Dominican Republic and Venezuelan Baseball Federations have signed an agreement to collaborate to raise standards ©FEVEBEISBOL

An agreement has been reached by the Dominican Republic and Venezuelan Baseball Federations aimed at improving the standard of coaching an officiating in the two nations.

The agreement was signed in Dominican Republic’s capital city Santo Domingo.

"This agreement is part of the Sembrando Beisbol campaign," said Aracelis León, Venezuelan Baseball Federation (FEVEBEISBOL) President.

"We represent great baseball countries, and working together on development makes both programmes stronger.

“The idea of our project is to strengthen the weaknesses of our youth in terms of baseball.

“I am grateful for the support they have given me in their country."

The Sembrando Beisbol campaign is aimed at promoting, developing and increasing the quality of Venezuelan baseball.

The initiative targets professional and technical training, increased provision of sports equipment, promoting national events, preparation for international events, combatting doping and working on social responsibility with Major League Baseball.

The first part of partnership with the Dominican Republic Baseball Federation is set to consist of a coach exchange programme, which will reportedly see an exchange of knowledge of the game.

The FEVEBEISBOL will then send experienced umpires to the Dominican Republic to help develop game officials on the island.

The move was welcomed by Dominican Minister of Sports Francisco Camacho and Antonio Acosta, Dominican Olympic Committee President.

"We support the agreement between both federations because this is synonymous with unity and fair play," Acosta said.

"The Olympic Charter commands us to sow values in sport, so they can count on us in this agreement."

The two nations are currently ranked in the top 10 of the World Baseball Softball Confederation rankings.

Venezuela are ranked sixth, while the Dominican Republic are a place lower in seventh.