The Tribune

By BRENT STUBBS

Senior Sports Reporter

bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

THE Bahamas Olympic Committee joined the many others in extending its condolences to the family of James “Jim” Wood, longtime president of the Bahamas Baseball Association, an associate member of the BOC, on his sudden passing Tuesday night, calling him a “gifted athlete, a knowledgeable coach, a passionate administrator, a Christian, a loving husband and father and a good human being.”

“‘Jim,’ as he was affectionately called in the sporting fraternity, was a mild- mannered giant who was passionate about sports and the sport of baseball,” BOC secretary general Romell Knowles said.

Knowles, who worked closely with Wood over the pass months, added:  “Jim and I had many meetings in the last few months discussing the future of baseball in the Commonwealth of the Bahamas. Admittedly the meetings were at times contentious and lively but always respectful. It was at these meetings I got to know president Wood in a very personal way.

“I learnt that Jim had an incredible passion for his God, so much so he realised that his journey as the chief executive officer of the Bahamas Baseball Association was fast approaching an end. On numerous occasions he was adamant about spending his remaining time on earth getting closer to God and spending uninterrupted time with his wife Eva of 60 years.”

During one of their meetings, Knowles said it became clear to him that I was in unique company.

“President Wood was at peace with God and celebrated his wife and family,” Knowles said. “It was apparent to me his wife and children were his prized possessions and he was determined to be the best husband and father a man could be, no man or woman including baseball was going to separate him from the bond and love of his family.”

On one of their meetings, in particular, with tears running down his eyes, Knowles said Wood specifically told him: “If I should die today, I’m ready to take my place in heaven. My family has endured undeservedly much criticisms on my behalf and it’s time I pass my presidency on but on my terms and my terms are: ‘we do it right to protect the legacy of the Bahamas Baseball Association.’”

For those who would take the time to speak with Wood the man, Knowles said they would have known how passionate he was about the Bahamas, and the young men and women whom he would have mentored or coached in one sport or another.

“He was a humble but a fearless leader, be it on the cricket pitch or the baseball and softball diamond he was never too busy to share his knowledge with the many young men and women he came in contact with,” Knowles said. “However, on game night when he had his game face on, he was about execution and playing the game at a high level, he had no patience for mediocrity, which most times led to his teams winning as underdogs. 

“Jim Wood was a gifted athlete, a knowledgeable coach, a passionate administrator but more importantly he was a Christian, a loving husband and father, a good human being. We in the sporting world have lost a determined leader and friend.”

Speaking on behalf of president Wellington Miller, his colleagues and members of the BOC and the sporting community at large, Knowles offered their condolences to Wood’s wife Eva, their children, grandchildren and others in the extended family.