Erasmo Ramirez Honored By FESA

Last Thursday, January 10, two hundred and fifty three people arrived for a banquet at Club Árabe Salvadoreño in San Salvador put on by the FESA (La Fundación Educando a un Salvadoreño), quite literally the Foundation to Educate a Salvadorian, to hear about the experiences of a young Nicaraguan.

Erasmo Ramírez, fresh off his rookie campaign with the Seattle Mariners, recounted his goals entering the 2012 season, his success at the Major League level, his path getting to professional baseball (aided by FESA) and his goals for the upcoming season.

Erasmo Ramirez talks about his MLB experience and FESA (courtesy of FESAelSalvador.org)

Erasmo recounted his reaction to making the Major League roster and at one point was overcome with emotion on stage.

For background, FESA began as a program whose objectives were to contribute to the development of youth baseball and in 2001 added an educational aspect to the program. The program focuses on young males between the ages of 12 and 18.

When asked what he would be doing without the assistance of FESA, Ramirez replied:

“Right now I would be playing in the Nicaraguan professional league because I was always told that my height was not favorable. Then don Jorge Bahaía (president of FESA) extended his hand to help.”

Erasmo became the first player developed by FESA to reach the Major Leagues and aside from sharing his experiences at the banquet, he also took to the fields to share his thoughts and sign autographs for young baseball players from local schools.

Erasmo Ramirez works with youth players during a Clinic in El Salvador (courtesy of FESAelSalvador.org)

Here’s a transcript of some of the topics covered during the event: The Big Leagues Are Another World

Click here to learn more about the FESA