Henry Rolle speaks with Aymara Jones and Anthonique Strachan (right) at the London Olympics.

As of Tuesday, April 9, 2013

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#By BRENT STUBBS

#Senior Sports Reporter

#bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

#FOLLOWING the completion of the inaugural Chris Brown Bahamas Invitational at the new Thomas A Robinson Track and Field Stadium this weekend, the Bahamas Association of Athletic Associations will finalise the four relay teams expected to compete in the 117th version of the Penn Relays Carnival.

#Held in Philadelphia April 26-28 at the Franklin Field, the annual relay meet is the largest held in the world with more than 19,000 athletes competing in all divisions from the high school to the world-class rankings.

#The Bahamas is expected to have representation in all divisions, including St Augustine’s College Big Red Machine and the Queen’s College Comets from New Providence and Sir Jack Hayward from Grand Bahama in the school division, while a number of athletes will be competing for their respective schools in the collegiate divisions.

#For the elite athletes, the BAAA is expected to field teams to compete in the USA versus the World match-ups in both the men and women 4 x 100 and 4 x 400 relays.

#Once again, Henry Rolle, an assistant coach at Auburn University, has been assigned as the co-ordinator for the Bahamas teams.

#“The teams are basically selected based on the athletes who are competing and their availability,” Rolle said. “Due to the budget that I was given by the Penn Relays, we have teams invited to compete in the men and women 4 x 4 and the women’s 4 x 1. But for our men’s 4 x 1 to compete, we will have to pay for them to travel.

#“Right now, I’m having a difficult time putting together a men’s 4 x 1 team for the fact that most of our sprinters who are running are in college. Chavez Hart and Trevorvano Mackey are both running very well, but the Penn Relays is a week before the Junior College Nationals, so it’s a tough situation to ask for them to compete before their nationals, it will be doing an injustice to their schools, who are funding them.”

#Warren Fraser, according to Rolle, will be representing Clemson at the relays, so it will be a “wait and see” situation as far as if he will be able to compete with the Bahamas team that should include Jamial Rolle, Derrick Atkins and possibly Carifta standouts Teray Smith and Stephen “Dirty” Newbold, if he is available.

#“Right now, the men’s 4 x 1 team is handicapped because we really don’t have all of the men available,” Rolle said. “If we can’t get a team together, then we won’t run it. But I’m hoping that after the Chris Brown Invitational, we can be in a better position to make a determination if the team will compete or not.”

#The team will need to run 39.3 seconds or faster in order to qualify for a spot at the IAAF World Championships August 10-18 in Moscow, Russia.

#As for the women’s 4 x 400 team, which the BAAA has been trying to get qualified to join the other teams over the last few years, Rolle said he would have liked to have the services of Carifta’s Austin Sealy Award winner Shaunae Miller, who is committed to running for the University of Georgia, along with Tynia Gaitor, who was hoping to be a part of the 4 x 1.

#“Debbie (Ferguson-McKenzie) is not ready yet, so the women’s 4 x 1 will include the three women that I have training here in Auburn, Nivea (Smith), Sheniqua (Ferguson) and Anthonique (Strachan),” Rolle said. “I’m going to add Carmeisha Cox and Devynne Charlton.

#“They both ran 11.6, so that’s pretty respectable, along with the other three girls who had their season openings this weekend (Smith, Ferguson and Strachan). It gives me an opportunity to work the stick with these three and then decide whether it will be Carmeisha or Devynne, depending which one will be better fitted when we get to Penns on the first or the anchor leg.”

#George Cleare, assistant coach at the University of Georgia, has three women he’s training and Rolle said he will be relying on them to make up the pool for the 4 x 4 relay. They are Cottrell Martin, Aymara Jones and Laneice Clarke, who has already ran 53. Christine Amertil is expected to make her season debut this weekend at the Chris Brown Invitational.

#Strachan, according to Rolle, will also be added to the 4 x 4 pool. The team will need to run 3:34 or better in order to qualify for the Worlds.

#Fresh off their gold medal performance at the Olympic Games in London, England, last year, the men’s 4 x 4 relay team will be led by the “golden knights” quartet of Chris “Fireman” Brown, Demetrius Pinder, Michael Mathieu and Ramon Miller will be joined by Latoy Williams.

#Both the men’s 4 x 4 and the women’s 4 x 1 have already qualified for the Worlds. “I think realistically, we can get all four relay teams qualified,” Rolle said. “The task right now is to get the men’s 4 x 1 and the women’s 4 x 4 qualified. The men’s 4 x 1 team will be the hardest to put together because most of the guys we hope to use are in college. But I may just run one of the quartermilers if we have to. The only problem is you hate running a risk using one of the key quartermilers because they are a medal team for the World Championships and you don’t want anybody to get hurt. So it’s going to be a tough decision and whether the individual is trained for that type of speed.”

#Rolle said at the conclusion of this weekend, the final decision will be made on the complete make-up of all the teams.

As of Tuesday, January 7, 2020

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BAAA President Drumeco Archer.

#By BRENT STUBBS

#Senior Sports Reporter

#bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

#WITH more focus on a lengthy international campaign, the Bahamas Association of Athletic Associations will run a shortened local season in 2020. But president Drumeco Archer anticipates that it will still be action-packed.

#“We have a very short programme, but a very intensive programme,” said Archer following the completion of the BAAA Odd Distance Track Meet at the Thomas A Robinson Stadium on Saturday. “We don’t have as many local meets as we’ve had last year, but they are all very important meets and that is to get our athletes prepared for the CARIFTA Games, the World Indoors, World Juniors and the Olympic Games. We are very focused on developing our calibre of athletes to compete on the world stage.”

#Following the Odd Distance meet on Saturday, the BAAAs’ first full-fledge meet will take place this weekend as the T-Bird Flyers Track Classic is held on Friday, starting at 2pm and Saturday at 1pm.

#Athletes will be preparing to qualify for the IAAF World Indoors, scheduled for March 13-15 in Nanjing, China, followed by the CARIFTA Games, set for April 11-13 in Hamilton, Bermuda.

