Cubs Hope To Expand In Dominican Republic

CHICAGO (CBS) -- The Cubs are considering expanding their training facilities in the Dominican Republic, according to published reports.

Dominican Today reported that three members of the Ricketts family, who own the Cubs, met with Dominican Republic President Leonel Fernandez Wednesday. Tom, Pete and Todd Ricketts met with Fernandez at the Dominican Republic consulate in Chicago.

Ricketts said the Cubs are planning to buy a large piece of land to expand the team's training academy in the Caribbean country, Hispanically Speaking News reported. The facility 20 miles east of Santo Domingo is used by the Cubs farm team Boca Chica.

There are currently eight players who hail from the Dominican Republic on the active Cubs roster, and the Cubs are also an established donor to Dominican organizations, Hispanically Speaking News reported.

The Ricketts brothers and Fernandez also discussed the need to educate players, including teaching them to speak English fluently and grow personally, Dominican Today reported.