A series of powerful earthquakes struck Venezuela’s coastal state of La Guaira on June 24, leaving thousands homeless and devastating communities already grappling with economic hardship. Among those affected is 12-year-old baseball player Yeferson Seijas, a promising young athlete whose home and possessions were destroyed in the disaster.

Yeferson, who plays shortstop, has lost his family’s apartment, along with furniture, clothing, sports equipment, and trophies in the quake. After the tremors destroyed his home, he and his family of seven took refuge in a makeshift tent erected in a baseball field near Playa Grande, approximately three kilometers north of an abandoned stadium where local players continue to practice despite the challenges.

Venezuela’s government has classified roughly 18,000 people as homeless following the earthquakes. Many families now live in temporary shelters scattered with tents and tarps, surrounded by the ruins of buildings flattened by the seismic event. The community mourns those injured, missing, or killed, including some of Yeferson’s childhood friends.

Yeferson recalls the moment the earthquake struck while he was retracing his steps to find a lost debit card. The bakery he had just left was destroyed in seconds, and his family narrowly escaped the collapse of their apartment and a nearby gas explosion. His father, Anthony Seijas, found him in the street amid the chaos.

Baseball holds a significant cultural place in Venezuela, particularly in La Guaira, which is linked to the country’s oil industry. The sport gained popularity in the early 20th century through U.S. energy companies that built playing fields in oil-producing regions, creating a strong tradition that has produced notable major league stars such as Miguel Cabrera, Félix Hernández, Omar Vizquel, and Andrés Galarraga. Venezuela also claimed its first victory over the United States in the World Baseball Classic this year.

Despite the sport’s prominence, participation in youth baseball leagues has declined sharply due to the combined effects of the COVID-19 pandemic and Venezuela’s prolonged economic crisis, which has forced millions into poverty and spurred mass migration. Currently, around 40,000 children and teenagers are registered in baseball leagues nationwide, less than half the number from 2005. Funding for these leagues mainly comes from parents and local businesses.

For talented players like Yeferson, the path to professional baseball is expensive and uncertain. Promising athletes often join academies by age 12, where they are scouted for opportunities in Major League Baseball or affiliated teams abroad. Many rely on financial backers to cover costs, but Yeferson’s backer, who also owned his team, was among those lost in the earthquake.

Coach Franklin Longa, who has trained major leaguers including Maikel García and Ronald Acuña Jr., expressed deep sorrow at the tragedy. “It hurts us all to the core,” Longa said, recalling that a scheduled local baseball event was postponed due to rain just hours before the disaster struck.

Yeferson’s family had initially benefited from government housing programs during Venezuela’s oil-fueled economic boom, but deteriorating conditions forced them to seek work abroad before returning to their home. The family’s loyalty to the ruling party did not shield them from the hardships that followed, including threats to reclaim their housing amid social tensions.

Now living in temporary shelter, Yeferson and his family face an uncertain future. It remains unclear how long they will endure these conditions or whether Yeferson’s baseball career will continue amid the disruption. For the moment, the young players find solace in the game, gathering at the abandoned stadium when weather permits to play and support one another.

On Yeferson’s jersey, a message underscores the resilience of the community: “United, we are stronger.”