#The Penn Relays is on for April 23-25 in Philadelphia, the 12th IAAF World Under-20 Championships will run July 7-12 in Nairobi, Kenya and of course the Olympic Games will take centre stage July 24 to August 8.

#“We have a commitment already from Steven Gardiner so we feel we will be able to put together a wonderful team to compete in the men’s 4 x 400m at the World Indoors,” Archer said.

#“We have training camps going on and athletes are making the marks, so we have a huge stable of quarter-milers trying to make the relay team, so I’m excited about that.

#“The Bahamian people are always concerned about how we perform in the relays, so we will demonstrate that.”

#Not only does Archer feel that the Bahamas will be ready to compete at the World Indoors, but look for the men’s team, as well as the women’s 4 x 100 and possibly 4 x 400m teams competing at the Olympics.

#“We have a number of athletes who have consented to compete on the relay teams, so we feel confident that by getting them together to compete at the right time, we will qualify teams to compete at the Olympics,” Archer stressed.

#As for the juniors, Archer said with the performances he’s seen so far, the Bahamas should be poised to feel a very strong team for the Carifta Games. He anticipates that the BAAA should be able to field at least a 50-member strong team to compete against powerhouse Jamaica.

#“This will probably be the most balanced team that we will be taking to Bermuda,” said Archer, noting that they will be relying on Grand Bahamian Terrance Jones and Jaida Knowles and Anthaya Charlton to be leading the squad.

#Once again, Archer said the BAAA will only be taking athletes who have attained the qualifying standards to compete at Carifta. However, he said they have made an exception for the relay teams and in the 100 and 400 metres, they have established a B standard that will allow athletes to be abler to join the team for relay purposes.

#“If we have two athletes that make the A standard, then we will take two athletes who make the B standard so that they can make up the relay team,” he disclosed. “That’s the only exception.”

#From Carifta, Archer said they will then field the team that will carry the national flag at the IAAF World Under-20 Championships in Nairobi, Kenya from July 7-14.

#“I come to the track every day and I watch all of the athletes and the intensity is very intense,” Archer said. “I believe we will have some different faces at Cariftqa because they are hungry to make the team.

#“We also believe that the athletes understand that they have to earn their sport, so even though the pill was a bit difficult to sallow, I believe the medicine did the job, so there is a different mindset from our athletes.”

#In regards to the senior athletes, Archer said their standards have been set by the IAAF and so it’s just a matter of whether they attain them or not to determine if they make those international teams.

#The BAAAs schedule is as follows:

#January 10-11 – T-Bird Flyers Track Classic

#January 18 – Marathon Bahamas

#January 25 – DTSP Wolfpack Invite

#February 1 – Star Trackers

#February 7-8 – LN Coakley Invite

#February 15 – DLT Classic

#February 25-28 – GSSSA Championships

#March 4-6 – BAISS Championships

#March 13-15 – World Indoors, Nanjing, China

#March 12-14 – High School Nationals

#March 27-28 – Carifta trials

#APRIL 11-13 – Carifta Games (Hamilton, Bermuda

#April 22-24 – Government Primary School Championships

#April 23-25 – Penn Relays

#MAY 9 – Fritz Grant Invitational

#May 20-22 – Primary School Nationals

#July 4 – Blue Marin Invite

#July 7-12 – World Under-20 Championships in Nairabo, Kenya

#July 24-August 8 – Olympic Games in Tokyo, Japan

#October 3 – University of the Bahamas Cross Country

#October 10 – St John’s Cross Country

#October 17 – William ‘Knucklehead’ Johnson Cross Country

#October 31 – GSSSA Cross Country.

#November 7-8 – BAAA’s Masquerade

#November 14 – Bay Street Mile

#November 28 – Kids Athletics Cross Country

#December 5 – 3 PA Stallions Cross Country

#December 12 – Stephen Murray Cross Country

Tuesday, January 7, 2020

Tyrone Knowles

#By BRENT STUBBS

#Senior Sports Reporter

#bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

#Following the successful completion of its National Squad Trials in December at Mario’s Bowling and Family Entertainment, the Bahamas Bowling Federation is looking forward to a change in its qualifying selection process this year.

#Tyrone Knowles, who just completed the first of his two-year tenure as president of the federation, said their aim this year is to strengthen the core of their national team selection.

#“We hope to put on a formal national team coaching clinic,” he said. “We are seeking to engage the services of an international coach. That has not been finalised as yet, but it’s all on its way.

#“As for the events themselves, we hope to garner the full participation of the bowling community with respect to all of the upcoming bowling tournaments, which are all geared to identifying bowlers according to their standards.”

#Based on what he has seen at the international tournaments last year, Knowles said they will have to change the structure for their national team roll-off where bowlers will no longer be bowling the way they see fit.

#“Our bowlers have been accustomed to bowling in a prescribed way that is not necessarily conducive to what they go through when they go away to bowl internationally,” he pointed out.

#“When that happens, they are off their stride and everything else.

#“So for example, locally when it comes to the order of bowling, historically we have been putting all of the top bowlers together, but when they go away, the top bowlers are placed randomly.”

#Once the bowlers in the international tournaments get pass the cut off spots, they are then ranked by positions. That is the type of strategy that the federation intends to pursue this year so that the local bowlers are accustomed to competing in that manner overseas.

#“This is one of the changes that we will be using this year,” Knowles said. “That will be in full effect when the Bahamas Nationals is held in February. All of the bowlers will choose a number and that number will be assigned to them throughout the tournament until we reach Super Saturday where we have the top 25 and then they will be ranked.

#“All of that will help them adjust so that they can be better prepared for the international tournament, instead of bowling locally with their friends. We have allowed our bowlers to dictate where they want to bowl, who they want to bowl with and when they want to bowl.”

#In addition to that, Knowles said the federation will also introduce the rotation system where the number the bowlers select will end up following them through to Super Saturday.

#“Hopefully, at the end of the day, we will find bowlers with the mental toughness in addition to their consistency when it comes to bowling,” he stated. “Also for the nationals this year, we will seek to introduce multiple patterns.

#“One pattern will be on the left lane and one pattern will be on the right lane. Again, this will be similar to what is done internationally when we go to tournaments. So they will be able to adjust to different types of balls and their releases.”

