Coach Patrick Knowles leads a group of youngsters in baseball pitching practice on the grounds of the local YMCA.

The YMCA’s affiliation with the Hall of Fame Baseball League in Florida is doing just that, giving young Grand Bahama athletes greater exposure from playing abroad.  Twenty-three boys traveled to South Florida recently to compete against teams in the 12 and Under, and 14 and Under divisions.

The trip was made possible through membership fees and donations.  The Grand Bahama Port Authority Limited (GBPA) is also major corporate contributor to programs at the local YMCA.

“The roles of organizations such as the ‘Y’ are vital in communities.  With today’s push towards encouraging youngsters to become more physically active, programs offered by the centre, provide multiple avenues for them to develop physically through sport.  Therefore, GBPA is more than happy to lend our support to one of the ‘Y’s’ newest initiatives as it relates to baseball,” stated Mr. Ian Rolle, GBPA-President.

Coach Knowles is optimistic about the baseball academy’s new thrust.  “We are not a baseball or softball league.   As an academy our focus is to transfer knowledge, provide high level training and international exposure opportunities for our members.  Through the YMCA, organizations like GBPA have given us a chance to assist these young people and we are very thankful,” he expressed.

The overall aim of the YMCA’s Baseball Academy is to prepare the young players to be ready to accept opportunities as they become available in high schools, colleges and universities abroad.  The academy has already placed young men in academic boarding schools and universities in the United States as student athletes.

“This is another aspect that we find most encouraging,” stated Rolle.  “Through participation in such programs an even greater avenue is opened up for those who excel to study abroad on athletic scholarships to their betterment.”

The YMCA Baseball Academy’s trip to Florida was termed successful with local Grand Bahama players excelling in base running speed, and hitting in the 14 and Under Division.   Four games were played in each division, with the Grand Bahama players winning one game each per division, bringing their records for the season in both divisions to 1 and 3.

“Our boys are behind in terms of experience and we’re especially concentrating on pitching and hitting.  However, that’s the main purpose. We want the exposure to benefit the kids.  This is a very competitive baseball league which really demands our attention and focus to ensure our teams are prepared and ready to play,” revealed Coach Knowles.

Additional trips to Florida are planned for March 19 and April 23.  “Opportunities such as this are invaluable for their future development.  We have a lot of work to do, but we have a plan, the coaches to assist with this plan and the resources to ensure our boys get exposure to high level training and game experience,” Coach Knowles added.