By Hali Moore
Staff Writer
The alarm buzzes at 4 a.m. in a quiet Texas suburb. While the world sleeps, Coach Merv Moore climbs onto a stationary bicycle and pedals for thirty minutes. This pre-dawn ritual is not just about fitness; it’s a daily act of discipline, a quiet preparation for a mission that will soon span thousands of miles.
After his ride, he logs into his computer for four hours of his full-time remote job with a data collection company. Breakfast is often skipped—maybe a glass of juice and two granola bars on a generous morning. Then, his real work begins.
Coach Merv, 59, an American baseball skipper with over three decades of international experience, is building a dream from his desk. He spends his afternoons and evenings immersed in spreadsheets, investor calls, and digital blueprints—not for a corporate project, but for the Bohol Coconuts Baseball & Softball Club, a pioneering sports and community hub destined for the island of Bohol, Philippines.
In late January, he will leave the United States permanently to turn these digital plans into a life-changing reality for Filipino children from low-income families.
“God works in mysterious ways,” Coach Merv says, reflecting on the winding path that led him here. “I thought my calling was in the mountains of Bhutan, but He was just preparing my heart for something bigger.”
That preparation came during 17 transformative months in the highest country in the world, where he developed the nation’s first youth baseball program and national team. It was there, surrounded by the Himalayas and the earnest faces of children grasping gloves for the first time, that he had an epiphany.
“In Bhutan, I saw how sport could ignite a spark in a child’s eyes that nothing else could,” he recalls. “Those kids had the same passion I had as a young boy, even arriving at the field ridiculously early like I’ve been doing since I was 7-years-old. It made me realize I wanted to dedicate the rest of my life to this—to giving kids a tool kit for a better future through baseball.”
Yet, he had to leave Bhutan because his wife visa was not approved. However, staying in Bhutan would have meant limiting his dream to competition against other fledgling programs in Nepal and the region.
“I felt God leading me to a place with a deeper baseball heritage and far greater potential,” Coach Merv explains. “But I owe those kids in Bhutan so much for reigniting that fire inside of me, and the Coconuts will become allies of the Bhutan Baseball & Softball Association.”
That place was the Philippines, a country that famously won the inaugural Asian Baseball Championship in 1954, besting powerhouses like Japan and South Korea. Despite this proud history, the sport has languished, especially in provinces like Bohol.
His wife, Lerma—a Boholana native and elected councilwoman in Cambanac—is already on the ground, navigating the tangible steps of their vision. She has purchased land for the future club headquarters and has leased a temporary site for the club’s immediate heart: a soup kitchen and mini food store.
“The need here is urgent,” Lerma said, her voice firm with conviction. “We have children who go to school hungry and come home to still be hungry. A simple plate of rice with dried fish might be all a family can afford. Prices are rising, and for many, organized sports are an unimaginable luxury when you’re worrying about your next meal.”
Recent surveys in the Baclayon area indicate that over 90% of young children have no access to structured youth sports, and food insecurity affects a significant portion of households, a silent crisis stifling potential.
The Bohol Coconuts Club is designed as a direct, holistic response. It will offer elite baseball and softball training, yes, but also academic support, field trips, social events, and—critically—access to affordable, nutritious food for members.
“We’re not just building athletes; we’re building whole people,” says Lerma. “You cannot focus on hitting a curveball if you haven’t eaten. You cannot dream of college if you don’t believe you’re smart enough. We will address all of that.”
Coach Merv’s belief in the raw talent of Filipino youth is unwavering.
“The athleticism here is incredible. With proper coaching, structure, and support, Boholano kids can absolutely compete with the best youth players from Japan, Korea, and the United States. The Philippines has already proven it can win at the highest Asian level. We just need to rebuild the pipeline from the ground up.”
This monumental effort is squeezed into the margins of a demanding life. After his early morning job shift, Coach Merv spends hours on Coconuts work: managing the website and social media, crafting marketing pitches, discussing franchise development, and talking to potential sponsors from Japan and South Korea about equipment donations and partnerships. He even chats with Americans and Europeans interested in relocating to Bohol for business. At 6 p.m., he logs back into his data job for another four-hour shift. He finally goes to bed at 11 p.m., only to restart the cycle a few hours later.
It’s a sacrifice shared by his family. Their two children are forging their own paths in Manila: SJ, a standout basketball player, and Hali, a Psychology major and freelance writer.
“Leaving the States permanently is bittersweet,” Coach Merv admits, his voice softening. “But we raised our kids to follow their dreams, and now it’s my turn. God is leading me to Bohol to make a difference, not just for boys, but for girls too. Softball will be a huge avenue for opportunity.”
The vision extends far beyond a single club. Coach Merv envisions a network, a “Coconuts Republic” of 20-30 clubs across the Philippines within a decade, creating a legitimate competitive league and a true development pathway.
“This will be a pipeline,” he asserts with the calm confidence of a man who has built national teams from scratch. “Collegiate scholarships in the U.S. and Asia, spots on the Philippine national team, opportunities in professional minor leagues—that’s the future we’re building for these kids.”
It all goes back to the 4 a.m. bike rides and the skipped breakfasts—the quiet, relentless labor of a coach who isn’t just drawing up plays, but drafting dreams. He believes his journey through Bhutan was divine preparation.
“God led me to Bhutan to rediscover my pure love for youth development. Now, He’s equipped me and led me to Bohol, where the need meets immense potential. The field we build will be more than dirt and grass; it will be a place where hunger is replaced by hope, and where a child’s dream finally gets a fair shot at home plate.”
As his relocation date approaches, Coach Merv continues his dual existence, a bridge between two worlds. Every email sent, every investor convinced, every piece of equipment sourced from overseas is a stone laid on the path to a different future for Bohol’s youth—one where the crack of the bat is a sound of possibility, and no child has to learn or play on an empty stomach.
