Month: June 2023

Special OIympians bring home medals

A TIME TO CELEBRATE: Special Olympics Team Bahamas returned home to celebrate yesterday after a great showing at the 2023 Special Olympics World Games in Berlin, Germany.
Photo: Tenajh Sweeting/Tribune Staff

A TIME TO CELEBRATE: Special Olympics Team Bahamas returned home to celebrate yesterday after a great showing at the 2023 Special Olympics World Games in Berlin, Germany. Photo: Tenajh Sweeting/Tribune Staff

As of Wednesday, June 28, 2023

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PAIR OF WINNERS: Austin Green and Bronson Aranha receive silver medals in the bowling doubles at the 2023 Special Olympics World Games in Berlin, Germany. Photo courtesy of Special Olympics Bahamas

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ONE FOR THE BOOKS: Government officials welcomed the Special Olympics team home in celebratory fashion yesterday at the Lynden Pindling International Airport. Photo: Tenajh Sweeting/Tribune Staff

#By TENAJH SWEETING

#Tribune Sports Reporter

#tsweeting@tribunemedia.net

#Team Bahamas’ Special Olympics athletes received a warm celebratory welcome home after amassing four medals at the 2023 Special Olympics Summer World Games in Berlin, Germany.

#The seven athletes were greeted by government officials, including Minister of Youth, Sports and Culture Mario Bowleg and Minister of Social Services and Urban Development Obie Wilchcombe along with a junkanoo group to celebrate their amazing feats.

#The athletes competed at the 2023 World Games in bowling, swimming and track events. They were successful in two out of the three, adding another proud memory to The Bahamas’ sporting year.

#Mr Bowleg complimented the efforts of Team Bahamas’ Special Olympics athletes as they returned from another continent (Europe).

#“Let me first say how proud I am and happy to be here and celebrate with you coming back home to your homeland where you have made all of us proud,” Bowleg said.

#He thanked each of the members of the Special Olympics team, including Caitlin Romer who left Berlin with a silver medal in the 100-metre finals and bronze in the 200m finals.

#Additionally, he congratulated Austin Green and Bronson Aranha, who returned home as silver medallists in the bowling doubles.

#Green also claimed a silver medal in the men’s bowling singles.

#Although the team had been undergoing physical training since October for the June 17-25 Special Olympics World Games, Green said it was a bit difficult to practice when they finally arrived in Berlin. However, he said the experience was excellent because he had never been to Europe but he got a lot of time to relax and enjoy the different cuisines, culture and arts, all while picking up the silver medals for Team Bahamas. Green added that persons that want to follow in his footsteps should believe in best, work hard, and continue to fight hard.

#Aranha, Green’s bowling doubles teammate, said the experience in Berlin was great.

#“It was great I loved the experience meeting new friends in a different part of the world,” he said.

#The silver-medalist added that he learned too much things while at the Special Olympics World Games to put into words but will use them to elevate and get better for when they compete again. He said the competition was also very challenging.

#“It was stiff competition the guys stepped up their game which made myself and my partner step up even more,” Aranha added.

#Members of the Special Olympics Committee thanked the officials and public for their continued support of persons with intellectual disabilities and Team Bahamas’ journey at the 2023 Special Olympics World Games.

#Gilbert Williams, director of the Special Olympics committee, had nothing but appreciation for his team and athletes.

#“Thank you all this movement is certainly a team of persons that are passionate about Special Olympics Bahamas and about special needs. Our coaches they work extremely hard I always say to people these are real athletes and they are coached by real people,” he said.

#He added that when their athletes compete they represent The Bahamas on the same level as everyone else and he thanked everyone for their support of the organization.

#Special Olympics Bahamas has competed at the Special Olympics World Games since 1979.

#Individuals that want to keep up with the organization as a volunteer or supporter can visit the Special Olympics Bahamas Facebook page.

Baseball player Mateo Ferguson on the rise

Coach Andre Payne and Mateo Ferguson, right.

Coach Andre Payne and Mateo Ferguson, right.

As of Wednesday, June 28, 2023

#By BRENT STUBBS

#Senior Sports Reporter

#bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

#MATEO Ferguson, a product of Fox Hill who got started playing baseball at the age of 12, is still relishing the fact that his decision not to go to the professional ranks has paid off with his success as a member of the Florida Memorial University Lions,

#The Lions, which featured two other Bahamians, were crowned as the Black College World Series champions on May 13 at the Alabama’s Riverwalk Stadium in Montgomery, Alabama.

#Playing with second baseman Pheron Saunders and pitcher Aaron Knowles, the Bahamian connection helped the Lions to secure a one-run win over Albany State University in the Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) championship series for the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division II colleges. “I decided to take the college route and every college that I’ve been to, I’ve had a full ride on athletic scholarships,” Ferguson said. “I started at Darsbury College and now I’m at FMU where I will be getting a championship ring.”

#Ferguson, a transferred pitcher on the team, admitted that they got off to a rocky start as he adjusted to the new coach and players. But it wasn’t how they got started, but how they finished.

#“I did what I had to do in class and on and off the field,” said the 22-year-old junior, studying business as his major.

#“I stayed true to God and to myself and I was able to be the closer for Florida Memorial University as I earned my spot.

#“Like I said, we had a rough start, but we finished in first place. So in my head, that was all that mattered. We got the job done and I’m so glad that I made the decision to go to college.”