#A prime example of the changes the federation will apply this year were experienced during the federation’s National Squad Trials in December.

#David Slatter, averaging 213, took the men’s top spot with a total of 4,260 pinfalls, while Driskell Rolle topped the ladies’ field with a total of 4,060 and an average of 203.

#“We had some exceptionally high scores and high averages,” Knowles said. “The tournament was geared towards encouraging bowlers to bowl better and mentally they were more relaxed without the pressure of having to worry about who is there and who was not there.

#“We had some key bowlers who didn’t compete, but the majority of the top bowlers competed. We had some naysayers, but they didn’t negatively impact the outcome or the performances of those who competed. So at the end of the day, we moved forward because it’s not about personalities, but rather building the sport of bowling.”

#With this being his last year in office, Knowles said he’s looking forward to taking the sport to a higher level before the annual general meeting and the election of officers takes place on October 17.

#And if God allows him, Knowles, an ordained minister of the gospel, said he will seek another term in office.

#• Here’s a look at the schedule of events for the federation for 2020:

#1. Bahamas Bowling Nationals, February 9-22.

#2. 2nd BBF No-Tap Tournament on April 25.

#3. BBF National Doubles Championship April 17-23.

#4. BBF World Cup Roll Offs June 8-13.

1. BBF National Mixed Doubles

#Championship October 12-18.

#6. BBF 3rd ‘No Tap’ Tournament on October 10.

#7. BBF Annual General Meeting on October 17.

#8. BBF Annual Souse Out on October 24.

#9. BBF National Squad Trials December 13-19.

JAZZ Chisholm

#By RENALDO DORSETT

#Tribune Sports Reporter

#rdorsett@tribunemedia.net

#FOLLOWING what many pundits considered a breakout season in the minor leagues, Jazz Chisholm signed with one of the fastest rising sports agencies in America.

#Chisholm joined the roster of Jay-Z’s Roc Nation Sports and will be represented by Kyle Thousand and Mike Rodriguez within the agency.

#Roc Nation Sports is a sub-division of Roc Nation, launched in spring 2013 by music mogul Shawn “Jay-Z” Carter.

#The organisation lists one of its chief objectives as “supporting athletes in the same way Roc Nation has been working alongside and advocating for artists in the music industry for years.”

#According to its website Roc Nation Sports focuses on elevating athletes’ career on a global scale both on and off the field including facilitating marketing and endorsement deals, community outreach, charitable tie-ins, media relations and brand strategy.

#Roc Nation Sports’ roster includes premier athletes such as Kevin Durant (Golden State Warriors), Saquon Barkley (New York Giants), Robinson Cano (Seattle Mariners), Skylar Diggins-Smith (Dallas Wings), CC Sabathia (New York Yankees), Juju Smith-Schuster (Pittsburgh Steelers), Ndamukong Suh (Los Angeles Rams), Yoenis Cespedes (New York Mets), Todd Gurley (Los Angeles Rams), Wilson Chandler (Philadelphia 76ers), Danny Green (Toronto Raptors), Justise Winslow (Miami Heat), Willie Cauley-Stein (Sacramento Kings), CJ Prosise (Seattle Seahawks), Henry Ellenson (Detroit Pistons), Caris LeVert (Brooklyn Nets) and many others.

#For Chisholm, the No.3 prospect in the Arizona Diamondbacks organisation, his season of accolades followed an injury shortened 2017.

#Chisholm had a postseason of accolades recognised twice by the Diamondbacks as its Minor League Player of the Year and named an organisational All-Star.

#He spent the season between the Single-A Kane County Cougars and the Single-A Advanced Visalia Rawhide. On the season between two clubs, he hit .272 (124-for-456)/.329 OBP/.513 SLG with 23 doubles, six triples, 25 home runs, 70 RBI, 39 walks, 17 stolen bases and 79 runs scored in 112 games.

#A Midwest League midseason All-Star, Chisholm led all D-backs farm system players in home runs, and ranked among the leaders in runs (3rd), triples (T-5th), RBI (7th), slugging pct. (8th) and walks (T-9th).

#He then went on to play for the Salt River Rafters of the Arizona Fall League.

#In 11 games, Chisholm, 20, hit .442 for Salt River with a .489 OBP, an 1.257 OPS in 11 games. Chisholm had 19 hits including one triple, three doubles, three home runs, collected nine RBIs, seven stolen bases and 12 runs scored.

#The Arizona Fall League attracts many of the top prospects in the minor leagues.

#Late in the minor league seasons, MLB clubs hold a position draft to determine the players who will participate in the AFL. Most are Double-A and Triple-A players. The league is designed for these prospects to refine their skills and perform in game settings in front of major and minor league baseball scouts and team executives, who are in attendance at almost every game.

#The league featured 17 players on MLB Pipeline’s Top 100 Prospects list, 10 in the Top 50.

#Overall, there were more than 80 members of the respective teams top 30 lists participated in the six-week league.

#Approximately 60 per cent of all AFL participants have reached the major leagues. The league has produced 278 All-Stars, 17 Most Valuable Players, six Cy Young Award winners and 29 Rookies of the Year.

As of Monday, December 3, 2018

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JAZZ Chisholm

#By RENALDO DORSETT

#Tribune Sports Reporter

#rdorsett@tribunemedia.net

#FOLLOWING what many pundits considered a breakout season in the minor leagues, Jazz Chisholm signed with one of the fastest rising sports agencies in America.

#Chisholm joined the roster of Jay-Z’s Roc Nation Sports and will be represented by Kyle Thousand and Mike Rodriguez within the agency.

#Roc Nation Sports is a sub-division of Roc Nation, launched in spring 2013 by music mogul Shawn “Jay-Z” Carter.

#The organisation lists one of its chief objectives as “supporting athletes in the same way Roc Nation has been working alongside and advocating for artists in the music industry for years.”

#According to its website Roc Nation Sports focuses on elevating athletes’ career on a global scale both on and off the field including facilitating marketing and endorsement deals, community outreach, charitable tie-ins, media relations and brand strategy.

