While fans and players alike await the definitive crack of the bat and the pop of the glove, the true foundation of the Bohol Coconuts Baseball & Softball Club is being poured long before the first athlete arrives at the diamond. Behind the scenes, the club’s leadership is engaged in a period of intense “quiet work”—a phase of meticulous planning, logistical coordination, and cultural architecture that defines the difference between a sports program and a professional powerhouse.
The Architecture of a Professional System
Operating from a temporary base in Texas to finalize international support, Coach Merv Moore is having telephone conversations and in-person meetings with individuals and business owners in the U.S. and Japan. For the native Texan, developing an organization that generates revenue and is not dependent on donations to survive is his top priority.
“People don’t see the thousands of hours spent on structure,” says Coach Merv, who starts each day at 4 a.m. “We are building a professional environment from day one. You don’t just show up and play; you show up prepared to execute a system that is designed to take you overseas for a better future”
Defining the “Coconuts Way”
This period is about more than just equipment; it is about establishing the “Coconuts Way.” This cultural blueprint sets high standards for discipline, academics, and community service. Lerma Moore, a key architect of the club’s vision, emphasizes that the academy’s success will be measured by the character of the individuals as much as their statistics on the field.
“We are creating a culture where excellence is the only option,” the two-term barangay councilor explains. “The work we are doing now ensures that every child who joins the Coconuts understands they are part of something bigger than themselves. We aren’t just teaching them how to hit a ball; we are teaching them how to lead their families and their communities.”
The Texas Engine Room
The strategic time spent in Texas serves as an engine room for the project, allowing the club to source high-quality gear and finalize partnerships that will help the club build a unique training facility. This phase is designed to eliminate the standard “trial and error” period common in new startups, ensuring elite instruction begins on day one.
“The distance doesn’t stop the progress,” Coach Merv notes. “Every day we are getting closer to funding the Coconut Performance Center and it’s crown jewel, the Eco-Lodge.”
“Bohol has over 400,000 kids that are age 14 or younger, and our goal is to identify kids who have the physical and mental talents to become elite athletes,” the native Texan added. “Very few people – myself, Lerma, and my closest friends – believe that we can develop elite minor league baseball prospects. But, I have been proving people wrong my entire life.”
A Foundation for Life Beyond the Field
As construction for the facility and the associated Eco-Lodge suites is scheduled to break ground this June, the focus remains on the holistic development of the athlete. This includes everything from nutritional mapping to English-speaking classes to mental skills training, all of which are key elements of the academy.
“Our mission is to change the trajectory of these children’s lives. That kind of impact requires a solid foundation, which is exactly what we are pouring into the program,” says Lerma. “We want the parents in Bohol to know that we have spent months thinking about their children’s safety, education, and future before we even planned the first training.”
Building the Narrative of Success
The preparation also serves as the narrative backbone for the upcoming “Building the Coconuts” reality docuseries, which will chronicle the journey from these early planning stages to competing in regional and national tournaments. For the founders, this stage is the most critical part of the story.
“Preparation is the bridge between a dream and a reality,” Coach Merv adds. “When our athletes finally walk onto that field, they will find an ecosystem that was built specifically for their success. The ‘Building the Coconuts’ story started long ago in the planning stages. What you see on the field later this year is the result of the dedication we are showing right now.”
Tuning the Machine for June
With the Texas phase nearing its conclusion and the transition to Bohol on the horizon, Coach Merv summarizes the urgency of the current work: “The work we are doing in Texas is the engine room of the academy. If the engine isn’t tuned here, the car won’t run in Bohol.”
In baseball, as in business, the game is often won long before the first pitch is ever thrown. The Bohol Coconuts are ensuring they step onto the field with a championship-caliber plan already in motion.
Don’t Be Good. Be Great!