#During the season, the 6-feet, 4-inches Ferguson said the Lions stayed together as a team and supported each other. He said they still can’t believe that they clinched the title.

#“It’s unexplainable. This is my first ring. I was just happy to be a part of it,” he stressed. “We fought to get the invitation to the HBC World Series and we didn’t lose a game.

#“We won our NAIA brackett. We won the whole eastern brackett. We did our thing.”

#Ferguson, who got to play on the men’s national team that christened the new Andre Rodgers Baseball Stadium during the COCABA Tournament in December, said he was delighted to be back home for a break as he also spent some time with his family and friends.

#He came home with Andre Payne, one of the coaches at FMU,who noted that he was delighted to be back in the Bahamas, especially when the Bahamas Baseball Association got to stage their National Baseball Championships this weekend at the Andre Rodgers Baseball Stadium.

#“I have two other players playing in the tournament, so it;s good to see them in action with their local peers,” Payne said. “All of these guys, including Mateor, work hard and they do what they have to do. So I’;nm happy to have them on the team.

#“I coached high school in Miami for about 13 years and I had several Bahamian players back then, so I knew what to expect and what they are going to do as far as work ethic. They are doing what they are supposed to do. They’ve passed all expectations of all.”

#Although Ferguson didn’t transfer to FMU until the spring, Payne said they didn’;t get to put in the work during the fall, but he was impressed how well he came around at the end of the year for the Lions.

#He said they have high expectations for him next year just as they do with Saunders and Knowles as they work towards getting into the starting rotation at FMU.

#Ferguson, who is now training in Covington, Louisiana in preparation for the Summer League in Cali, Houston, said he’s looking forward to reuniting with some of his old friends.

#“We all get together in Summer League Baseball and show off our talent in front of the Major League Baseball scouts,” said Ferguson, who one day aspires to become a pro player.

#However, he said he’s excited about returning to FMU where the Lions will get a chance to defend their World Series title next year.

#“The plan for me next year is just to get bigger and stronger,” Ferguson proclaimed. “I want to be more flexible so we can win another ring and even go on and win the Conference ring.”

#Ferguson is the son of Mary and Wellington Ferguson and he has a sister, Whitnety Ferguson, who is a medical doctor and two brothers, Deangelo and Jeremy Ferguson.

#While he’s the only member of his family who played college baseball, Ferguson said he’s excited when he sees so many young people look up to him because of what he has achieved.

#“It’s just good to see the young players playing in this stadium and they are getting the exposure,” he said. “They have their family members and friends watching them like they did when we played in December.

#“So I’m happy. I see them walk by and we stop and talk about their game. It’s so good to see their interest in the game. I think this is a good step for us. Hopefully we will see some of them go on to play college ball and ultimately in the pro ranks.”

#As for Ferguson, he said he has no regrets going to college rather than turning pro.

#“I actually feel this is the best route for me, I think this is a blessing disguise for me,” Ferguson said. “I’m able to get my degree for free and I have something that I can fall back on if anything goes wrong playing the sport.”

#While home, Fergjuson said he got the opportunity to work out with some of the pro players who are back here with.

#“It’s been a lot of training, putting in the hard work,” he insisted. “I have been throwing with Devaughn Knowles, a former player with the New York Yankees organization.

#“Don;t mind all of that. I had some fun as well. I haven;t been home in a while, but it’s been good. I just want to wish all of the local players every success as they look towards their future journeys, whether it’s in high school, college or the pros.”

#Hopefully one day, Ferguson said he will get to team up with some of them on the men;s national team as he’s doing now with his Bahamian teammates at FMU.

#In the meantime, Payne said he’s been so impressed with the facilities at the Andre Rodgers Baseball Stadium, which was much better than the minor league facility they played their championship game in.

#He noted that he can’t wait to get back to the United States to start the conversation to not only get FMU to bring the Lions; team to the Bahamas, but also some of their rivals to get a real home cultural experience.

Legacy Basketball Camp gets underway in Grand Bahama

Participants and instructors of the Legacy Basketball Camp.

Participants and instructors of the Legacy Basketball Camp.

As of Wednesday, June 28, 2023

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Campers getting some tips from coach Robert Yonice.

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Camp director Jay Phillippe assessing campers.

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Coach Robert Yonice watches some of the campers in action.

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Campers following instructions.

#By BRENT STUBBS

#Senior Sports Reporter

#bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

#THE Legacy Basketball Camp got started on Monday at the St George’s Gymnasium in Grand Bahama and coordinator Jay Phillippe was quite impressed with what he saw from the participants.

#The free-for-all camp, which features American coach Robert Yonice, is designed for boys and girls from the ages of five and up and will run through June 30 from 9am to 1pm.

#“We are working on the basic concept of basketball, which is dribbling, shooting and passing,” said Phillippe, a former outstanding basketball player turned coach, who is doing an incredible job with the Sunland Baptist senior boys’ basketball team.

#“We had so many kids who came out. We had over 120 kids coming over and so we had to get some of our local coaches and some of my players who are currently off to school to come out and help out.”

#Phillippe said the whole idea is to provide the basic fundamentals for the participants to learn so that they can become better basketball players.

#“We’ve had so much success coming out of Grand Bahama with Buddy Hield, Jonquel Jones and Yolett McPhee-McCuin, who is doing a fine job coaching US women’s college basketball. This is just another continued step in our growth and development.

