The Tribune

By RENALDO DORSETT

Tribune Sports Reporter

rdorsett@tribunemedia.net

James Rolle became the latest Bahamian to reach an agreement with a Major League Baseball franchise when he signed with the Baltimore Orioles Tuesday night.

Rolle, a product of the International Elite Sports Academy, signed with the Baltimore Orioles organisation to enter their minor league farm system.

The 17-year-old infielder signed before a group of friends, family members, baseball enthusiasts and his I-Elite schoolmates at the Holy Cross Parish Hall.

“After five long years of blood, sweat and tears, working hard, I’ve achieved my goal of becoming a professional baseball player. I would love to thank God for giving me the courage to wake up everyday and work hard.

“Today we celebrate my success but it would not be possible without the help of a few individuals that played instrumental roles in my life. I would like to say a special thank you to all my coaches who put in that extra work. This now gives me a chance to achieve my long term goal of becoming a major league player. This is when I put my best foot forward and work harder than I ever did before. I would like to thank the Orioles organisation for seeing the special potential and talent in me and giving me the opportunity to pursue my dream.”

Rolle noted his awareness of the journey ahead and encouraged his fellow teammates along their own paths to success.

“Each of you in this room has been supportive and I hope it continues because what I hear from other Bahamian professional players is that it is a long hard, competitive journey but with the prayers and your support I will succeed,” he said, “I want to give a word of encouragement to my I-Elite brothers to keep working, and one day it will be you up here, but trust me, it is not easy. It takes hard work, perseverance, dedication and consistency.”

Calvin Maduro, Orioles International Scout and Pitching Coach said Rolle’s strong support system will vital as he looks to progress in his pro career.

“I sign a lot of guys but I like this support James has at his signing,” This is the beginning. For us in baseball, at the pro level this is the easiest part. Right now everyone who signs professional is the best on that team, so when they get there [to where the team assigns them] they have to show they are the best in that new group. You compete against the ones next to you and that’s how you get to the next level. It’s pretty much how baseball works”

He also said Rolle continues to show flashes of the attitude and skill level that drew the organisation’s attention.

“Two weeks ago in the Dominican he’s playing first base. We know hes a strong big guy but he was making plays stretching and splitting at first base to the point where we were trying to figure out what is going on,” Maduro said, “It’s not only that but the way he was playing the game is the way we want to see the game played. He shows what it takes to be on time. The one thing he can’t rush is the time it takes to get there.”

International Elite Sports Academy was founded by directors Geron Sands and Albert Cartwright. It provides an avenue for players between the ages of 11 and 17 years an opportunity to hone their skills with the view of playing at the professional level.

Sands said he saw the sings of a professional player early in Rolle’s days at the Freedom Farm Baseball League.

In 2014 at the Gatorade Maximum Development Sports Academy 12-and-Under All-Star Game,

Rolle claimed MVP honours with an awe inspiring three-home run, 12 RBI performance.

“I’ve never seen a guy hit 12 RBIs in one game and I always tell that story. That is huge. From that day on, I realised that kid was special to do something like this and I’ve never seen it since. All of the guys that went on to play professional baseball, there’s always that time in their little league career that you can see they are on the path to be a professional. That was the moment for him,” Sands said, “He liked the worked, he’s one of the hardest working guys I’ve ever been around. Everyone was always on him about his size but we knew it took one team to give him that shot. I just want to thank the Orioles for believing in James and believing for us here in the Bahamas. This is the beginning of his journey but he can rely on us for everything he needs.

Rolle became the first Bahamian signed this calendar year. Prior to Rolle, Warren Saunders was the last I-Elite product to sign with a club when he did so with the New York Mets in August.

“Our goal has been to help these young men realise their dreams and take advantage of these opportunities,” Sands said. “We want these guys and their families to know that signing is not a goodbye from us. We will continue to support them and whatever they need, we are going to be there. We will always be there no matter what,

through the tough times in the minor leagues you have to be able to prevail. He put in the work in, so he deserves this and we have his back no matter what. These are people willing to put in that extra effort, put in that extra time and get that benefit at the end of the day. This is just the beginning of his career and we hope to see more major announcements to come.”