The Tribune

By BRENT STUBBS

Senior Sports Reporter

bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

ALTHOUGH they have changed location, the Mario Ford Baseball Camp continues to grow strong, now into its 35th year of existence.

Mario Ford, one of the country’s most versatile athletes, had to move the camp from Windsor Park because of the renovations taking place there. They are now at Columbus Primary on the corner of Collins Avenue and Wulff Road.

Every Saturday between the hours of 9:30am and noon until March 27, Ford will be conducting skills clinics for young baseball players between the ages of 5-15 years of age.

“We are relocated, but we are doing the same thing,” Ford said. “We are doing the basic fundamentals, teaching the kids how to grip the ball, step in and throw, basically working on their defence, catching, fielding and the proper ways to throw the ball.

Despite the fact that there are still concerns about the social gathering due to the coronavirus pandemic, Ford said they are ensuring that everyone is sanitised and wearing their masks.

“We are making sure that we are in line with everything that the Competent Authority is asking us to do,” he stated. “We just want to keep the kids active by finding some positive things for them to do.

“Baseball is a game of discipline and repetition, so if you are interested in the sport, we invite them to come here at Columbus Primary. The skills don’t change. We just try to enforce the things that we need to do to learn the basic skills.”

As he only concentrates on developing the players, Ford said he then encourages them to branch out and participate in the various baseball leagues so that they could display their skills.

Stephen ‘Barber’ Poitier, one of the instructors, said it’s a joy watching what Ford is doing. He, along with Tia Rolle, has joined Ford in putting on the camp.

“When we were growing up, we didn’t have this,” he said. “We just go by what you know. They just put you on the field and if you didn’t know anything, that’s on you.

“So this is a blessing to the youths. They don’t realise what they have. They can learn. When you are young, you are eager to learn. So hopefully they can pick up on a lot of things that we are teaching them.”

Poitier said Ford has been doing a fantastic job and for so long. He noted that he simply just wants to come out and do his part to help him out.

Raymond Celestim, a 13-year-old eighth grader at TA Thompson Junior High School, said he’s been coming to the camp for the past four years because he wants to become a better player. “I learn how to throw the ball, run the bases and bat the ball,” he said. “Coach Mario has done a good job teaching me the skills that I need to play the game.”

Dominic Mackey, a 15-year-old eighth grader at St Augustine’s College, only started attending the camp this year, but he likes what he’s seen from coach Ford.

“I want to get better at playing baseball and this is the right place to learn,” said Mackey, who likes to play outfield.

“I don’t play any other sport, so I hope I can go far in this one.”

Ford, a veteran member of the Bahamas national teams in baseball, softball and cricket, said he will continue to do his part in helping to develop the next generation of athletes.

That’s one of the reasons why his camp continues to grow, even after 36 years of existence.