#“We have a lot of kids who came out to work on their concept like I mentioned over the past two weeks. So, we feel that we will have some players who are better prepared for the future as a result of their involvement in the camp.”

#Yonice, who hails out of Knoxville, Tennessee, and has been coaching at the division one level for eight years, said he’s back for his second trip to Grand Bahama to help impact some of his knowledge to the participants of the camp.

#“My purpose here is to come down and help these kids learn the fundamentals of basketball,” he pointed out.

#“The game of basketball has helped me and coach Jay and all these other kids who have gone on to travel the world.

#“If you put in the work and you learn how to play the game the right way, you can get that opportunity too. So my job is coming down here and what I hope to accomplish is how do you play the game the right way.”

#If the participants develop an attitude of disciplining themselves, Yonice said it will help a long way in their progress.

#“If you can be disciplined on the field, you can be disciplined in life,” he stated.

#“If you learn how to be disciplined in sports that normally translates into life. As much as we all love to play sports for the rest of our lives, unfortunately that won’t happen.

#“So, you have to learn how to be disciplined, not only for yourself, but for your team-mates.”

#Although the camo was ongoing, it was the first day for Yonice, who was quite impressed with what he saw from the participants.

#“It reminded me of the last time I was here. There are a lot of guys with a lot of athletic talent, who can jump out of the gym and they have a lot of skills,” he said.

#“But like so many other players who left here to go to college, they learned that there’s a lot more to it playing basketball.

#“They had to find out that they need to play better defence, better team defence and they have to play much harder when they play different college players.

#“So, while they may have some success here, they have to realise that they have to do all of the little things to be great.”

#During his time at the camp, Yonice said he hopes to be able to enforce some of the things that the participants would have learnt from Phillippe and a number of the other instructors, who worked with them since the beginning of the camp.

Coach Peter Pratt honoured

FORMER triple jumper turned coach Peter Pratt (white shirt) is flanked by family members, friends and members of the Bahamas Association of Athletic Associations (BAAA), including president, Drumeco Archer. Pratt was presented with a plaque at Christ Community Church with the “First Among Men’’ award.

FORMER triple jumper turned coach Peter Pratt (white shirt) is flanked by family members, friends and members of the Bahamas Association of Athletic Associations (BAAA), including president, Drumeco Archer. Pratt was presented with a plaque at Christ Community Church with the “First Among Men’’ award.

As of Tuesday, June 27, 2023

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Elder Stephen Lindsay, Pastor for Men’s Ministry Deacon Bertram Cartwright, Director of Men’s Ministry, Peter Pratt, honoured as first Bahamian CARIFTA medallist in 1973, as a nation builder by Christ Community Church, Elder Elvin Taylor, Lead Associate Pastor, (from left to right)

#By BRENT STUBBS

#Senior Sports Reporter

#bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

#While he had hoped to be honoured during the hosting of the 50th anniversary of the CARIFTA Games for being the first Bahamian to win a medal, former triple jumper turned coach Peter Pratt said he was glad that his church gave him the recognition.

#With his family and members of the Bahamas Association of Athletic Associations, headed by president Drumeco Archer, Pratt was presented with a plaque at Christ Community Church with the “First Among Men’’ award.

#The presentation was done by a trio of men of the church, including Elder Stephen Lindsay, pastor of the men’s ministry, Deacon Bertram Cartwright, the director of the men’s ministry and Elder Elvin Taylor, lead associate pastor.Also in attendance were Harrison Petty, the founder of the Parents Association of Track and Field Athletes, which assists athletes in getting off to college, triple jumper turned coach Antonio Saunders, a protégé of Pratt and Foster Dorsett, the first vice president of the BAAA.

#“Church is different from the country. The church did what it is supposed to do,” Pratt said.

#“I’m alright with what the church did. I felt I would get it in other places if the country doesn’t do it.”

#In 1973 in Port of Spain, Trinidad & Tobago, Pratt became the first Bahamian to win a medal at the CARIFTA Games, securing the bronze in the men’s triple jump.

#Pratt, a versatile soccer, volleyball, basketball and track and field athlete, attended Mankato State where he was inducted into the Athletic Hall of Fame twice.

#He was an NCAA champion, a three-time All-American and was a 15-time winner of the North Central Conference champion from 1973-1977.

#“I feel good about what I have achieved. A lot of people have recognised me internationally for what I did both locally and internationally,” Pratt stated.

#“I remember when I was in Korea with the Asian Games, the people put me up on the screen and said where I came from. More than half a billion people watched it. That was a plus for me because I know it could never happen in the Bahamas.”

#There’s a saying that a “prophet is not received in his own home” and Pratt, in agreeing to the term, said if he was recognised in the Bahamas for his achievement, then he would no longer be a prophet.

#“I still remain a prophet in my country,” he said. “If something happened, then I would no longer be a prophet.”

#Now that he’s officially retired, Pratt, who started coaching in 1972 when he began teaching at Highbury High, now RM Bailey Secondary High, said he’s looking at embarking on a new venture.

#“I’m helping some young adults to better their craft as jumpers,” said Pratt, who also works along with Petty with the Parents Association. “I’m just relaxing and enjoying the little bit of fruit that I get for my labour.”

