THE PASSION FOR THE GAME CONTINUES TO GROW, THANKS TO THE CURRENT GENERATION OF BAHAMIAN BALLPLAYERS
(EDITOR’S NOTE: I have not communicated on Facebook for the past two days, as I contemplated the way forward out of my serious financial problems. But baseball is my most favourite sport, and when I saw this excellent article posted by my good friend Godfrey Eneas, I had to share it with readers of BAHAMAS CHRONICLE.)
BY CLINTON YATES
NASSAU, Bahamas, January, 24, 2022 — On any given day at Prince George Wharf, thousands of humans ferry in and out on massive cruise ships and superyachts, ready to enjoy the party and island vibes. Farther west along the coast, past the lighthouse and just before Arawak Cay, sits the container port, where everything that comes in and out of the Bahamas is first processed after a journey across the ocean.
Last month on nearby Paradise Beach, there were batted balls flying out into the waters of the Atlantic as part of the fourth annual Don’t Blink Home Run Derby. The island nation’s most underrated export — baseball — was on full display for a week in New Providence, organized by Todd Isaacs Jr. and Lucius Fox, two Bahamian professional players. The week consisted of a kids baseball clinic on a beach infield, a golf tournament with the players and of course the main event.
There was a certain timelessness to the proceedings. Multiple players forgot what day it was throughout the week, which isn’t difficult when gallivanting on a beachside resort between baseball functions. They brought all their friends, too.
Billy Hamilton. Triston McKenzie. Lewis Brinson. Touki Toussaint. Akil Baddoo. Hunter Greene. The winner: MJ Melendez. All these guys know each other through various baseball connections and teammates since they’ve been in high school, so reconvening for revelry in the name of the game they love comes naturally.
“I know this island is called Paradise Island and it lived up to its name. This whole last four days has been just amazing. It’s my first time in the Bahamas,” New York Mets utility player Dominic Smith said that Saturday. “To have this many big league guys and up-and-coming stars out here, giving back to the community, showing the kids how to properly play the game, and just ultimately being there for the kids. It’s something that’s so amazing. And I’m so proud of them for doing it. It’s just, right now, [this is] I don’t want to say a rare time — because at one point in baseball, African American or just minority, Black players, I don’t want to say dominated the league — but close.”
Whether this particular collection of guys is the next wave of superstars is to be seen, but the camaraderie was infectious. This isn’t a corporate shill event. MLB isn’t even involved. It’s a local product that in its first year garnered nearly 400,000 live viewers, which was a real thrill for everyone involved, including local cable outlet REV.
When we think of island countries and their histories on the diamond, the Bahamians are not the first people who come to mind. The Dominican Republic, Curacao and Cuba are well known for baseball, and while Puerto Rico is American territory — it is certainly its own beisbol nation. Things are a little different, however, for the island most known for having water so blue that astronauts can recognize it from space.
Unlike the island nations where Spanish is the primary native tongue, most Bahamians consider themselves Black folks, which explains why most of the non-natives down there are African American themselves.
The baseball history is there, even if in small doses. Andre Rodgers was the first Bahamian to play Major League Baseball. Debuting in 1957, he played in 854 big league games over 11 seasons. Nothing to sniff at, at all.
In 2021, the country’s most popular player is Miami Marlins rookie shortstop Jazz Chisholm. Née: Jasrado, he brings a flair to the game that is obvious as soon as you see him exactly one time. His swag is undeniable, and he’s one of the most popular and exciting young players in the bigs.
See complete article by Clinton Yates at https://theundefeated.com/features/baseball-and-the-bahamas-a-deeper-bond-than-you-may-realize/?addata=espn:frontpage
