The Tribune

By RENALDO DORSETT

Tribune 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 for their 29th seasons at their respective home complexes on Saturday, January 20.

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

Freedom Farm 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.

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 - highlighted by Lucius Fox of the Tampa Bay Rays and Dominic Collie of the Arizona Diamondbacks - both former Freedom Farm products.

Fox, the first Bahamian to appear in the MLB Futures Game - an all star showcase for minor league players - told the crowd of his personal baseball journey which began at Freedom Farm.

“You never know when it’s going to be your last game, it could be today or it could be after 20 years in the big leagues, you have to play every game like it’s your last. I was at school one day and I didn’t know anything about baseball, but Rico Seymour, he was the PE teacher at the school I attended and he had a team at Freedom Farm.

“I stepped on the third base the first day, I had no clue what baseball was, I was seven years old at the time and I just fell in love with the game,” he said.

“When I started we won more than we lost, being here was exciting to us and it was the highlight of our week, so have fun with it. I built relationships that will last me a lifetime. Thank your parents for taking time out to practice and the games. They are your number one supporter and fans.

“We appreciate all of the coaches that helped us to get where we are as professional players. Just know this is to get you better. Y’all may think they are picking on you or being hard on you but I’m sure every coach here wants to see you get better. It’s not to bully you or to belittle you but to help you to get better.”

Fox was named the Rays organisation “Baserunner of the Year” this season.

“You guys are in a great position at Freedom Farm Baseball League. This is the best league in the Bahamas and its a proven fact. We have won many championships in Nationals, we went international and won the Cal Ripken World Series and we continue to funnel talent into the Minor leagues today,” he said, “You guys are in a great position so take advantage of it.”

Collie, awaiting his assignment from the Diamondbacks, told the players to take advantage of the opportunities that the sport can provide.

“I never played much until I got a bit older. I remember when I made contact with the first ball, I think I ran to the mound, then to third, then to first but that just goes to show you how we set the tone having fun on the baseball field,” he said, “I have to thank everyone that played a role helping me to make it through the professional ranks as I made it through Freedom Farm and I’m proud to be apart of this organization. Just keep playing, win or lose it doesn’t matter but through hard work this game will take you places you never thought you would go.”

JBLN announced 31 baseball and six softball teams comprising 470 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, a Junkanoo Rush Out by the Builders Mall Genesis War Hawks, followed by the opening pitch and play in various divisions.

Play in both leagues continue until May and June.