#The 68-year-old Pratt, known as the ‘Jumps Coach Specialist,’ has also worked with the Bahamas Association for the Physically Handicapped and Special Olympics Bahamas,

#As a Level V International Amateur Athletic Association’s certified coach, Pratt has conducted a series of coaches’ education lecturing coaches and clinics for the United States of America Track and Field (USATF) and the North American, Central American and Caribbean (NACAC) regions.

#Pratt said he just hopes that other persons who feel they have not been recognised for their accomplishments will not hold any grudges against the powers that be in the country. Instead, he said he hopes they will take it with a grain of salt and wait until their names are called.

#Pratt is married to Mona Pratt and the father of four, Brent Moore (Thiombe) in Dallas, Texas, Rio Pratt (Jennifer) in North Carolina, Kirby Pratt-Thompson in Tampa, Florida and Jamieson Pratt (Chanel), who is in Nassau following in his footsteps as a coach.

Tickets, merchandise for Bahamas Golden Jubilee Games on sale

Tickets, merchandise for Bahamas Golden Jubilee Games on sale

As of Tuesday, June 27, 2023

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#WITH just two weeks left before the opening of the Bahamas Golden Jubilee Games, tickets and merchandise are now officially on sale.

#The Bahamas Golden Jubilee Games is scheduled to be held from July 7-15 with the opening ceremonies on Saturday, July 8.

#These games will host 14 disciplines and tickets are available online at thebahamasgames.org and in person at the Kendal G L Isaacs Gymnasium.

#Clay G Sweeting, Minister for Agriculture, Marine Resources and Family Island Affairs, received the baton on behalf of Eleuthera, home of the Eleuthera Adventurers, as the baton makes its trip from island to island leading up to the opening ceremonies for this 6th Edition Bahamas Golden Jubilee Games.

#The Bahamas Games, established in 1989 under the then Minister of Sports, Minister J Bethell, was the first of five games. The following games occurred in 1991, 1995, 1998 and 2001.

#For this 6th edition of the games, everyone is encouraged to show their national pride by wearing their Bahamian colours during the games or sporting their favourite island team colours or mascots.

#Mario Bowleg, Minister of Youth, Sports and Culture, provided an update on the Bahamas Games last Thursday, stating that over 3,000 athletes were registered and ready to participate.

#According to Minister Bowleg, patrons of this year’s Golden Jubilee Games will be former Prime Minister Perry G Christie, a former track and field national athlete, and Beverly Wallace-Whitfield. Chancellors of the games will include Craig Flowers and Dr William Thompson.

#Bowleg thanked all the staff of the Ministry of Youth, Sports and Culture, the Bahamas Games Secretariat, the sporting federations, executives, volunteers, and both Bahamasair and Western Air, who will be providing air transportation for all of the athletes and officials from across The Bahamas for their continued patronage and support.

#Presently more than 600 volunteers have signed up to assist with the successful execution of the Games.

#According to Bowleg, the Bahamas Games Secretariat and Independence Celebration Secretariat are working together to ensure that there will be no conflict with the events and activities scheduled for our 50th Golden Jubilee Celebrations.\

#All morning sessions beginning at 9 am will be free to all attendees, with the evening sessions starting at 3 pm, and relevant packages are available for purchase at the Kendal G. L. Isaacs National Gymnasium along with merchandise.

#Bahamians are encouraged to support their team of choice and come out and support the upcoming Games.

#The ten teams forming the individual islands or grouping of islands include:

#· Abaco Survivors

#· Andros Chiccharnies

#· Bimini and Berry Islands Marlins

#· Columbus Isles Arawaks (Cat Island, Rum Cay and San Salvador)

#· Eleuthera Adventurers

#· Exuma & Ragged Island Navigators

#· Grand Bahama Lucayans

#· Long Island Sheep Runners

#· MICAL Flamingoes (Mayaguana, Inagua, Crooked Island, Acklins and Long Cay)

#· New Providence Buccaneers

#The upcoming games reflect our national theme for our 50th anniversary of Independence, one of unity and progression as one people, as stated in the Bahamas Golden Jubilee Games’ slogan, “Our Nation, Our Islands, Our Games.”

#The excitement for Bahamas Games 2023 is building, and everyone can participate and learn more about the Games by going to the Bahamas Golden Jubilee Games website: thebahamasgames.org or following, liking and subscribing on social media for Facebook, Twitter and Instagram @thebahamagames or TikTok and YouTube @thebahamasgames.

#Every Tuesday at 6 pm, the public is encouraged to tune into the “Hype Tuesday” show streamed live on the Bahamas Games’ Facebook and YouTube Channels to represent their island and team and show their support for who they feel will win the upcoming Games.

#For more information on how to participate in the games or general information on the Games, persons can call (242) 322-1029/69 or email info@thebahamasgames.org or bahamasgamessecretariat@gmail.com.

Bahamas Baseball Association’s G-Ball Nationals a success

YOUNG baseball players in action over the weekend at Bahamas Baseball Association’s G-Ball National Baseball Championships.        
Photo: Moises Amisial/Tribune Staff

YOUNG baseball players in action over the weekend at Bahamas Baseball Association’s G-Ball National Baseball Championships. Photo: Moises Amisial/Tribune Staff

As of Tuesday, June 27, 2023

#By BRENT STUBBS

#Senior Sports Reporter

#bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

#BAHAMAS Baseball Association secretary general Theodore ‘Teddy’ Sweeting said the G-Ball National Baseball Championships was termed a success over the weekend.