#Roc Nation Sports’ roster includes premier athletes such as Kevin Durant (Golden State Warriors), Saquon Barkley (New York Giants), Robinson Cano (Seattle Mariners), Skylar Diggins-Smith (Dallas Wings), CC Sabathia (New York Yankees), Juju Smith-Schuster (Pittsburgh Steelers), Ndamukong Suh (Los Angeles Rams), Yoenis Cespedes (New York Mets), Todd Gurley (Los Angeles Rams), Wilson Chandler (Philadelphia 76ers), Danny Green (Toronto Raptors), Justise Winslow (Miami Heat), Willie Cauley-Stein (Sacramento Kings), CJ Prosise (Seattle Seahawks), Henry Ellenson (Detroit Pistons), Caris LeVert (Brooklyn Nets) and many others.

#For Chisholm, the No.3 prospect in the Arizona Diamondbacks organisation, his season of accolades followed an injury shortened 2017.

#Chisholm had a postseason of accolades recognised twice by the Diamondbacks as its Minor League Player of the Year and named an organisational All-Star.

#He spent the season between the Single-A Kane County Cougars and the Single-A Advanced Visalia Rawhide. On the season between two clubs, he hit .272 (124-for-456)/.329 OBP/.513 SLG with 23 doubles, six triples, 25 home runs, 70 RBI, 39 walks, 17 stolen bases and 79 runs scored in 112 games.

#A Midwest League midseason All-Star, Chisholm led all D-backs farm system players in home runs, and ranked among the leaders in runs (3rd), triples (T-5th), RBI (7th), slugging pct. (8th) and walks (T-9th).

#He then went on to play for the Salt River Rafters of the Arizona Fall League.

#In 11 games, Chisholm, 20, hit .442 for Salt River with a .489 OBP, an 1.257 OPS in 11 games. Chisholm had 19 hits including one triple, three doubles, three home runs, collected nine RBIs, seven stolen bases and 12 runs scored.

#The Arizona Fall League attracts many of the top prospects in the minor leagues.

#Late in the minor league seasons, MLB clubs hold a position draft to determine the players who will participate in the AFL. Most are Double-A and Triple-A players. The league is designed for these prospects to refine their skills and perform in game settings in front of major and minor league baseball scouts and team executives, who are in attendance at almost every game.

#The league featured 17 players on MLB Pipeline’s Top 100 Prospects list, 10 in the Top 50.

#Overall, there were more than 80 members of the respective teams top 30 lists participated in the six-week league.

#Approximately 60 per cent of all AFL participants have reached the major leagues. The league has produced 278 All-Stars, 17 Most Valuable Players, six Cy Young Award winners and 29 Rookies of the Year.

Thursday, August 29, 2019

Jazz Chisholm

#By RENALDO DORSETT

#Tribune Sports Reporter

#rdorsett@tribunemedia.net

#JAZZ Chisholm’s advancement to Double-A baseball has produced an All-Star nod for the highly touted prospect in the Miami Marlins organisation.

#The Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp shortstop was named a member of the Southern League Postseason All-Star team yesterday.

#Chisholm was one of three Top 100 prospects according to MLB Pipeline and leads all Southern League shortstops with 21 home runs and 173 total bases.

#In 112 Southern League games this season with Jackson Generals and now with the Jumbo Shrimp, Chisholm has batted .220 with a .321 OBP, a .441 slugging percentage with 10 doubles, seven triples, 21 home runs, 54 RBIs and 16 stolen bases. He is currently in a tie for second in home runs and fourth in triples.

#Chisholm, the No.4 prospect in the Marlins organisation, was traded from the Arizona Diamondbacks to Miami for starting pitcher Zac Gallen.

#In 23 games with the Jumbo Shrimp, Chisholm is hitting .284 with a .383 OBP and a .494 slugging percentage with four doubles, two triples, three home runs, 10 RBIs and three stolen bases.

#“They did what they thought was a business decision for them, but I feel fine about it,” Chisholm told The Tribune. “I’m excited and disappointed at the same time. I’ve been with the Diamondbacks for the past four years, so that’s the sad part about leaving.

#“But now I get to start a new journey, being with some new guys and getting to know some new people. I can’t wait to see what will happen now that I am moving on to a new team.”

#Lucius Fox also received recognition from the Southern League and was awarded “Best Hustler” for his time spent with the Montgomery Biscuits.

#Fox spent 15 games this season in Triple-A with the Durham Bulls, but has spent the bulk of the year in the Southern League with the Montgomery Biscuits.

#In 100 games with the Biscuits, Fox leads the Southern League with 36 stolen bases. He also hit .223 with a .335 OBP and a .666 OPS. He totalled 82 hits including 16 doubles, eight triples, three home runs, 32 RBIs, and scored 59 runs.

#Chisholm’s selection marks the seventh consecutive season that Jacksonville has earned at least one Southern League Postseason All-Star nod.

#It continues a tradition of All-Star honours for Chisholm in his pro career thus far.

#In his rookie season, Chisholm was also named to the annual Pioneer League vs Northwest League All-Star Game as a member of the Missoula Osprey.

#In 2018, he was named a Midwest League midseason All-Star after he led all D-backs farm system players in home runs, and ranked among the leaders in runs (third), triples (fifth), RBI (seventh), slugging percentage (eighth) and walks (ninth).

MIAMI Marlins prospect Jazz Chisholm gives some pointers to young, aspiring baseball players during a clinic in conjunction with International Elite-Sports Academy at the Pinewood Gardens baseball field. Photo: 10th Year Seniors

As of Tuesday, January 7, 2020

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#By RENALDO DORSETT

#Tribune Sports Reporter

#rdorsett@tribunemedia.net

#MIAMI Marlins prospect Jazz Chisholm hosted youth baseball players to a clinic in conjunction with International Elite-Sports Academy at the Pinewood Gardens baseball field.

#After several hours of training in the fundamentals at various skill positions, including hitting, fielding and pitching, participants were presented with give-aways of Marlins gear and memorabilia.

#As he continues to progress in the Marlins organisation, Chisholm said he hopes it allows more opportunities to give back to local baseball development.

