Huascar Fuentes, founder of Project Baseball AC in Arizona, was interviewed by Roy Kessel of Sports Philanthropy Network at the MLB Players Trust Gala in Phoenix. Fuentes spoke about his organization’s mission to support underprivileged youth through baseball, focusing on mentorship and personal growth rather than just athletic success. He emphasized the importance of guiding kids who are often overlooked, teaching them life lessons through the sport, and fostering resilience and discipline.
HUASCAR FUENTES
Huascar Fuentes was born and raised in San Cristóbal, Dominican Republic. He grew up in a large family and works for his father’s family company starting at a very young age, while also pursuing his dream of becoming a baseball player. Most of his adolescence was spent studying, working and doing everything he could to become a better baseball player. Whether he had to hitchhike, walk for miles, or play without equipment, he always found a way to make it to the baseball field and give it his all.
In November 2013, Huascar signed with Pittsburgh Pirates. He was one of the oldest players among his peers to sign professionally, which was a dream come true after years of hard work. As one of the older players on his teams, Huascar always took the role of leader and mentor, which he continues to be even years later. In 2015 he was the top hitter in the Pirates Dominican Republic camp. After playing for 4 years for the Pirates and the Bristol Pirates and the West Virginia Black Bears, he suffered a career-ending injury tearing his thigh muscle. This was devastating for Huascar and a hard pill to swallow but he had faith that God had a plan for him.
He moved to Phoenix, Arizona in 2018 originally working construction jobs, trying to figure out the right path for himself. He started coaching youth baseball part time in 2019 and after the birth of his first son, Damian, he decided to not give up on his dream of baseball but use all of his experience and passion for the game to help young baseball players like he once was. So in the Fall of 2021, he started Project Baseball and quickly made a name for himself in the Arizona baseball club community. Within the first two seasons, Project Baseball was already winning championships and in the top 3 of the state for USSSA. In their 3rd season, the 13UAAA team got bumped up to Majors after having proved themselves on the field.
He is currently the Head Coach and President of Project Baseball AZ and also gives private hitting lessons. When he’s not coaching baseball, he’s spending time with his wife and kids, at church or watching American Idol.
PROJECT BASEBALL AZ
Our mission is to put our players on the path toward respect, integrity, honesty, principles and values through the game of baseball. We want to teach our players the value of doing the right thing all the time no matter where you are, to remember where you come from so you know where you’re trying to go.
Our philosophy is to teach our players to make a commitment with themselves before anyone else. We want them to understand that the game of baseball is for seasons but that we want to instill in them to think be their best beyond those seasons, on the field now and off the field later. When they leave our team or even leave the sport, our hope is that they take with them self-confidence, self-respect, respect for others, and a motivation to always continue learning and growing. We are Project [More Than] Baseball.
WATCH THE INTERVIEW HERE
– (00:00) Introduction – Roy Kessel introduces the interview at the MLB Players Trust Gala in Phoenix and welcomes Huascar Fuentes.
– (00:33) Founding Project Baseball AZ – Fuentes shares his motivation for creating the organization, emphasizing the need for genuine mentorship over financial gain.
– (01:05) Baseball Background – He discusses his upbringing in the Dominican Republic, his family’s connection to baseball, and his professional career with the Pittsburgh Pirates.
– (01:39) Identifying a Need in Phoenix – Fuentes highlights the differences in baseball culture between the Dominican Republic and the U.S., stressing the need for deeper values and respect for the game.
– (02:35) Supporting Overlooked Youth – His organization focuses on kids with behavioral challenges, offering them mentorship and opportunities that other programs might deny them.
– (03:36) Teaching Life Lessons Through Baseball – Fuentes explains how baseball is used as a tool to instill discipline, resilience, and strong character in young athletes.
– (04:06) Overcoming Attitude Challenges – He reflects on his own struggles with a strong attitude as a young player and how honesty and tough love help kids improve.
– (06:01) A Coach’s Influence– Fuentes shares how a coach in the Pittsburgh Pirates organization helped him shift his mindset and how he now strives to do the same for his players.
– (08:06) Future Goals for Project Baseball AZ – He hopes to expand the program by educating parents on how to better support and challenge their children for growth.
– (09:17) Leaving a Legacy – Fuentes expresses his commitment to making a lasting impact through mentorship and helping young athletes develop as both players and people
