16 THE FREEPORT NEWS Wednesday, January 2, 2019 SPORTS Elite 9 Baseball closes 2018 out with a bang

17U CHAMPS - The BTC Predators defeated the Piranhas 3-1 in the 17U championship of the Elite 9 Baseball Classic this past Saturday at the EMERA Baseball Park. At center, CEO of the Elite 9 Baseball Tournament Tahanj Thomas, right, presents the championship trophy to coach Keel Pinder, left. (PHOTO: SHAYNE STUBBS) PREDATORS DROP 6-0 LEAD, RALLY BACK TO WIN 18 AND UP CHAMPIONSHIP (From Page 11) “Overall the tournament was really good. We had a lot of see his team hold it together. competitive games and a lot of “I think they did a really good baseball prospects out here. I job. Unfortunately, I came out saw a lot of improvement in the with an injury. I tried to push development of their skills. but I couldn’t finish. But I kept “We had a lot of conversa- talking to the guys to make sure tions with a lot of different peo- they pushed and that’s what they ple. We had an academy out of did, they kept fighting to the end. Canada over here. We also had “They’re (I-Elite) a really good I-Elite Baseball Academy here, group of guys. They have pros- we had scouts from the Cincin- pects, some probably already nati Reds and Pittsburgh Pirates. signed. So, the mindset was just So, there’s a lot of dialogue go- to come out and compete and let ing on. them know this is our house,” he “In the next coming year, concluded. we’re supposed to be having The Predators were also win- academies from the Dominican ners of the 17 and Under (17U) Republic coming in. It will be a Division. They downed the Pira- scouting tournament next year. nhas 3-1 earlier that afternoon. So, this will bring them a lot Keton Wright was credited with more opportunities,” Thomas the win, while Brent Burrows concluded. was tagged with the loss. In the 14U Championship, the Buccaneers outlasted the Lions LEGACY BY DEFAULT - Leg- 8-6. Geovano Russell was the acy Baseball’s 12U team were winning pitcher in that contest, crowned champions of the while Jay Knowles took the loss 12U division of the Elite 9 for the Lions. Baseball Tournament by de- faults. Legacy Baseball’s 10U Legacy Baseball won the 12U team would be named cham- Division by default, while they pions of the 10U division with won the 10U Division 25-1 over a 25-1 win over the Bucca- the Buccaneers. Asher Simms neers. was credited with the win. (PHOTO: SHAYNE STUBBS) CEO of the Elite 9 Baseball Tournament and Minor Leaguer, Tahnaj Thomas, voiced that the second annual tournament was another major success, while an- nouncing what could be in store Continuity of ‘Bahamas Sports’ for the 2019 version later this year. Sports Quote brand should be national focus (Sports Scope is taking a for repeat visitors. In subse- also visited first-time Prime If the second Perry Christie port has Christmas Break. Over the re- quent years, through different Minister Perry Christie and got governance gets extended into a the power mainder of the Christmas Sea- central administrations, tourism his blessing. third term, Dr. Johnson who is to change son, Sports Scope reruns that ministers followed Sir Staf- Lo and behold, general elec- taking a sabbatical from front- remain timely and significant ford’s lead to an appreciable de- tions came, the Christie Gov- line politics, will not be there, “Sthe world. It has the to this moment in time, will gree and the Bahamas Tourism ernment lost power and Wis- but hopefully whoever becomes power to inspire, be published. Beginning on Brand became cemented. dom’s plan, a magnificent one, Minister of Sports recognizes it has the power to Thursday, January 3, current Now, we have in place the was aborted, cancelled I be- the importance to this country columns will resume. Today’s ‘Bahamas Sports’ brand which lieve, without even the slightest of its sports brand. unite people in a way Sports Scope was published is poised to propel this nation, review. The same goes for whoever that little else does. initially on February 20, 2017) as tourism has for these many Much has happened other- gets appointed sports minister, years. wise though in sports, from that if there is a government other It speaks to youth in uring the 1950s when While our organized sports time. Subsequent governments than the present one when May a language they un- Stafford Sands rec- program has, since the 1930s, have paid significant attention of this year closes out. Though derstand. Sport can ognized the value of figured prominently in the to the furtherance of the na- far from perfect and guilty of BahamianD entertainers, led at growth of this nation, the true Sports tional sports profile. The pres- oversights, tardiness and some create hope, where the time by the crooner/calyp- potential of the commodity was ent government however, with unreasonable actions, regarding once there was only so specialist and ultra musician never fully realized. There was Dr. Daniel Johnson at the helm sports, this government has fos- despair. It is more George Symonette, the Baha- always some deterrent or anoth- for its sports focus, made large tered the brand like no other. mas Tourism brand began to er. Scope strides. The Bahamas became a The ‘Bahamas Sports’ brand is powerful than gov- take shape. A case in point is the large by Fred Sturrup sports host nation of note. One entrenched as a marketing item ernments in breaking Sands, the Father of Tourism, body of work done by Neville of the prize events (Common- for the country. down racial barriers. maintained his close connection Wisdom when he was Minister wealth Youth Games) endorsed Therefore, the challenge go- to the Bahamian entertainment of Youth, Sports and Culture. Fame. Wisdom got the planning by this government, is sched- ing forward, after Dr. Johnson It laughs in the face of industry during the early and He got near to consummating to the point whereby a prospec- uled, post general elections of leaves the sports scene, will all types of discrimi- mid 1960s and showcased them an arrangement with the Inter- tive location for the IAAF Hall 2017. The view here is that no be continuity of the ‘Bahamas to the world to attract visitors to national Association of Athlet- of Fame was selected in San- matter what happens at elec- Sports’ brand push. nation.” this country. ic Federations (IAAF) for The dy Port, New Providence, and tions time, continuing the ‘Ba- •To respond to this column, ~ Nelson Mandela He understood that the enter- Bahamas to be the base country toured by then IAAF President hamas Sports’ brand should be kindly contact Fred Sturrup at tainers were largely responsible for that organization’s Hall of Lamine Diack. The IAAF chief a national focus. [email protected].