#“Talking to the kids is always important because I want to remind them that once they trust in themselves and believe in themselves they can make it in life no matter what they choose to do.

#“It’s always important to talk about the information you need to gather to become a professional baseball player. I actually learned a lot from the kids today,” he said. “I’ll be home a lot more now that I’m closer to home and I’ll be coming home a lot more for camps now when I can. I always want the younger guys to be able to say that ‘Jazz helped me to be successful’ with whatever they choose to do, it doesn’t have to be baseball or any other sport because I don’t just talk to them about baseball, we talk about life.”

#Chisholm was recently named to the Marlins’ 40-man roster, protecting him from the MLB’s Rule 5 Draft. He also competed for Criollos de Caguas in the Puerto Rican Winter League. He was ranked at No.55 on the list of MLB’s Top 100 prospects at the conclusion of the 2019 minor league season.

#Chisholm was named the top defensive centre in the Double-A Southwest League and his advancement to Double-A baseball this season produced a Southern League All-Star selection after he led all the league’s shortstops with 21 home runs and 173 total bases.

#In 112 Southern League games this season with the Jackson Generals and eventually with the Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp, Chisholm batted .220 with a .321 OBP, a .441 slugging percentage with 10 doubles, seven triples, 21 home runs, 54 RBIs and 16 stolen bases.

#He finished in a tie for second in home runs and fourth in triples.

#Chisholm was traded from the Arizona Diamondbacks to Miami for starting pitcher Zac Gallen.

#Following the trade, in 23 games with the Jumbo Shrimp, he hit .284 with a .383 OBP and a .494 slugging percentage with four doubles, two triples, three home runs, 10 RBIs and three stolen bases. Chisholm joined the roster of Jay-Z’s Roc Nation Sports just over a year ago.

#Roc Nation Sports is a sub-division of Roc Nation, launched in spring 2013 by music mogul Shawn “Jay-Z” Carter.

#The organisation lists one of its chief objectives as “supporting athletes in the same way Roc Nation has been working alongside and advocating for artists in the music industry for years.”

#According to its website Roc Nation Sports focuses on elevating athletes’ career on a global scale both on and off the field, including facilitating marketing and endorsement deals, community outreach, charitable tie-ins, media relations and brand strategy.

#“Roc Nation has helped me a lot, and it’s been a big part of my career. They are always there to make things better, they have given me so many opportunities whether it is with deals, meet and greets, social media presence or just any opportunity they have been,” he said.

#“I’m approaching it the same way I approach every year with goals, [being with the Miami Marlins] it’s just another stepping stone to become a better person, baseball player and an ambassador for the Bahamas.”

#Michael Rodriguez, who represents Chisholm, said he was a natural fit for the brand and that other talented young Bahamians may soon follow suit.

#“I knew Jazz before we signed him. I’ve always known he was the type of player that fits the mold of Roc Nation – somebody that works hard, gives back to the community, somebody that will not only succeed on the field but off the field. We just feel like he’s a superstar,” he said.

#“The kids that are out here are incredible and I told Geron it’s crazy that they don’t have the support for major league baseball like they should, if you were to take these kids and put them stateside, two or three years before the draft, these are first-round talent type players. They are athletic, they can run, they throw, they are respectful kids and I feel like, with guys like Jazz and Tahnaj and other Bahamian players that will make it to the big leagues in the next year or two, the talent will become the new hotbed of baseball.”

#Tahnaj Thomas, the Bahamas’ top pitching prospect, was also on hand to assist with pitching fundamentals.

#“It’s always fun to come back and give back to the kids. I always want to help out with the pitching, just helping them with some rights and wrongs and being focused on their throwing programme,” he said.

#“The kids are the future. We are pros and we learn from the older guys we are around so we want to come and give back to the younger guys here, to come back and try to make them better.”

#In his first season with the Bristol Pirates, Thomas got the start on both opening day and in the regular season finale. He finished with a 2-3 win-loss record which also included 59 strikeouts – the most for any Pirates pitcher since 2012.

#In 12 starts, he pitched 48.1 innings with a 3.17 ERA and 1.12 WHIP.

#Thomas is currently the No.18 ranked player in the Pirates organisation and No.7 among pitchers, according to MLB Pipeline.

#“It’s a lot of Bahamian minor league players coming up now but being a pitcher it’s even more important for us to show guys we have a lot of talent here,” Thomas said. “When that time comes and we do play for team Bahamas we are the guys that will be leaned heavily upon so we have to continue to progress, stay locked in and develop even more pitchers.”

#Geron Sands, I-Elite director, said the organisation prides itself on being a close knit group that is mindful of giving back to the generation.

#“Anytime any one of the pro guys comes back and gives back it’s amazing. The guys here love when Jazz is here because he’s so down to earth with the guys and it always seems as if he comes back with even more knowledge. He’ll get on the field with the guys and show them how to do anything from fielding to footwork. The fields in the Bahamas aren’t the greatest but he’ll still come back and take ground balls just like anyone else,” he said.

#“We try to keep everyone close like a family and I believe in family. I believe that regardless of where you are, we try to stay close just to encourage the guys to come out and work with the young guys in the offseason. They all have their own regimens they go through but they do find time to come back and give to the young guys.”

By Renaldo Dorsett

Thursday, December 21, 2017

#AHEAD of next month’s inaugural “Don’t Blink Home Run Derby in Paradise” event organisers are hosting a two-day clinic for aspiring players.

#Approximately 50 participants turned out on day one of the clinic yesterday, which was hosted at the Freedom Farm Baseball Complex. Day two will be hosted at the Junior Baseball League of Nassau’s Field of Dreams from 9am to 1pm, free of charge and open to players between nine and 14 years.

#The project is the brainchild of Todd Isaacs Jr and Lucius Fox Jr of the Cleveland Indians and Tampa Bay Rays organisations respectively.

#“We came here to make you guys better,” Fox said as he addressed the players just before they hit the field. “We just want to share the knowledge we have learned throughout the years, pass it on to you so you can become better baseball players. It will be a lot of fun, but just remember no question is a bad question, we just want to hear it all and have a good time teaching the game.”

#Isaacs said the event gave the players an opportunity to give back to the community and interact with the young group of players.

