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Tuesday, June 16, 2009

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Freedom Farm has reasons to celebrate By FRED STURRUP ~ NG Associate Editor ~ frederick@nasguard.com: The enthusiasm being spread by the Bahamas Baseball Federation (BBF) is refreshing. The BBF is the essence of baseball vibrancy in the country. It has member clubs and associations in most of the inhabited islands of The Bahamas and the development process is going quite well. From out of the pool of talent the BBF works with, there is the likelihood that in the not too distance future, the count of Bahamians playing professional baseball will be in double figures. Testimony to the dividends resulting from the BBF was the recent 7th Annual Andre Rodgers National Baseball Championships and one of the finest examples of the general template for the game, crafted by the BBF, is the Freedom Farm League. Freedom Farm's teams won four gold medals and one silver medal during the championships. Actually, Freedom Farm is simply continuing its BBF dynasty. The coaches and the those who drive the administration of Freedom Farm (namely President Greg Burrows, Vice President Pat Moss, Secretary Lynn Fox and Treasurer Andrew Thompson) deserve much praise. Collectively with the teams, a standard is being set that might never be equaled. In the seven years of the championships, Freedom Farm teams have won 18 gold medals compared to 15 for all of the teams in the other leagues combined. This is indeed a big accomplishment. It is a high-level trend the Freedom Farm organization is setting. It's all because of hard work, dedication and the comradeship of the Freedom Farm family. This close knit group has a special network, inclusive of annual travel plans geared to maximize the exposure of the players and ongoing clinics to upgrade the level of play. Thus the reason for the separation from the other leagues in the championships. This is not an indictment against the other leagues. No, not in the least. Throughout the BBF system there are many reasons to believe that baseball is on the move and headed back to its former prominence in the region, but the success of Freedom Farm clearly points to a recipe that produces. The formula includes of course, parents and guardians who have a vested interest in the growth of Freedom Farm. They are diligent in ensuring that practice sessions are attended and for the most part, on weekends, they are at the fields of play. This is a significant element that bodes well for the continued smooth flow of the program. Also, when one visits the Freedom Farm fields, the bonding between parents and players and coaches and administrators is evident. This is a societal plus. The baseball program in the nation is the direct beneficiary but our society on the whole gains in a big way. Continued best wishes to the Freedom Farm folks. Monday, June 15,2009