History
The Birth of a Dream: The Panamerican Independent Baseball League
The Panamerican Independent Baseball League (PIBL) was born from the passion, dedication, and vision of its founder, Orlando Y. Meléndez Miranda, whose relationship with baseball began at just five years old.
Orlando’s journey in baseball started under the guidance of his father, Wilfredo Meléndez Batista, who was not only his first coach but also a dedicated community leader. Wilfredo was known for forming teams with players that other coaches overlooked, helping them develop their skills and grow through hard work, discipline, and love for the game. From him, Orlando learned the values of service, perseverance, and leadership — lessons that inspire his work today.
Behind this foundation was also the unconditional support of his mother, who stood by her husband and family, fully committed to Orlando’s journey in sports. Together, his parents instilled in him the passion and values that define the mission of the league today.
From 2005 to 2012, Orlando pursued a Master’s Degree in Clinical Social Work, specializing in mental health for individuals, families, and children. He also trained extensively in marriage therapy and general counseling.
This preparation laid the foundation for one of the core principles of the league: helping athletes become complete players by addressing not just their physical development, but also their mental and emotional well-being.
The origin of the league is deeply rooted in Orlando’s work with both amateur and professional players, focusing on the mental side of the game to help them succeed on and off the field. Currently Orlando is working as The Mental Health Counselor for the Baltimore Orioles MLB club and Player Development.
2017: The Beginning
In 2017, Orlando began his journey as a youth baseball coach in Puerto Rico, starting with younger categories (7-8 and 9-10 years old). He quickly realized that older players, especially those between 17 and 26 years old, lacked opportunities to continue developing athletically and academically. Leveraging his background in mental health, Orlando focused on providing a safe, structured, and supportive environment for these young athletes.
2019: Puerto Rico Baseball Development Program
In 2019, Orlando founded the Puerto Rico Baseball Development Program, bringing together former Major League Baseball players who believed in his vision:
• Raúl González
• Orlando Merced
• Carlos Rivera
• Luis Román
• José Santiago
With their support, the program became a key platform for young talent across Puerto Rico, opening doors to scholarships, training, and competition opportunities. That same year, Orlando also collaborated with 18 U team and helped promote baseball development in Río Grande by organizing tryouts and events.
Professional Independent League of Puerto Rico
Later, Orlando joined the Liga Profesional Independiente de Puerto Rico PRIBL led by Carlos Núñez. During this project, he served as:
• Coach of the Pelícanos, focusing on developing players and preparing them for competitive performance.
• Administrative assistant, supporting league operations, logistics, and organization.
This experience helped Orlando gain valuable skills in sports management, league administration, and player development.
Puerto Rican League: From Coach to Champion
After completing his role in the Independent League, Orlando launched his own project in the Liga Puertorriqueña, first creating a team in Luquillo, later relocating to Loíza, and eventually settling in Río Grande due to stronger collaborations and better facilities.
During this phase, Orlando took on the role of administrator and owner, building a competitive roster while continuing to give young players opportunities to grow. In 2023, his team won the league championship, marking an important milestone in his career and solidifying his vision for the future.
2023: Nonprofit Foundation & International Vision
In 2023, Orlando founded the Pan American Baseball Academy, a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization in the United States, focused on creating real opportunities for young athletes across Latin America.
Through partnerships with Baseball Without Borders, led by Juan Bustos, the academy has delivered equipment and resources to players in Puerto Rico, Mexico, Venezuela, Colombia, and the Dominican Republic, helping countless communities access baseball.
The work expanded to help players in Amateur and Professional level. Helping them obtaining career guidance and playing opportunities with all Independent Leagues. Identified the reality of players and their specific needs, led Orlando to the next step.
The Panamerican Independent Baseball League (PIBL)
From these efforts, the PIBL was officially born — a league designed to transform lives through baseball and provide a platform for players to showcase their talent, compete at a high level, and access new opportunities. The connections and network with all Panamerican region made this dream possible.
Our mission:
• Develop young talent in two official divisions:
• U18 Division (15-18 years old)
• Pro Division (19-26 years old)
• Promote education and athletics as tools for personal growth.
• Create pathways to scholarships and professional contracts.
• Integrate mental health and player wellness as a core part of development.
Moving Forward
The Panamerican Independent Baseball League represents more than just a competition. It’s a movement to inspire, educate, and empower athletes across Latin America.
One League. One Vision. One Future.