#“I thought it was important just to give us a chance to be out with the kids. They get to see us, learn from us and it gives us a good opportunity to give back and that is what it’s all about. We can’t keep all these gifts, talent and knowledge to ourselves, we have to spread it around to the kids that look up to us the most. We thought it was important to host the clinic leading up to the home run derby next month,” he said.

#“The focus and energy, seeing them smile and have fun, I feel like that’s more important than the baseball side of things. I feel like them just being out of the house, spending time with each other, learning the game of baseball. The fun that they’re having is tremendous and I’m glad that we did this. For me it’s real humbling and exciting to see these kids and to be with them. It’s all about inspiring that next generation.”

#The players will select four hitters for the junior home run derby that will precede the main event slated for January 6, 2018 at the Montagu foreshore.

#“We will be looking at these kids to see which two or three of them will be selected to hit in the Junior Home Run Derby before us so this was a good way to assess them and see what they can bring to the table. Competition is always fun and this also gives them an opportunity to showcase their talent on the main stage with us so we’re also looking forward to that.

#Isaacs was joined by several participants in the upcoming derby and other fellow Bahamian players at the collegiate or minor league levels, including Anfernee Seymour (Atlanta Braves), Jazz Chisholm (Arizona Diamondbacks), Larry Alcime Jr (Pittsburgh Pirates), Trent Deveaux (Los Angeles Angels), Kristian Robinson (Arizona Diamondbacks), Dominic Collie (Arizona Diamondbacks), Kiethron Moss (Texas Rangers), Tahnaj Thomas (Cleveland Indians), Arrien Seymour (Francis Marion University) and Rio Russell.

#Clinic participants were drilled at various skill positions, including hitting, fielding, pitching and baserunning.

#Robinson and Deveaux were two of the most recent signees and joined their franchises in July. “I remember when I was young and I would go to camps, and I remember looking up to the instructors and the older guys in the camp, now I’m in that position,” said Robinson, who spent the afternoon working in the batting cage.

#“I didn’t really want them to be focusing on batting for power at their age, I just want them to work on trying to see the ball and make contact for the foundations of hitting.

#“When they get older they can understand the science behind it but we just want to build that foundation.”

#Deveaux worked primarily with outfielders on defence. “It’s awesome because I was once in this same position not too long ago so I just want to give what I know to them so they have a good understanding of what they have to do to keep progressing in this game,” Deveaux said,

#“We just wanted to keep them athletic because sometimes you can develop that bad habit of staying up, but for a lot of them the outfield is easy to understand so it’s a matter of working on their mechanics of how to do certain things they will need to learn.”

#Sixteen of the 20 active Bahamian professional players will participate in the event. Several visiting players who participated in the MLB Futures game will also participate including Triston McKenzie, Nick Gordon and Dante Bichette Jr.

#A unique venue presents a unique approach as players will hit home runs into Montagu Bay. Home run barriers will be set by buoys in the water that have been measured with the proper major league approved dimensions.

#Proceeds from the event will benefit the Cancer Society of the Bahamas and the development of youth baseball in the Bahamas.

ORGANISERS and the Bahamas’ top pro baseball prospects will compete for the title of Home Run Derby King when the big event is held at the Montagu foreshore, starting at noon on January 5.

Monday, December 9, 2019

#By RENALDO DORSETT

#Tribune Sports Reporter

#rdorsett@tribunemedia.net

#FOR the third consecutive year, the country’s top pro baseball prospects will host another showcase of local and international talent, vying for the title of the Bahamian Home Run Derby King.

#The Don’t Blink/Charles Johnson Foundation Home Run Derby, powered by REV, takes place noon January 5, 2020 at the Montagu Foreshore, featuring approximately 30 participants in the unique showcase.

#The project is the brainchild of Todd Isaacs Jr (Colorado Rockies organisation) and Lucius Fox Jr (Tampa Bay Rays organisation) respectively.

#“Don’t Blink weekend is going to be something special. It’s something we are super excited for,” Isaacs said. “This year we are fortunate to be partnering with the Charles Johnson Foundation to help our reach get out to the world. The important thing we loved about his philosophy is that he wants to invest in the youth, invest in the future and that’s the biggest thing for us just giving the young men in society something positive to look up to and something that can change their lives. Baseball is an avenue that allows kids to change their families’ lives as young as 16. We play in front of thousands of people every day but there’s nothing like performing in front of the home crowd.”

#Johnson had a major league career that spanned 11 years across six franchises, most notably the Miami Marlins. The former World Series champion, two-time All-Star and four-time Gold Glove winner now spearheads a foundation to increase opportunities for youth through the sport.

#Proceeds from the event will benefit the Cancer Society of the Bahamas, the Sister Sister Breast Cancer Support Group and the Hurricane Dorian Relief Effort.

#“In year’s past we have had a theme for the home run derby and this year the theme will be Bahamas Strong. In the aftermath of Hurricane Dorian, we felt it was important not just to help our brothers and sisters that suffer through cancer but also to help the Hurricane Dorian victims as best we can. This year the teams will support the Cancer Society of the Bahamas, the Sister Sister Breast Cancer Support Group and hurricane relief as the other team. The guys will compete as best as they can to win for their respective charity. All of us were in season with the hurricane hit, and some of these guys are from Freeport. So I couldn’t imagine sitting in the locker room, having to worry about what’s going on with your family. We just want to use our platform in whatever way we can to make a difference.”

#As with last year’s event, the roster for this year’s event will be divided into teams headlined by Fox and Isaacs, competing for their respective charitable organisations.

#Following the team format, the top four individual hitters from each team will advance to see who will be crowned the Bahamian home run king.

#“We realise the funds were thin this year because of Hurricane Dorian and we understand. We’re just thankful to REV for sticking with us and all the sponsors that have been with us since year one, and even guys that came on board with us this year just for allocating some money for us. We try to do this every year but without you guys, we cannot pull this off. This is a big event that a lot of people in minor league baseball look forward to and we can’t stress enough how much this event is getting,” Fox said. “We look forward to building this event bigger and better every year. This is all about you people and once you guys have a great time that’s all we care about.”

