THERE was little sleep in the days leading up to January 15.

Dozens of teenage baseball players across the Dominican Republic lay in bed, unable to close their eyes. They had batted, pitched and run until sore, sacrificing time away from family since they were children with hopes of returning with a life-changing pay day. Hopes of becoming the next David Ortiz or Pedro Martinez — big league stars with inconceivable financial security.

Suddenly, for some, that future they fought for was at risk, all because of one promising pitcher half a world away.