The Tribune

By LEESHAN MORLEY

Tribune Intern

WITH the Bahamas Games right around the corner, there seems to still be concerns regarding the umpires selected to officiate the games.

Despite claims by the local umpires that the Bahamas Games Secretariat is allowing chief umpire Martin ‘Pork’ Burrows to bring in certified international umpires to officiate at the sixth Bahamas games, officials have refuted those accusations.

They have indicated the reason why they are bringing them is to complement the local umpires.

Burrows gave an assessment of why it is necessary to include the certified international umpires. “I have certified international and Bahamian umpires also calling baseball,” he said.

He further went on to express how complaints have been made but persons are not up to standard. “These guys want to complain but they don’t want to get up to par.”

According to Romell Knowles, deputy chairman of the Bahamas Games Secretary, the umpires were not invited by the Games Sescretariat.

“The Bahamas Games Secretariat did not invite any umpires to the games,” he said. “Each game is administered by the national federation.”

He further went on to say that having the international umpires officiate is a compliment.

“I don’t see it as sidestepping the umpires that are here,” says Knowles. “It is not a matter of bringing in anyone over as I am told, but rather to compliment the talent that we have.”

Local umpires from New Providence, Grand Bahama and Eleuthera have indicated that there are sufficient umpires throughout the Bahamas and that umpires should not be allowed to come in and officiate at the Bahamas Games, which is for the Bahamian people.