Sweeting says he welcomes Truckers with open arms

By PERRY SCAVELLA

NG Sports Reporter

Although the defending-champion TBS Truckers won't be playing baseball anytime soon, New Providence Amateur Baseball League president Theodore "Teddy" Sweeting said Wednesday that the league will still move on.

Sweeting said the league will celebrate its 10th year of providing baseball in New Providence when it begins its 2003 season on Saturday, March 29, 2003.

During the official opening ceremonies, 26 people are expected to be honoured for their contributions to baseball and there will be an opening game between last year's runners-up, the Dudley Panthers, and the Del Sol Sharks.

"It is an extreme joy and excitement to have seen the league grown to this point and we are able to appreciate many individuals who have been a part of this league. For me personally, it's a joy to see that we are continuing the process and growth of baseball and that's what it is all about," he said.

Individuals to be honoured at the opening ceremony are: Jeff Williams, Andy Ford, Jeff Francis, Keith Ford, Craig Kemp, Theodore Sweeting, Jeannie Scavella, Dillon Bethel, Loretta Maycock, Greg Burrows, Tommy Stubbs, Danny Stubbs, Frankie Sweeting Sr., Stephen Beneby, Ed Armbrister, Lionel Ferguson, Wayde Wallace, Gordon Rodland, Dion Forsythe, Vince Rolle, Nat Butler, Billy Stevenson, Kevin Culmer, Bertie Murray Jr., Terran Rodgers and Vady Turnquest.

The Truckers are the defending champions but because the NPABL decided to join the newly formed Bahamas Baseball Federation, not recognised by the Bahamas Olympic Association, the team is not playing this season. However, Sweeting said the Truckers are still welcome to be a part of the league.

"They (Truckers) still have time; we don't start until Saturday. They would be welcomed with open arms," he said. "I have no personal grudges, I have no desire to see anybody who wants to play baseball not play. If they want to come back before the league starts on Saturday and they still would like to still be a part, we would except them open-heartedly."

Sweeting said that should the Truckers seek to return after the season starts, an executive counsel would decide whether or not they be allowed to play.

Last season seven teams were registered with the NPABL, but so far this year there are only five, the two teams in the opening game and the Imperial 23/7, Solomon Rookies, and the Dorsey Park Boys. Team Subway also will not be apart of the league because most of its players are studying abroad. The remaining players are expected to be reshuffled into other league teams.

The NPABL expects to host a Baseball International team from the United States on May 8. The visiting team is expected to assist in supplying the league with needed baseball equipment to help in the further development of baseball here. Also, the BBF and the NPABL is expected to send a national team to the Bursh Bash Tournament in Florida, May 22-27.

In addition, the league will host its All-Star Weekend in honour of the late Peter Bethel on June 27 and a league fund-raiser July 19.

Caption: BASEBALL AGAIN - NBAB president Theodore Sweeting, pictured, answers questions from the press during a press conference Wednesday to announce the start of their 2003 season. Sweeting said the league will celebrate its 10th year of providing baseball in New Providence when it begins its 2003 season on Saturday, March 29, 2003.

Posted Thursday March 27, 2003