#The BBA hosted the four-day event with games for the younger age groups played at the Baillou Hills Sporting Complex and the older groups in the new Andre Rodgers Baseball Stadium.

#The event came to a close on Sunday with the crowning of three champions from Freedom Farm, two from the Junior Baseball League of Nassau and the other from the Grand Bahama Baseball League.

#“This year’s nationals had everything involved in it.

#“It had excitement, challenges with the weather with our fields and some keenly contested games,” Sweeting said.

#Despite the fact that they had some challenges getting one or two of the four fields at the Baillou Hills Sporting Complex in playable conditions after the rain subsided, Sweeting said they managed to get all of the games completed in time for the teams, who had to travel on Sunday.

#“We want to commend all of our partners who came on board and assisted us in making all of our obligations.

#“And I want to thank Clarence McKenzie and Shane Albury, who served as the tournament directors, and they made sure that everything came off.”

#With the 16-and-under and 20-and-under divisions playing in the new stadium, Sweeting said it was a joy to watch as many of the players got their first taste of the artificial turf and they did a tremendous job as they participated.

#“IT was also good to see how the players were able to interact with each other with their peers, so it was a very successful nationals for us. We had about 32 teams competing in six different age brackets. That’s the most teams we’ve had in the nationals for quite some time.”

#Sweetiing said the BBA, headed by Sam Rodgers, will now sit down and critique the entire episodes and try to work out how best they can move forward in taking the nationals to a high standard for both the players and the spectators to enjoy in the future.

#“We met our goals. I think that was the most exciting thing for us,” he pointed out. “So we look forward to preparing for a lot of things to come this year and the next nationals when we go back to Grand Bahama.”

#Grand Bahama, according to Sweeting is now the home of the nationals nd they only decided to stage this year’s event here, because of the completion of the new stadium.

#It was the second straight year that the tournament was back in New Providence after being hosted here last year, coming out of the Covid-29 pandemic.

#But Sweeting said the executive board have already agreed that they will continue to host the nationals in Grand Bahama where the Grand Bahama baseball community has received them with open arms.

#“We want to move it around and give the two maj0or islands the benefit of hosting the nationals,” Sweeting said. “Ther logistics in Grand Bahama are so easy for us when we host it there and so we just want to share the wealth over there.”

#While they prepare for the nationals next year, Sweeting revealed that the BBA has partnered with Perfect Game and they will be coming to the Bahamas to host an event here this year.

#Additionally, the BBA is preparing for the hosting of the 18-and-under Youth Caribbean Baseball Cup in December and the senior men’s national team will travel to Puerto Rico to compete in the Caribbean Baseball Cup that was staged at the new stadium in December.

#“We just got some exciting news from our governing body as we move forward going into 2024, there is an opportunity for the country to host the COCABA Pan American Games qualifier.

#“There’s a lot of excitement as the doors start to swing open at the new stadium,” Sweeting stated. “There’s a lot 5hat we discussed with the college coaches who were here for our nationals.

#“We will be looking at setting up a college summer baseball program, similar to what they do in the United States where the players, once they have finished their college season, look for programs that will help them to improve their game.”

#Over the next year or two, Sweeting said they are now in consultation with the college coaches to get the program up in running in the Bahamas as they utilize what many consider to be one of the finer baseball facilities in the area.

#“We want to continue to grow this game,” Sweeting said. “This is an exciting time for baseball and so we want everybody to stay tuned and come out and support the events as they unfold.”

#He noted that while only half of the players who play the sport globally get to make it to the show or Major LEague Baseball. For those that don’t, Sweeting said they want to provide an avenue where they can continue to hone their game,

#“The most important thing for our young men is to get that college experience and eventually earn their degree,” he said. “Then if they decide to go professional, to God be the glory.

#“But we have to stress to the parents of these kids that while it’s good to go pro, they can be released if they don’t make the cut and so if they get an education to fall on, they can better strive in life.”

#Not taking anything about going pro because a lot of guys get drafted or sign pro contracts, but when they are released, Sweeting stressed that they need to have something to fall back on and that is why getting an education is so important for these players and their future.

#Sweeting congratulated all of the winners of the nationals. He noted that it was one of the most competitive with some level of parity with the various organizations winning the titles.

#Freedom Farm captured the 8-and-under and the 10-and-under. Grand Bahamas won the 12-and-under, the JBLN took the 14-and-under, while Freedom Farm emerged as the 16-and-under champions and JBLN added the 20-and-under crown to their ledger.

JBLN stun Freedom Farm

As of Monday, June 26, 2023

#By BRENT STUBBS

#Senior Sports Reporter

#bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

#In one of the most dramatic comebacks at this year’s Bahamas Baseball Association’s G-Ball National Baseball Championships, the Junior Baseball League of Nassau stunned Freedom Farm to clinch the 14-and-under divisional title.

#Down 6-0 in the top of the fourth inning with a change in umpires, the JBLN rallied to tie the score at 6-6 and 7-7 before they held on for an 11-10 victory yesterday at the Baillou Hills Sporting Complex.

#Jordan Miller, who played on the infield and ended up on the mound for the save, finished with a 2-for-4 day at the plate with a run batted in and two runs scored as he earned the Most Valuable Player award.

