The Tribune

By BRENT STUBBS

Senior Sports Reporter

bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

With just over 100 days remaining before the start of the Babe Ruth Caribbean Championships, Caribbean Commissioner Greg Burrows Sr is calling on the public to stop the vandalism of the fence being constructed around the four fields at the Baillou Hills Sporting Complex.

The National Sports Authority has been overseeing the reconstruction of the fields by a host of local partners, but Burrows Sr said it’s sad to see that thieves have been helping themselves to property that has impacted the completion of the facilities. “Despite the thieves taking down the fence for the second time, we continue to press on,” Burrows Sr said. “We are replacing the fence on the western field for the second time because some guys felt they had the rights to take them down and carry them again.

“The assistance with the NSA staff and the Royal Bahamas Defence Force, we are very pleased with where we are today and we know that we will be ready for the tournament on July 5 when the teams start to arrive.”

Without going into any details, Burrows said they are inviting the thieves to “come back”. He noted that they have some things in place to deal with the perpetrators whenever they do decide to return.

Jervonne Williams, a member of staff at the Ministry of Youth, Sports and Culture, said the thieves are not just stealing the fence, but they are stealing opportunities and experiences for the Bahamian young men to interact with their international counterparts when the tournament takes place.

The tournament is scheduled for July 7-11 and will attract more than 20 teams participating in two separate divisions, youth under 12 and youth under 16. SuperClubs Breezes has been designated as the Games Village.

Under the management of Lawrence Hepburn and Bradley Saunders from the NSA, Burrows Sr said the work is progressing very well and while the teams are responding with their confirmation and their rosters, they are making sure that all of the logistics are in place.

“We have the hotel booked and based on the booking and some of parents travelling, we have had to add the Marriot to the list,” Burrows Sr said.

“The LOC is doing its job and Martin Burrows is getting the umpires ready, including some international umpires who will come in to assist.”

Emile Knowles Construction, Bommer George Construction and Anthony Swaby’s National Fencing are all leading the way in the companies making a contribution to the project. Others include JBR, Dan Knowles and Pre Mix Company.

“We’re making a lot of traction since we got started,” Hepburn said. “When this vision got started, we didn’t have any idea how it was going to be done. We just decided one day to come out and get it started.

“It needed to be done. It was overdue. When you have something like this and a significant tournament like the Babe Ruth with people coming to see the best that you have to offer, then you have to step up and give your best.”

Hepburn said they stepped out in faith and trusted in their partners who came through and gave their assistance. He also noted that they have to tip their hats off to all of the guys who come out each and every day to help out to get the transformation of the facilities completed.

“Because it is happening so rapidly, they are enthusiastic. They are inspired,” Hepburn said. “Every day they look forward to coming out here and getting something done. We set our goals every day and we come and get something done.”

After levelling the surfaces, Hepburn said they demolished the old concession stand and dugouts as well as removed all of the old fencing. They excavated the field, put in new fencing, adding the backstop walls behind home plate and erecting new dugouts and bleachers.

“We’re looking to lift these fields with the help of Mr Curling, beautiful place and make it a tremendous place for families to attend,” Hepburn said. “One young man stopped by and he said this looks like something that I would like to bring my family. We haven’t finished it yet, but he said it’s looking so clean that he can’t wait to see it when it’s done.”

Teran Mackey, project director for the LOC, said they are anticipating at least 20 international teams and two Bahamian teams participating in the championships.

He noted that four countries have already supported all of their rosters and requirements for their participation.

“People are excited, the international teams are excited and for many of them, this will be their first time in the Bahamas, so what we’re trying to do is to give them a world-class tournament and some down time that we hope the Ministry of Tourism will provide for them when they are not playing. “They also have family members and friends coming and that is growing the list of guest arrivals to our shores coming from the Caribbean, the United States, Europe and even China. So that is exciting when we think about the economic impact that we will experience when they come here.”

Teams are expected from Aruba, Bonaire, Curacao, Cuba, Haiti, the Netherlands, China, Spain, US Virgin, Puerto Rico and Mexico.

With two different tournaments rolled in one championships, Mackey said it’s anticipated that the Bahamas will be buzzing with activities during the week of July 7-11.