From Dominican Vitilla

to Kapball

A bridge between heritage, culture, and performance

Meet Coach Hector Santos

Hey, I’m Hector, the creator of Kapball. I was born in the Dominican Republic, where baseball isn’t just a sport, it’s a way of life. We didn’t have fancy gear growing up, just a stick, a bottle cap, and a few friends. That game, called Vitilla, taught us how to track spin, react fast, and stay focused on every movement of the cap.

Ask any Dominican ballplayer — from kids on the street to MLB pros — and they’ll tell you the same thing: Vitilla sharpened their timing, reactions, and love for the game. It did the same for me, helping me build confidence and discipline that carried from the street to the diamond.

With Kapball, my goal is to make Vitilla more accessible, bringing those same lessons, creativity, and joy to players everywhere. It’s more than a training tool; it’s a bridge between cultures, built to help the next generation play with heart, focus, and passion.

The Vitilla Tradition

In the Dominican Republic, Vitilla is more than a game—it's a cultural institution that has shaped generations of world-class hitters.

Creates consistent contact
Prevents bad habits
Develops hand-eye coordination
Builds confidence at the plate
Creates community bonds
Keeps training fun

Bringing Tradition to the World

Today, as a coach, Hector teaches those same skills to his players. Kapball is his way of bringing Vitilla's magic to the world: a modern training tool that doubles as a game, built to sharpen your swing anywhere—backyard, driveway, warm-ups, or practice.

When you play Kapball, you're not just training—you're carrying forward a tradition that made some of baseball's best hitters who they are.

From Street to Diamond

Our Mission

Three core values drive everything we do

Honor the Tradition

Preserve and celebrate the Dominican tradition of Vitilla while making it accessible to everyone.

Equip the Next Generation

Give young players the tools they need to develop sharper eyes, stronger swings, and unshakeable confidence.

Make Training Fun

Transform practice from work into play, making skill development accessible, enjoyable, and rooted in culture.

Vitilla's Impact on MLB

Vitilla's influence on Major League Baseball (MLB) is significant. Players like Vladimir Guerrero Jr., Juan Soto, Ronald Acuna, Fernando Tatis Jr., Manny Machado, Julio Rodriguez, Albert Pujuols, and Luis Arraez grew up playing Vitilla, which helped them master complex batting techniques and improve their hitting accuracy.

The unpredictable movement of the bottle cap in Vitilla closely resembles advanced pitches like sliders and curveballs, making it an ideal training ground for future MLB stars (La Prensa Latina Media) (Call To The Pen).

Kapball: Bringing Vitilla to a Wider Audience

Kapball embraces the essence of Vitilla while offering a modern twist. We designed Kapball to be accessible, portable, and adaptable, allowing players to practice in various settings, from backyards to training facilities.

By incorporating the best aspects of Vitilla into our training tool, we aim to create a community where players can improve their skills and enjoy the game.