#“We knew we could beat this team. They beat us yesterday (Saturday), but it was by errors, so we knew once we cut down the errors, this team could not beat us,” said JBLN manager Ken Adderley.

#“They were trying to tell us that this nationals is Freedom Farm, but we wanted to tell them it is not so. I used to win the 13-14 division all the time. If they want to name the nationals the Freedom Farm League, then they need to name the 13-14 the Ken Adderley League.”

#Alfred Smith and Anthony Cleare were also 2-for-4 with a run scored and Treveil Roberts was 1-for-2 with two runs scored to help out in the win.

#In a losing effort, Ethan North went 1-for-3 with two RBI and a pair of runs scored.

#While the younger age groups played their games at the Baillou Hills Sporting Complex, the 16-and-under and 20-and-under played at the new Andre Rodgers Baseball Stadium.

#JBLN also got a big game from their 20-and-under team as they brought the curtain down on the four days of competition with a 7-1 win over Freedom Farm under the lights at the stadium.

#Isaacs Fox was a perfect 2-for-2 with a RBI and two runs scored, Joel Miller was 1-for-2 with two runs scored and Norman Bastian was 1-for-3 with a run scored.

#Roberto Lamour scored the lone run for Freedom Farm, who got a 1-for-3 night with a RBI from Frankie Moree. Rivon Saunders was also 1-for-3.

#And in the under-16 division, Freedom Farm roughed up Grand Bahama’s Legacy with an 11-2 rout as Earvin Darville was a perfect 3-for-3 with two RBI and two runs scored.

#Ladanian McKenzie was 2-for-3 with two RBI and a run scored and Tajahari Wilson was 1-for-3 with two RBI and a run scored for Legacy.

#In the 12-and-under division, the Grand Bahama Little League pounded JBLN 11-4 with pitcher Malique Israel helping his own cause for the MVP honours with a 2-for-3 day with two RBI and a run scored,.

#“This team is a great team. They put in the work at least four days a week and they do everything necessary to win,” said GBLL manager Donovan Cox. “We came into the tournament very confident that we would win. We came here with about five or six big arms. I knew that we could go one through 14 and we could get the pitching. I could have started any of the guys and I knew we could win it. This is the first time that we’ve won the divisional title for a long time. Hopefully this is the start of something new for us.”

#Jeremiah Filterman and Kymari Rolle both were 1-for-3 with a run scored apiece to pace the losers.

#The 10-and-under division saw Freedom Farm prevail with a 12-0 whitewashing of Legacy.

#Xavier Petit was a perfect 2-for-2 with three RBI and a pair of runs scored and Isaacs Richardson was 1-for-3 with a RBI and two runs score. Aidon Williams went 1-for-2 in the loss.

#• Here’s a look at the results of games played during the tournament:

#Under-8 Coach Pitch

#division

#Preliminary games played – Freedom Farm def. Grand Bahama Little League 10-0; JBLN def. Legacy Baseball League 10-0; Freedom Farm def. Legacy Baseball League 16-0; JBLN def. Grand Bahama Little League 10-3; Grand Bahama def. Legacy Little League 12-2; Freedom Farm def. JBLN 5-2 and Freedom Farm def. Legacy Baseball League 18-2.

#10-and-under

#Preliminary games played – JBLN def. Grand Bahama Little League 4-2; Legacy Baseball League def. Abaco Youth Baseball League 10-0; Freedom Farm def. Grand Bahama Little League 9-2 Legacy Baseball League def. JBLN 8-3; Freedom Farm Baseball League def. Abaco Youth Baseball League 10-0; Grand Bahama Little League def. Abaco Youth Baseball League 10-0; Freedom Farm Baseball League def. Legacy Baseball League 4-3; JBLN def. Abaco Youth Baseball League 16-1; Grand Bahama Little League and Legacy Baseball League played to 2-2 tie; Freedom Farm Baseball League def. JBLN 5-3;

#12-and-under Division

#Preliminary games played – Freedom Farm Baseball League def. Big Nige Baseball Club 11-1; JBLN def. Abaco Youth Baseball League 22-0; Grand Bahama Little League def. Community Baseball League 14-3; Freedom Farm Baseball League def. Abaco Baseball League 16-2; Community Baseball League def. Big Nige Baseball Club 5-2; Grand Bahama Little League def. JBLN 4-1; Freedom Farm Baseball League def. Community Baseball League 25-4; JBLN def. Big Nige Baseball Club 18-1; Grand Bahama Little League def. Freedom Farm Baseball League 9-3; JBLN def. Community Baseball League 4-0; Grand Bahama Baseball League def, Big Nge Baseball League 16-1.