#Team Isaacs is the defending team champion.

#Individually, two time defending champion Bo Bichette of the Toronto Blue Jays will be back and headlines the list of visiting players. Approximately 20 Bahamian minor league prospects will also participate, including several first time participants that both Isaacs and Fox expect to make an impact.

#“The Number 1 prospect is probably Bo Bichette, that’s a no brainer,” Fox said. “But Ian Lewis is a sleeper pick. He’s a switch hitting infielder in the Marlins organisation. I feel like maybe Todd will overlook him and I can grab him and he can put us over the top.”

#Isaacs added: “Guys like Kristian Robinson, Jazz Chisholm, Will Benson, Shed Long, those are the guys I’m aiming for. Lucius picked some guys that he thought would put him over the edge last year and it didn’t work out for him. My sleeper picks would be James Rolle and Zion Bannister, those are two new guys that I think will surprise a lot of people.”

#Robinson, the No.2 prospect in the Arizona Diamondbacks organisation, is taking a business-like approach to this year’s event and predicts that this will be the year a Bahamian wins it all.

#“Almost everyday when I clock in to work I get a question about the derby and it kind of catches me off guard. I always get the question, what’s going on with it, what it’s about, so the interest in the baseball world is definitely there,” he said.

#“I saw Bo last year in round one and it’s kind of personal for me now. I’m trying to bring some seriousness to it and I feel like Bahamians have something to prove this year and I know I’m coming locked and loaded and I plan to win.

#“My mentality has changed a lot this year and I plan to win. On January 5, I’ll start to worry about what I have to do for the Diamondbacks, but until then my focus is on winning the derby.”

#In addition to the Home Run Derby, the participating players will host a clinic for aspiring student athletes at the Atlantis resort in Paradise Harbour on January 3.

#“We kickoff the weekend with a kid’s camp and will be partnering with the MLB Play Ball initiative. That is the branch of MLB that hosts all their kids camp around the world and this will be their first time coming down to the Bahamas,” Isaacs said.

#“Through Charles Johnson we made contact with the Play Ball initiative. He’s played in the major leagues for a long time so a lot of the relationships with people throughout baseball. When they saw the derby, they saw the kids camp and they were blown away by what we were doing. They are bringing boxes and boxes of stuff to give away to the kids.”

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

#“It is very important. I remember when I was 11-12 I would go out to Freedom Farm and the highlight of my day was training with Albert Cartwright when he was in the minor leagues. Every time he came into town I just was so excited to hit with him and take ground balls with him and now that I’m in this position I feel like it’s my duty to reach kids, encourage them and give them tips that I didn’t know at that age,” Fox said.

#“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.”

#Melissa Colebrook, marketing manager for REV, said the company continues to serve as title sponsor for the event because their vision of youth development aligns with that of the young baseball pros.

#“REV is so proud to announce that we remain title sponsor. We have a long-standing relationship with the baseball community with our extensive coverage of the sport over the years on our network,” she said.

#“Todd and Lucius’ vision of supporting our Bahamian community, but more importantly showcasing the successes of our Bahamian young men at a time when we most need this to be showcased, is something that both REV and Aliv fully support.”

#The derby will be broadcast live on OURTV.

#“It’s a great privilege to partner once again with the exciting team to do this event,” said Alexia Coakley, media operations manager at OURTV.

#“We are three years in and we have been presenting the event on local TV in The Bahamas and we are able to broadcast it to The Bahamas and through social media to the world.

#“It is a delight as always to see how the talents develop over the years.

#“I always take every opportunity to say that OURTV was around when these guys were tee-ball players.”

Monday, January 7, 2019

#By RENALDO DORSETT

#Tribune Sports Reporter

#rdorsett@tribunemedia.net

#THE Don’t Blink Home Run Derby in Paradise weekend featured a kids’ clinic for aspiring players. Scores of participants turned out to the field at the Atlantis resort on Paradise Island on Friday, featuring players aged seven and older.

#Event organisers Todd Isaacs Jr and Lucius Fox Jr were joined by other local minor leaguers, including Warren Saunders (New York Mets), Larry Alcime Jr (Pittsburgh Pirates), Anfernee Seymour (Miami Marlins), Chavez Young (Toronto Blue Jays), Trent Deveaux (Los Angeles Angels), D’Shawn Knowles (Los Angeles Angels), D’Vaughn Knowles (New York Yankees), Orveo Saint (Milwaukee Brewers), Kristian Robinson (Arizona Diamondbacks), Jazz Chisholm (Arizona Diamondbacks), Dominic Collie (Arizona Diamondbacks), Keithron Moss (Texas Rangers), Reshard Munroe (Cincinnati Reds), Courtney Smith (Texas Rangers) and Chavez Fernander (Detroit Tigers).

#International prospects included major leaguers – Lewis Brinson (Miami Marlins) and Touki Toussaint, home run derby champion Bo Bichette (Toronto Blue Jays), Triston McKenzie (Cleveland Indians), Shed Long (Cincinnati Reds), Nolan Jones (Cleveland Indians), Nate Lowe (Tampa Bay Rays), Will Benson (Cleveland Indians), Josh Lowe (Tampa Bay Rays), Monte Harrison (Miami Marlins), and Tyler Frank (Tampa Bay Rays).

#“We always want to make sure we do something for the kids, last year we had the camp earlier in December, but with the growing number of participants in the derby, our friends from the US and different islands in the Bahamas, we just wanted to make an entire weekend event.

#“We’re excited about the turnout, we’re excited about the future of baseball in the Bahamas. We will just keep pushing and breaking down barriers,” Fox said.

#“It’s a blessing, since we were kids we looked up to major leaguers, but actually having major leaguers for the kids now is amazing. They have people they can replicate their game. They see them on YouTube, they watch them on TV but to actually have them face to face and be able to learn from them is a blessing.”

#Isaacs said the event gave the players an opportunity to give back to the community and interact with the young group of players. “This will plant seeds that they will remember for the rest of their lives, one day they will be in our position doing this for the next generation,” Isaacs said.

