Africa Baseball Project: Executive Summary
The Next Frontier: Building Baseball’s Future in Africa
Baseball has always been about dreams. It’s the dream of a kid with a tattered glove and a ball made of tape, pretending to hit a game-winning home run in the World Series. It’s the dream of a young prospect from an overlooked part of the world, hoping one day to hear the crack of a bat echo in a stadium filled with fans. And now, it’s the dream of a continent—Africa.
For decades, baseball has been America’s pastime, but its global reach has always been part of its magic. From the Dominican Republic to Japan, South Korea to Venezuela, and the rising powerhouses of Australia and Colombia, baseball has proven that its language—fastballs, curveballs, and line drives—transcends borders.
But one continent has remained an untapped wellspring of potential: Africa. That’s beginning to change, thanks to pioneers like Gift Ngoepe, the first African-born Major Leaguer, and Mario Signorello (a seasoned baseball executive who for more than 20 years has worked to expand the game around the world. They and their team of volunteers have spent the past four years working tirelessly to bring the game to the next generation of African athletes.
The African Baseball League: A Dream in Motion
The African Baseball League began as a dream: a vision of a continent-wide baseball infrastructure that could nurture young talent and create opportunities for athletes to compete on the world stage. With Signorello’s leadership and Ngoepe’s advocacy, the project has gained momentum, building partnerships with Little League International and other global baseball organizations.
The vision for the ABL is ambitious but achievable:
Grassroots Programs: Establishing youth baseball leagues in countries like South Africa, Uganda, Nigeria, and Ghana, where interest in the sport is growing.
Continental Tournaments: Creating a competitive structure that allows African teams to compete regionally, with the ultimate goal of sending teams to the Little League World Series and international tournaments.
Professional Opportunities: Developing a professional league that provides African players with a pathway to careers in baseball, whether in the ABL itself or abroad.
The project has already seen success. In Uganda, Little League programs have produced competitive teams that have made waves on the international stage. In South Africa, more schools and communities are introducing baseball as part of their sports curricula.
Africa Baseball Project: Our “Why” Factor
The potential for baseball in Africa is immense. The continent is home to millions of young, athletic individuals with untapped talent. With the right infrastructure, Africa could one day rival baseball powerhouses like the Caribbean or East Asia.
Ngoepe and Signorello’s vision isn’t just about building leagues; it’s about building hope. It’s about showing kids that there’s a place for them in a sport that has room for everyone. “Baseball taught me resilience,” Ngoepe said. “It taught me that no matter where you’re from, you can dream big and achieve even bigger.”
As the African Baseball League grows, it’s not just creating opportunities for athletes—it’s expanding the story of baseball itself. The next chapter of the game’s history might be written on the fields of Lagos, Kampala, or Johannesburg, with kids who grew up idolizing Gift Ngoepe swinging for the fences.
The Project
The Africa Baseball Project (ABP) is a non-profit organization dedicated to bringing organized youth and professional baseball leagues to Africa. After four years of establishing essential infrastructure, relationships, and planning, we are seeking funding to launch full-time operations. This plan outlines our mission, goals, progress to date, funding needs, and the impact our project will have on African communities and Major League Baseball (MLB).
Mission
Our mission is to develop baseball in Africa by:
Creating a safe and organized environment for youth to play baseball
Establishing sustainable leagues and infrastructure
Providing opportunities for talented players to advance in the sport
Goals
Launch a T-ball and Coach Pitch tournament across 15 African countries
Establish the Africa Continental Baseball League (ACBL) with teams from eight countries
Secure long-term funding to support operations and growth
Progress to Date
Established relationships with baseball organizations in 15 African countries
Secured commitments from former MLB players for coaching clinics and video messages
Identified eight cities to host the inaugural ACBL season
Secured initial donations to support equipment purchases and field maintenance
Funding Needs
Funding is needed to support the following:
T-ball and Coach Pitch tournament expenses (equipment, travel, staff)
ACBL operations (uniforms, equipment, umpire training)
Administrative costs (staffing, shipping, marketing)
Impact
The ABP will have a significant impact on Africa and MLB:
Africa: Provides educational and athletic opportunities for youth, promotes sportsmanship and community development.
MLB: Creates a new market for fans and players, fosters international goodwill, and expands the sport's global reach.
Call to Action
We urge MLB and other potential donors to join us in making baseball a reality for African youth. Your investment will create lasting positive change for communities across the continent.
Business Model
The ABP will generate revenue through a combination of sources:
Corporate sponsorships: Partner with companies looking to expand their reach into Africa and connect with a passionate fan base.
Fundraising events: Host charity games, galas, and online campaigns to raise awareness and secure donations.
Grants: Apply for grants from foundations and organizations that support youth development and international sports initiatives.
Merchandise sales: Generate revenue by selling ABP-branded t-shirts, hats, and other merchandise.
Management Team
The ABP is led by a dedicated team of experienced professionals with expertise in baseball operations, fundraising, and non-profit management.
Mario Signorello (President): Founder of the ABP, with decades of experience in professional and youth baseball.
Gift Ngoepe (Board Member): First African-born player in Major League Baseball, passionate about promoting baseball in Africa.
Rob Isbitts (Board Member): Former investment advisor, working on a book about baseball history and editor of ClassicBaseballWorld.com (this site).
Jeff Lampert (Volunteer): Retired first responder, overseeing umpire training for the ACBL.
Gavin Bennett (Volunteer): Technical Director, baseball scout, and leader in the South African baseball community.
Financial Projections
Financial projections will be included in a full business plan upon request.
Conclusion
The ABP is a unique opportunity to make a positive impact on the lives of African youth and grow the game of baseball globally. We invite you to partner with us as we bring this vision to life.