The Tribune

TROY Feaste got exactly what he waited for since he established the Abaco Youth Baseball League in 2019, just before the pandemic. He got all hands on deck.

Feaste welcomed some of the most prominent makers and shakers in baseball and softball in the Bahamas in Abaco who came to offer support, encouragement and conduct training clinics or donate equipment to assist the youth programmes on the island, still recovering from hurricane Dorian and the pandemic.

Under the ABYL’s motto “No Child Left Behind,” Feaste proved this point by assembling over 70 boys and girls – ranging in ages 7-18 - for the two-day baseball and softball training clinic at Murphy Park in Murphy Town, near Marsh Harbour in Abaco.

“I want to personally thank Bahamas Baseball Association president Mr Sam Rodgers Sr, Mr Tommy Stubbs of Bahamas Events & Sports, Mr Andy Ford of the Ministry of Sports and National Sports Authority, and Mario Ford of Mario Ford Baseball Camp (based in Nassau) for taking time to come over to Abaco and work with our children in the AYBL.”

“These gentlemen made a significant impact on our organisation, every child and adult,” Feaste said.

“I tip my hat to them for their experience and knowledge in the game of baseball and softball. Our country needs men like them to assist throughout our islands.

“The children were very attentive to the instructions and we’re eager to learn more.”

“We, in the AYBL, can only take our kids so far until the experts, like these men, find it necessary to come out and help programmes like ours. I was in absolute awe of how valuable they are to the growth and development of sports in our country. They taught the game of baseball and explained how to prepare the playing field for games.”

With the continued support and assistance from coaches, parents and sponsors, Feaste believes the AYBL will mold the children of Abaco into better productive citizens who will make a valuable impact on the world.

“This programme is a youth development programme that is designed to teach the children the game of baseball,” the AYBL president said. “It will enable their eligibility to receive scholarships in and around the sport.”

Feaste was elated to receive from the BBA an assortment of baseball bats, helmets, catcher’s gear, gloves and baseballs; and a batting/pitching screen, ball bags and batting-T from Tommy Stubbs of Bahamas Events & Sports who initiated and organised the trip.

“This trip to Abaco was long overdue, mainly because of hurricane Dorian and then the COVID-19 pandemic,” says Stubbs. “The children and young men and women in Abaco have endured more than their share of tragedies and inconveniences. They need our assistance more than most. We were glad to offer assistance and we’ll continue to offer more help where possible.”

Feaste extends gratitude to Western Air, BBA secretary general Teddy Sweeting, and Terran Rodgers, director and acting commissioner of the Junior Baseball League of Nassau (JBLN) for their donations and support.

“As we begin this new year, we have significant plans to continue our journey of youth development through sports building on our league’s mantra of ‘No Child Left Behind,’” added Feaste. “We plan to grow more than we are right now, developing the youth throughout Abaco giving them more hope and possibilities.”

To start the day of activities, the AYBL hosted the 1st annual Kevin Murray Fun, Run Walk. Murray passed away in 2021.

“Coach Murray was born in Nassau and lived in Abaco for over 40 years,” said Feaste. “He was one of the original and dedicated coaches of our league. He was very passionate about developing the youth of Abaco in the game of baseball.”

Dr Charite and his team from Integrated Medical Services conducted free health screenings at the park.

“We need everyone’s help with developing the children in our community,” says Feaste. “Please consider partnering with us as we proactively invest in the youth in Abaco. Sports is the antidote for crime.”

“The baseball clinic in Abaco was a great success,” said Rodgers. “The children were very interested with big smiles across their faces. For me, that felt great. Mario, Andy and Tommy did a magnificent job in getting the attention quickly of about 70 boys and girls. It was a great weekend in Abaco.”

BBA president Rodgers was pleased to announce that the BBA had some of its executives in Cooper’s Town, Abaco, at the Big Nige Park to conduct a baseball clinic, led by BBA assistant treasurer Sonia Knowles and BBA assistant secretary general Tracey Albury, assisted by “Ping” Richardson, one of Grand Bahama’s former baseball and softball players.

“This past weekend, my ministry assisted a team of highly-skilled and trained professionals to host a baseball skills camp in Abaco,” said Mario Bowleg, Minister of Youth, Sports & Culture.

“The expertise offered by these individuals, including Mario Ford, who now works within my ministry, was well received by the Abaco Youth Baseball League,” said Minister Bowleg. “It gives me great joy to know that our youth are getting the proper training and assistance needed. This is the starting foundation for our next professional baseball players. This event was a home run.”

“Study shows that when a child is involved in sports their social interaction, confidence, motor skills and overall health improves,” said Bowleg. “One of the primary objectives of the sports department within the Ministry of Youth, Sports & Culture is to provide opportunities for Bahamians to compete in the various sporting disciplines.”

“This means ensuring that the needs on every island, especially in the Family Islands, are met, whether through facility upgrades, sporting and educational courses, training and equipment through partnership with all federations, public and private organizations.”