The Tribune

By BRENT STUBBS

Senior Sports Reporter

bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

DESPITE the challenges they had faced in securing the necessary funding and the players available, the Bahamas Softball Federation has announced the list of players that will represent the Bahamas at the World Baseball/Softball Confederation Women’s Softball Americas.

The tournament is scheduled for August 22 to September 2 in Vancouver, Canada.

Named to the team are Thela Johnson, Ramona Hanna, Bredia Ferguson, Valencia Gibson, Shervette Taylor, Eilyah Johnson, Daria Cambridge, Dawayna Pratt, Shawnte Curtis, Mia Turner, Jevanthe Rose, Sophia Cartwright, Grand Bahamian Altavia Hall and Melinda Bastian. Grand Bahamian Yvonne Lockhart will travel as the manager. The coaches include her daughter Nerissaa Lockhart, Anthony Bullard and Shane Albury.

“We didn’t have much time to work out with the team. Players were invited to try out for the team, but several players were selected despite not being able to practice with the team due to college, travel, etc,” Albury said.

“The majority of the players are New Providence-based players. We have a player from Grand Bahama, Altavia Hall, who is presently playing college ball in Kansas. Manager Yvonne Lockhart and Nerissa Lockhart are also out of Grand Bahama.”

Albury said they were looking for several other players to try out for the team, but they are not available due to college commitments.

He noted that the tournament serves as a qualifier for the 2020 Olympic Games in Tokyo, Japan where the top two teams will clinch their berths. The tournament will also serve as a qualifier for a number of other tournaments, including the World Games.

The Bahamas has been placed in Group A with host Canada, Puerto Rico, Cuba, Guatemala and Argentina. Group B will be comprised of Mexico, Venezuela, Brazil, Peru, British Virgin Islands and the Dominican Republic.

The Bahamas will open play against Guatemala on day one. On day two, the Bahamas will face Cuba, Puerto Rico on day three and Argentina on day four. Their final game in the round-robin will be against Canada.

The Bahamas team will practice at 7pm on Monday, Wednesday and Friday up until the time of their departure for Canada.