#14-and-under

#Preliminary games played – JBLN def. Ed Armbrister Baseball League 13-0; Freedom Farm Baseball League def. Long Island Baseball League 17-0; Grand Bahama Baseball League def. Abaco Youth Baseball League 3-0; Freedom Farm Baseball def. Ed Armbrister Baseball League 26-0; JBLN def Grand Bahama Baseball League 15-6; Freedom Farm Baseball League def. Abaco Baseball League 14-0; Grand Bahama Little League def. Long Island Baseball Association 15-1; Freedom Farm Baseball League def. Junior Baseball League of Nassau 5-4; Grand Bahama Little League def. Ed Armbrister Baseball League 6-1; JBLN def. Long Island Baseball League 19-5; Abaco Youth Baseball League def. Ed Armbrister Baseball League 11-4;

#16-and-under Division

#Preliminary games played – Legacy def. JBLN 3-2; Freedom Farm def. Abaco Youth Baseball League 8-1; Ed Armbrister Baseball League def. Big Nige Baseball Club 19-2; JBLN def. Abaco Youth Baseball League 14-1; Legacy Baseball League def. Big Nige Baseball Club 7-1; Freedom Farm Baseball League def. Ed Armbrister Baseball League 10-0; Legacy Baseball League def. Abaco Youth Baseball League 14-5; JBLN def. Big Nige Baseball Club 13-0; Freedom Farm Baseball League def. Legacy Baseball League 8-1; JBLN def. Ed Armbrister Baseball League 15-1; Big Nige Baseball Club and Legacy Baseball League played to 4-4 tie; Legacy Baseball League def. Ed Armbrister Baseball League 5-1; Abaco Youth Baseball League def. Ed Armbrister Baseball League 7-0; Freedom Farm def. JBLN 7-2.

#20-and-under senior league

#Preliminary games played – Freedom Farm def. JBLN 2-1; Ed Armbrister Baseball League def. Freedom Farm Baseball League 5-3; JBLN def. Ed Armbrister Baseball League 2-1; Ed Armbrister Baseball League def. Freedom Farm Baseball League 8-0; JBLN def. Ed Armbrister Baseball League 1-0; Freedom Farm Baseball League def, JBLN 5-1.

Donald Thomas wins high jump at USATA NYC Grand Prix

As of Monday, June 26, 2023

photo

Donald Thomas

#By BRENT STUBBS

#Senior Sports Reporter

#bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

#GRAND Bahamian Donald Thomas is starting to round himself into shape as he looks forward to making another trip for the Bahamas to the season’s premier event at the World Championships.

#Thomas, who just missed attaining the qualifying standard of 2.32 metres for the World Championships in Budapest, Hungary, soared a season’s best of 7-5 1/3 (2.27m) to win the men’s high jump at the USATA NYC Grand Prix.

#The meet held on Saturday at the Ichan Stadium in New York also saw another Bahamian compete in the same event with Shaun Miller Jr coming in tied for fifth with American Darrlly Sullivan Jr at 6-11 (2.11m).

#Miller Jr, the younger brother of Olympic and world champion Shaunae Miller-Uibo, was coming off his NCAA Championship appearance in Austin, Texas, over the weekend of June 7-10 where he represented Ohio State with a tie with four others at 7-1 (2.16m).

#Both Thomas and Miller Jr are expected to highlight the men’s high jump competition at the Bahamas Association of Athletic Associations’ National Championships, scheduled for July 5-7 at the Thomas A Robinson National Stadium before they compete in the sixth Bahamas Games, set for July 6-14. “I felt good. Grateful for the win,” Thomas said. “Was expecting to jump higher. Should be a good result at nationals.”

#Thomas, 38, is the reigning two-time defending champion of the nationals. He has won numerous titles for the Bahamas, including the World Championships in 2007 in Osaka, Japan.

#Miller Jr, 21, is the current North American, Central American and Caribbean (NACAC) Under-23 Championship champion, having won the title in 2021 in San Juan, Costa Rica.

#While the duo were going head-to-head in New York, another Bahamian, Shaleem Hall-Smith took his talent to Canada where he participated in a pair of meets in the men’s 400m hurdles.

#Hall-Smith, 26, placed third in the 10 flights of hurdles over the 400m in 49.75 on Saturday at the Johnny Loaring Classic, formerly known as the Windsor Open at the University of Wondsor’s Alumni Stadium.

#The performanced came three days after he posted a second place finish in a lifetime best of 49.69 at the Royal City Inferno Track & Field Festival at the Alumni Stadium in Guelph behind Jamaica’s Roxroy Cato, who won in 49.55.

#Hall-Smith, a third place finisher at the NACAC Championships last year in Grand Bahama, is chasing 48.70 in order to qualify for his first World Championships. The University of Texas at El Paso (UTEP) is the new kid on the block in the event as the two-time defending national champion.

CAC Games: Mixed results for two-man boxing team in El Salvador

As of Monday, June 26, 2023

photo

LEFT: Carl Hield and his trainer Luisbey Fernando Sanchez. RIGHT: Rashield Williams celebrates beside one of the ring girls. (File photos)

#By BRENT STUBBS

#Senior Sports Reporter

#bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

#AS the XXIV Central American and Caribbean Games got underway over the weekend in San Salvador, El Salvador, there were mixed results from the two-man boxing team.

#The four-yearly games are being staged this year from June 23 to July 8 and the two boxers veteran Carl Hield and professional Rashield Williams got the ball rolling for Team Bahamas.

#Hield, fighting in the medium light or 71 kilogram class, suffered a 5-0 decision to Jhonatan Arboleda of Colombia in the first boxing match for Team Bahamas.

#Hield, 36, just recently represented the Bahamas at the International Boxing Association’s (IBS) World Boxing Championship in Humo Arena in Tashkent, Uzbekistan where he lost a unanimous decision to Boniface Mogunde of Kenya.

#Meanwhile, Williams, who was also scheduled to fight in Uzbekistan, but didn’t make the trip, was successful in his opening match in the men’s 63.5 kg class.

