Dominican Republic baseball scout accused of fraud

Authorities in the Dominican Republic have accused a baseball scout of fraud and of falsifying documents to obtain professional contracts for talented players.

Police said in a statement Tuesday that the arrest of Victor Baez is part of a new push to investigate scouts they say are selling false hopes to young players.

Baez has for many years run a well-known development program for local standouts that have gone on to play in the United States.

Police did not identify any players that might be involved in the case and refused further comment.

''We have been working very hard to implement reforms that will improve the environment for conducting the business of baseball in the Dominican Republic,'' said Rob Manfred, Major League Baseball's executive vice president of labor relations. ''Today's action by the Dominican authorities is a positive step that the commissioner's office truly appreciates.''