No way, says baseball association president Jim Wood

By SHAVAUGHN MOSS

NG Sports Reporter

The Bahamas Baseball Federation has been formed at a special conclave to govern baseball in The Bahamas.

On Friday, BBF president Greg Burrows, flanked by four members of his executive committee, presented the minister with responsibility for sports Neville Wisdom with a copy of their constitution.

He said the baseball community took the "bull by the horns" after being directed by the minister's steering committee to take baseball in the direction it ought to go.

Wisdom described the day as "special" and said he hoped it signaled the resolution of a problem for an unacceptably long time.

"I was excited when I heard the progress had advanced to the point where island associations could come to the capital, agree to meet, discuss, debate and agree a constitution and then go about the process of electing officers to manage what is now known as the Bahamas Baseball Federation which is historic,"Wisdom said. "I want to not only encourage these gentlemen, but to encourage every single person that is involved or interested in baseball to now join with the BBF and its effort towards the positive development and promotion of baseball," he said.

Wisdom told the BBF's executives that he had been in written communication with the IBF and that he would communicate to the worldwide governing body on the outcome of the steering committee's suggestions, and apprise them of where they were at this point.

He also told the BBF's executives he would continue to attempt to get the support of the Bahamas Olympic Association because he did not want to disrespect it.

"It is more important, to my way of thinking, to give young people the opportunities they deserve to play baseball than it is to be constantly in a state of confusion with the people who have played the game, and had their opportunity to participate in sport, who are now in the twilight of their years, and who now deny the opportunity for young people," Wisdom said.

He also told Burrows that the Andre Rodgers Baseball Stadium will be renovated and made playable by the time the New Providence season opens in the summer, but that they would not be there long, as he unveiled plans for a four-field national stadium expected to be constructed just north of the Government High School.

The estimated budget for the new stadium he said had not been determined.

Also elected to serve the initial two-year term by 10 member island associations were vice-presidents Bernard Aranha from Grand Bahama, Jeff Francis, Etienne Farquharson from Inagua and Craig Kemp.

Teddy Sweeting will serve as secretary general, Grand Bahama's Calvin Martin as his assistant. Jeff Albury is the treasurer and Jeannie Scavella his assistant.

Associations the BBF said will play under their banner include the New Providence Baseball League, New Providence Amateur Baseball Association, West Grand Bahama Baseball League, Junior League Baseball of Nassau, Freedom Farm Baseball League, Spanish Wells Baseball League, Long Island Baseball League, Bimini Baseball League, Abaco Baseball League, and Inagua Baseball League.

Burrows said leagues in Exuma and Eleuthera are under formation.

Not present at the announcement was Bahamas Baseball Association president James "Jim" Wood.

Contacted Friday evening, Wood said his BBA is still the governing body for baseball in the country, until the Bahamas Olympic Association and the International Baseball Federation informed him that the BBA was no longer a member of their respective bodies.

It was in 1988 that baseball suffered a split. For many years, there was no organized play in the country, as sides fought to determine which association was the governing body.

As far as Wood is concerned, the BBA is still the governing body for baseball in the country. "Anybody could say they're the governing body," said Wood. "I know they had a meeting last week, but I don't know the outcome of it. You don't need the name federation to govern baseball, federation, association, organization all have the same meaning. It's the one that is the member of the international body and the Olympic Association that matters."

A check of the IBF's website on Friday showed the BBA listed as the recognized body, with Wood listed as president, and his sister Oria, secretary general.

With no island associations playing under the BBA umbrella, Wood said he will continue to do what he has been doing, which is been working with the kids every weekend, as the BBB prepares to mark its 50th year affiliation with the IBF next year.

BOA president Sir Arlington Butler could not be reached Friday.

Bahamas Baseball Association executives

President - Greg Burrows

1st vice-president - Bernard Aranha (Grand Bahama)

2nd vice-president - Jeff Francis

3rd vice-president - Etienne Farquharson (Inagua)

4th vice-president - Craig Kemp

Secretary general - Theodore Sweeting

Assistant secretary - Calvin Martin

Treasurer - Jeff Albury (Grand Bahama)

Assistant treasurer - Jean Scavella

Caption: Staff Photo by Patrick Hanna BASEBALL CONSTITUTION - Newly elected Bahamas Baseball Federation President Greg Burrows presents Minister of Youth, Sports and Culture Neville Wisdom with a copy of their constitution on Friday at the minister office. Also pictured L-R are 2nd vice President Jeff Francis, treasurer Jeff Albury, assistant treasurer Jeannie Scavella and secretary general Theodore Sweeting.

Posted on Sat, Mar. 08, 2003