14 at Oswaldo Osorio Softball Stadium

Five former MLB players are flying in to run drills, share their stories, and inspire the next generation. These aren’t just meet-and-greets. They’re hands-on sessions where kids from underserved neighborhoods get to learn directly from pros who have been to the big leagues. Imagine being 12 years old, holding a worn-out glove, and having a former Major Leaguer toss you warm up throws in Medellín. That’s life-changing.

Beyond the City: El Peñol

One of Project Béisbol’s most exciting expansions is happening outside Medellín in El Peñol, a small rural town near Guatapé.

Here, Project Béisbol has launched its first fully managed and coached team. Right now, about 30 kids are involved, including Venezuelan refugees who bring an infectious love for the game. The plan is to grow to 100 kids by mid-2026 and start playing competitively at a regional level.

The El Peñol program is proof that baseball ad softball’s reach can extend well beyond the city. For kids in these rural communities, stepping onto a real field in a real uniform isn’t just about baseball. It’s about dignity, pride, and a sense of belonging.

The Bigger Picture in Colombia

Zoom out and you see just how big this has become. Colombia is now a hub for Project Béisbol’s programs, with impact across the country.

They’ve released full impact reports (located below the text here) and even videos highlighting progress. Kids are getting gear shipped from the U.S., learning English, and participating in international exchanges. These aren’t charity handouts; they’re long-term investments in people. You can see the difference in a kid’s confidence. A boy who never thought he’d leave his barrio gets to travel for a tournament. A girl who picked up a softball for the first time finds herself teaching younger kids two years later.

This is where baseball becomes more than a sport. It becomes infrastructure for hope.

How You Can Get Involved

Project Béisbol isn’t asking you to just cheer from the stands. They want you in the game. Here’s how you can help:

• Teach English: Paid or volunteer positions in Medellín and El Peñol.

• Volunteer coaching: Share your skills on the field with kids hungry to learn.

• Fundraising and networking: Help connect the project with resources.

• Marketing and media support: Use your digital skills to spread the word.

• Equipment logistics: Carry donated bats, gloves, and balls from U.S. drop points into Colombia.

Not everyone can throw a 90 mph fastball. But everyone can help a kid chase their dream.

Why This Matters to Me

Covering the Phillies has given me front-row seats to some of baseball’s greatest moments. But the work I’ve done with Project Béisbol has shown me what the game really means.

When I helped the U16 Colombian team with video performance assessment, I wasn’t just analyzing mechanics. I was watching kids process opportunity in real time. The same kind of chance baseball gave me as a kid That’s why I’m proud to use Medellín Unfiltered to highlight their story. This project deserves your attention and your support.

What’s Next

Mark your calendars for November 13 and 14. Come to the stadiums. Watch these clinics. Share this story. Donate if you can. Volunteer if you’re able. Baseball is alive in Medellín, and thanks in large part to the efforts of Project Béisbol. It’s not just about the game, It’s about community, education, and a better future.

• 👉 Learn more and get involved at projectbeisbol.org

• Whatsapp - +57 316 464 2064

• Email - admin@projectbeisbol.org

• Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/ProjectBeisbol

• Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/projectbeisbol