The Dark Side of Baseball's Dominican Gold Rush The Dominican Republic has long been a fertile ground for baseball talent, sending more players to the major leagues than any country outside the United States.
However, behind the glamour of America's favorite pastime lies a complex web of exploitation and corruption that threatens the very future of these young athletes.
At its core is a system that prioritizes profit over player welfare. Trainers known as buscones operate like talent scouts, identifying potential stars to be packaged for sale to the highest bidder.