Nassau, Bahamas - For centuries, nations have known that if they nurture the talents of children while they are young, it significantly increases their chance of success.  This is the formula that Max D Sports Academy is using to create clear paths to success for young, aspiring professional baseball players inThe Bahamas. 

Max D Sports Academy opened its doors this September to 21 young aspiring baseball players whose level of skill and talent have resulted in them being recommended to attend as the inaugural class of the academy.  The students, some of whom are on scholarship, were playing in the Junior Baseball League of Nassau (JBLN) where their talents were recognized.  These students, ages 11 to 17, attend school from 7am to 12 noon, and then attend baseball training session after lunch until 5pm.  They do not have to do homework, but they must complete all class assignments.

Max D has teamed up with the Leadership School and Natasha Brown's Ultimate Fitness and Wellness Studio to provide a facility (located in the old Tropical Shipping building, East Bay St) that provides an holistic approach to training and education for young athletes.  The Leadership Academy, led by Gloria Sawyer, has immersed the athletes into its program for half-days, but caters to the specific needs of many other students attending the school.  Ultimate Fitness & Wellness also operates its gymnasium, boot camp, aerobics and many other programs for its clients in the evenings.    But the three come together during the day to bring the Max D mandate to fruition - education, deep immersion into baseball, and proper body fitness.

Four young Bahamian men who each achieved and are achieving Bahamian baseball history in their own right came together to form Max D Sports Academy, not waiting until their golden years to give back to young people, but rather pass on as much skills as possible on a daily basis. 

Gregory Burrows Jr teamed up with three other Bahamian baseball stars to create Max D.  Burrows is a former professional Independent baseball player in Utah and Chicago, and played in high school and college baseball.  He has been a member of Freedom Farm Baseball League for 25 years, and has been coaching for over 15 years (he started at age 14).  Freedom Farm travelled throughout the United States competing.  

"We came together and we realized that our kids weren't reaching their full potential in baseball and to create a schedule where our kids could get more reps, stay in the field, and play baseball longer," said Burrows.  "So we partnered with a school that would allow us to have the kids in school from 7am to 12, and working out from 1pm to 5pm every day."  They already have two "heavy prospects" out of their 2015 graduating class.

Gerron Sands, is also a Max D Trainer and Director.  He attended St. Anne's High School before going off to Florida to Attend American Heritage High School and play baseball.  He went on to play at Palm Beach Community College, then Nova Southeastern University, before playing Independent pro baseball in Utah for two years before returning home.

Sean Albury, presently pitching for the Milwaukee Brewers, is presently on off-season and his home lending daily assistance to the aspiring ballers, and intends to do so every off season, as one of the Directors.  He was drafted by the Brewers from Nova Southeastern University.

Antoine Richardson is also a Director.  He is a major leaguer, formerly with the Atlanta Braves, now playing with the Baltimore Orioles.  He will join the coaching staff in his off seasons. 

Minister of Youth, Sports & Culture Dr. Daniel Johnson invited fellow Cabinet Colleagues on his tour of the Max D sports educational facility.  Deputy Prime Minister, Phillip Brave Davis, Minister of Education Jerome Fitzgerald, Minister V Alfred Gray, Senator Greg Burrows, a baseball veteran, and other officials attended the tour.