The Tribune

By BRENT STUBBS

Senior Sports Reporter

bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

WITH the English Caribbean Ladies Softball Championship and World Games Qualifier on the horizon, Bahamas Softball Federation president Burkett Dorsett said they are putting the final touches on the national team as well as the facilities in Freeport, Grand Bahama.

The ECASC tournament, scheduled for January 23-27 at the Grand Bahama Sports Complex, will showcase the Bahamas against visiting teams from Jamaica, the British Virgin Islands, the Turks & Caicos Islands, Aruba and Belize.

Managed by Mario Ford and coached by Spurgeon Johnson and Lenny Newton from Grand Bahama, the team will feature a mixture of youth and experience with Mary ‘Cruise’ Edgecombe anchoring the pitching squad, multi-talented Larikah Russell controlling the infield and Neressa Seymour as one of the key factors on the outfield.

The team is comprised of the following players: Mary Edgecombe, Thela Johnon, Marvel Miller, Latoya Brown (Grand Bahama), Larikah Russell (Grand Bahama), Neressa Seymour, Tyrice Curry, Dorina Perry (Spanish Wells), Brandy Perry (Spanish Wells), Sharnell Symonette, Desiree Coakley, Breshante Darville, Tyra Evans (Grand Bahama),  Teshenna Pinder (Grand Bahama), Shavette Taylor, Candice Smith and Lathera Brown.

“The team has been in practice mode since September,” Dorsett said. “They were actually preparing to go to a tournament in mid-November, so they have been practicing for four months now and they are looking pretty good. It’s a young team with about three or four veterans on it, so they should gel very well. From the look of it, it appears to be a very good offensive team. Once the pitching holds up, they should do very well.”

Ford said the team, which practiced Thursday night and will be back at the Banker’s Field at the Baillou Hills Sporting Complex 7:30am Saturday, is working on their chemistry.

“The main focus is our pitching, which we hope will pull us through,” Ford said. “Once they can hold up and we play defense, I’m sure that we will be able to score some runs and do whatever is needed to win.”

Looking at the make up of the team, Ford said “they have the offense. We know what the batters are capable of doing. But our depth is going to be in pitching with Mary, Marvelle and Thela and a pitcher from Spanish Wells, who is making the team for the first time. She is already starting to mix up her pitches.”

Ford, however, said they definitely need to strengthen their infield, especially between the shortstop and second base.

“We have to be ready to make the plays and turn the double plays,” he said. “We just want them to be knowledgeable of what they have to do to make things happen.”

Dorsett said they have put together an organising committee in Grand Bahama, which is working along with the Ministry of Youth, Sports and Culture to ensure that everything is in order before the tournament gets underway.

“They are making sure that the field is properly prepared, the infield is resurfaced, the field is secured and there is an ample area for the teams to practice,” he said. “So all reports are that they are right on target.”

Some of the teams have already submitted their rosters, according to Dorsett, and they are scheduled to start arriving in Grand Bahama by Tuesday, January 22. The Bahamas team will also be heading to Grand Bahama on January 22 after casting their votes on the referendum on Monday, January 21.

Additionally, the ECASC is scheduled to hold its annual general meeting in Grand Bahama on January 22 when all of the member countries will be hearing the various reports. The ISF’s president and other members are also expected to attend.