The Tribune

By RENALDO DORSETT

Sports Reporter

rdorsett@tribunemedia.net

BASEBALL is arguably the sport with the most populous and effective development programme in the country and two of the local leaders began their seasons last weekend.

Freedom Farm Baseball League and Junior Baseball League of Nassau hosted opening ceremonies at their respective home complexes on Saturday, January 14.

Each of the leagues fields several hundred boys and girls ranging from age 4-18 in many different divisions.

Freedom Farm has fielded 42 teams this season with over 800 athletes. They gathered with parents, sponsors, coaches, family and friends to worship at Holy Cross Anglican Church to open the year.

Following the service, the seven baseball divisions lined up for a parade of players to the Freedom Farm complex in Yamacraw.

Senator Greg Burrows said the league has serviced the community as they celebrate the 29th season under the theme “Be Our Brother’s Keeper.”

“This message has been a part of Freedom Farm. For 29 years we have done what we do and try to get young people engaged in wholesome activities and in this case it is through baseball,” he said.

The group of student athletes were addressed by a number of special guests on the day, both during the service and at the opening ceremony once they arrived at the park.

Lucius Fox of the Tampa Bay Devil Rays, Todd Isaacs Jr of the Cleveland Indians, and Jas Chisholm of the Arizona Diamondbacks, all former Freedom Farm products, were on hand at the opening ceremony.

JBLN announced 28 baseball and five softball teams comprising 422 student athletes for the season. They hosted opening ceremonies at the JBLN Field of Dreams with a similar opening event.

Opening day featured a procession of the participating players, appearances by alumni and dignitaries from the Bahamian sporting community, followed by the opening pitch and play in various divisions.

Play in both leagues continue until June, after which, attention will shift to the Bahamas Baseball Federation nationals where they will compete against leagues from Grand Bahama and other Family Islands.