#“We have some guys that Lucius and I looked up to when we were in high school. Lewis Brinson was one of the first people to introduce us to what that path to bro ball was about and for the first time we learned about seeing pro scouts at a high school game, so to have him a part of the event is special to us so he was a guy that we looked up to and look up to. Baseball is going to happen in the Bahamas in a big way in a few years, the number of pro players in the minors and majors is going to be incredible.”

#Clinic participants were drilled at various skill positions, including hitting, fielding, pitching and baserunning.

#The group of players considered hosting the events as a collective that helps each other as a support system both on and off the field with the goal of Bahamian baseball development in mind.

#“This game is not something that will come easy because they regard most Bahamian players as something very new or fresh. We have to keep the pedal to the floor and keep going. We all look out for each other, we all help each other and it goes a long way over the course of the season and the numbers will continue to grow over the course of a number of years,” Isaacs said, It’s a blessing to be able to do this. Having a good support system is important, battling through injuries, battling through times where it was going to happwn. It takes a lot of patience to get to where we are at. It takes time, it takes a lot of learning experiences to get to the point of success.”

#Fox credited the growth of local leagues and the recent success of international signees for the continued expansion of the game.

#“The international signing period played a big role in how the game of baseball is viewed at home and seeing how quick lives are changing. Many 16-year-old kids are getting the opportunity of lifetime. Before, we had to go to high school or colleges in the US to have scouts look at them, and now they’re looking directly to the Bahamas for talent, and we do have so much talent. There were so many great players back in the day that didn’t have the opportunity so we’re thankful. We have to cultivate that talent.”

Thursday, January 2, 2020

#By RENALDO DORSETT

#Tribune Sports Reporter

#rdorsett@tribunemedia.net

#THE rosters are set for both teams as the country’s top pro baseball prospects prepare to host a showcase of local and international talent, vying for the title of the Bahamian Home Run Derby King.

#The third edition of the Don’t Blink/Charles Johnson Foundation Home Run Derby, powered by REV, takes place noon on January 4 at Montagu Bay foreshore, featuring approximately 30 participants in the unique showcase.

#Todd Isaacs Jr (Colorado Rockies organisation) and Lucius Fox Jr (Tampa Bay Rays organisation) selected their respective teams via their draft selection show to divide the teams that will compete for their respective charitable organisations.

#Following the team format, the top four individual hitters from each team will advance to see who will be the individual winner.

#Team Isaacs looks to repeat as defending champions headlined by major leaguer Shed Long of the Seattle Mariners.

#Local product Jazz Chisholm, the top home run hitter of all Bahamian players this past season, was also drafted to Team Issacs along with Trent Deveaux (Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim), Anfernee Seymour (free agent) and several first year participants – Zion Bannister (Texas Rangers), James Rolle (Baltimore Orioles), Everette Cooper (Houston Astros), Dax Stubbs (Baltimore Orioles) and D’Vonn Mackey (Oakland Athletics).

#Other visiting hitters drafted to Team Isaacs include Will Benson (Cleveland Indians), Jermiah Jackson (Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim), Christian Koss (Colorado Rockies), Monte Harrison (Miami Marlins) and Jet Johnson (Cleveland Indians).

#Tom Fox selected a Bahamian player with the first overall pick – Kristian Robinson – the No.2 overall prospect in the Arizona Diamondbacks organisation.

#Other local draft selections included Chavez Young (Toronto Blue Jays), Keithron Moss (Texas Rangers), D’Shawn Knowles (Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim), D’Vaughn Knowles (New York Yankees), Warren Saunders (New York Mets) and first year participant Ian Lewis (Miami Marlins).

#A pair of major leaguers from the Miami Marlins – Isan Diaz and Lewis Brinson – headline the visiting players for Team Fox. Others include Ronnie Dawson (Houston Astros), Nick Gordon (Minnesota Twins), Josh Palacios (Toronto Blue Jays), Braxton Davidson (Atlanta Braves) and Buddy Reed (Oakland Athletics).

#“Don’t Blink weekend is going to be something special. It’s something we are super excited for,” Isaacs said, “This year we are fortunate to be partnering with the Charles Johnson Foundation to help our reach get out to the world. The important thing we loved about his philosophy is that he wants to invest in the youth, invest in the future and that’s the biggest thing for us just giving the young men in society something positive to look up to and something that can change their lives. Baseball is an avenue that allows kids to change their families’ lives as young as 16. We play in front of thousands of people every day but there’s nothing like performing in front of the home crowd.”

#Johnson, had a major league career that spanned 11 years across six franchises, most notably the Miami Marlins. The former World Series champion, two-time All-Star and four-time Gold Glove winner now spearheads a foundation to increase opportunities for youth through the sport.

#Proceeds from the event will benefit the Cancer Society of the Bahamas, the Sister Sister Breast Cancer Support Group and the Hurricane Dorian Relief Effort.

#“In year’s past we have had a theme for the home run derby and this year the theme will be Bahamas Strong. In the aftermath of Hurricane Dorian, we felt it was important not just to help our brothers and sisters that suffer through cancer but also to help the Hurricane Dorian victims as best we can,”Isaacs said, This year the teams will support the Cancer Society of the Bahamas, the Sister Sister

#Breast Cancer Support Group and hurricane relief as the other team. The guys will compete as best as they can to win for their respective charity. All of us were in season with the hurricane hit, and some of these guys are from Freeport. So I couldn’t imagine sitting in the locker room, having to worry about what’s going on with your family. We just want to use our platform in whatever way we can to make a difference.”

#In addition to the Home Run Derby, the participating players will host a clinic at the Atlantis Resort in Paradise Harbour on January 3 for aspiring student athletes.

#“We kickoff the weekend with a kid’s camp and will be partnering with the MLB Play Ball initiative. That is the branch of MLB that hosts all their kids camp around the world and this will be their first time coming down to the Bahamas,” Isaacs said, “Through Charles Johnson we made contact with the Play Ball initiative. He’s played in the Major Leagues for a long time so a lot of the relationships with people throughout baseball. When they saw the derby, they saw the kids camp and they were blown away by what we were doing. They are bringing boxes and boxes of stuff to give away to the kids.”

#Community outreach efforts like the kid’s 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,” Fox said, “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.”