The Tribune

By RENALDO DORSETT

Tribune Sports Reporter

rdorsett@tribunemedia.net

THE Don’t Blink Home Run Derby in Paradise opened its busy schedule of events with a new initiative and a staple of previous editions.

The week opened with a Celebrity Softball game featuring local artists, athletes and influencers playing alongside the visiting Major League Baseball players at Paradise Harbour at the Atlantis resort on Wednesday night.

When the event organisers squared off, Todd Isaacs Jr’s team took a 17-15 win over Team Lucius Fox to conclude a fun-filled night highlighted by home runs into the ocean.

On Thursday morning, Fox and Isaacs hosted their annual kids’ clinic, also at Paradise Harbour, for scores of aspiring student-athletes.

Clinic participants were drilled at various skill positions, including hitting, fielding, pitching and base- running.

“Doing this for the kids, having guys from the major leagues and minor leagues that they watch on TV here present for them to see them, take pictures with them, ask them questions - it’s something we never had.

“It’s special. We’re just proud to make this event successful for them. It just showed the other kids behind me that it’s possible...hopefully I can make it to the big leagues and inspire the kids even more.”

Community outreach efforts like the kids’ camp remain a mandate of the group for the further development of the next generation of baseball players.

“I just want baseball to grow in the Bahamas. Over the years they’ve been talking about the Dominican Republic and all these Latin American countries, but I know we have the talent.

“If I can do my part to help the young guys be better than us then I will do just that. It’s never selfish when it comes to us we just look forward to breaking down as many doors as possible,” Fox said.

“Our whole goal was just to inspire as many kids as possible. We decided to bring it back to help those kids and also to give the Bahamian people something to enjoy.

“We always encourage everyone to come out and work out with the pros, interact with them and learn as much as you can. It will certainly be a fun-filled experience.

“We just wanted to do something for the Bahamian people. The kids are the future, we know that they’re the future, we take it upon ourselves to help them every chance we get.”

Today will feature the inaugural Don’t Blink Golf Invitational and the weekend concludes on Saturday, December 18, with the main event - the Home Run Derby - at the Atlantis resort on Paradise Island.