#Williams, 33, easily won 4-1 over Doneel Phillip of Trinidad & Tobago. He fought his second match yesterday, but lost on points to Alvarez Erislandy of Cuba. “I just lost from Cuba on points. He did a good job running, trying not to get hit but unfortunately I lost on points but it was a great fight,” Williams said. “It was difficult to catch but I’m proud of my performance. I did great, especially coming off a pro fight on Saturday and making the weight to fight back to back. I enjoyed every bit of it and the guy from Trinidad came out to fight but unfortunately he couldn’t keep up with the boxing lesson I was putting on him.”

#Despite bowing out in the second round, Willoams said it was a great experience and he gave God all the thanks for making this happen. He also expressed his thanks to the Bahamas Boxing federation and the Bahamas Olympic Committe for afforfing him the oppryunity to be able to represent the country at the games.

#Williams is coming off his second pro victory for the year, having won over Ramon De La Cruz on June 27 after his decision over Walter Raul Saravia on March 28, both at the Alessi Gym Fitness Center in Tampa, Florida.

#The Bahamas, led by chef de mission, also include swimming, judo, athletics, water polo and beach soccer. The full list of players named to Team Bahamas has not been released.

Davis Cup: Bahamas stays in Zone III

Bahamas Davis Cup team, shown from left to right, are captain Marvin Rolle, Denali Nottage, Donte Armbrister and Kevin Major Jr.

Bahamas Davis Cup team, shown from left to right, are captain Marvin Rolle, Denali Nottage, Donte Armbrister and Kevin Major Jr.

As of Monday, June 26, 2023

#By BRENT STUBBS

#Senior Sports Reporter

#bstubbs@tribunemedia,.net

#THEY were not the results that they wanted, but veteran player/captain Marvin Rolle said it was better than being relegated from American Zone III to zone IV (four) in the Davis Cup competition.

#In their relegation playoff match against Panama, Team Bahamas prevailed with a 2-0 sweep over Panama on Saturday at the National Tennis Center in Asuncion, Paraguay to remain in Zone III for 2024.

#Grand Bahamian Denali Nottage, making his debut on the team, secured his second victory in the first match of the day with a 6-1, 6-3 decision over Luis Ching in just 56 minutes.

#And Kevin Major Jr, the team’s top seeded player, pulled off a 6-3, 6-4 victory over Luis Gomez in a little over one hour and 10 minutes to seal the deal for Team Bahamas.

#The doubles match wasn’t contested, although Rolle and Donte Armbrister were all set to go to work against the Panamanian duo of Ching and Chad Valdez as the singles clinched the tie for Team Bahamas. “Denali started off strong. After he easily won the first set, the second set was more challenging.

#“The guy from Panama started to return more balls and made it more competitive,” Rolle said. “Denali was able to hold his own and closed out the match.”

#Rolle noted that he anticipated that Major Jr would have a fight on his hands in the second match.

#“The guy KJ played with was very talented from Panama. He had a big forearm like KJ,” Rolle said.

#“After he won the first set, the second set was on serve. The guys started playing more balls.

#“KJ had to be mentally strong to stay with him. Then finally at 4-4, KJ broke and he was able to close it out.”

#Rolle said they had hoped to be promoted to zone II, but he felt the players all showed their grit and proved that they would not settle with being dropped to zone IV (four).

#“We started off slow, but we finished off strong,” said Rolle of Team Bahamas, who ended up in fourth place in Group B round robin play during the week with a 1-3 win-loss record, winning four of their eight matches played.

#“Donte got his first win as a Davis Cupper. The last time he played, he didn’t win a match,” said Rolle of Armbriater, whom he paired up with in doubles during the tie. “He was able to get two wins this time around.

#“Denali ended up with two wins in singles, so I think that is good for his confidence moving on.

#“KJ had some tough matches all week, but he was able to finish off strong and I am still doing my thing in doubles. We played well in our last two matches.”

#Although they got the job done, Rolle said Team Bahamas will have to be much stronger in terms of player personnel in order to advance out of zone III where the country has played for the past few years.

#“If we can get Justin Roberts back on the team, it would be a plus for us,” said Rolle of Roberts, the top ranked International Tennis Federation player in recent time.

#“Not taking anything away from Donte and Denali, they are learning. But Justin is out there and he’s playing.

#“Although he’s only played one tie for us, his experience would definitely be a plus for us, so we have to figure out a way to get him on the team to help us out.”

#Add a player like Philip Major Jr, who is just as an effective doubles player as himself, Rolle said they can form a formidable team. He said he would also like to see the Newman brothers Spencer and Baker make a comeback to play for the Bahamas again.

#“We definitely have some strong players to play on the team. Nothing against Denali and Donte and the other young players coming up, but we have some more experienced players who understand the game,” Rolle said.

#“We would like to see Donte and Denali get some more college experience and play on the circuit. I think they can be a great asset to the team moving forward as well. But we have some players out there with a lot of experience that we need to get back on the team to help us get out of zone III.”

#The Bahamas Lawn Tennis Association, the governing body for the sport, selected the team based on the players’ performances in the year-ending Giorgio Baldacci Invitational in December and other final trials prior to the team’s trip.

#In recent times, the BLTA also looked at the ITF ranking to select players to the team, in the case of Roberts, whose top ranking enabled him to make the team in 2021 where he ended up with a 2-1 record in singles.