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Guyana Baseball League launched
Trophy Stall’s Ramesh Sunish (left) presents winning trophy to GBL President Robin Singh.
First stage to develop interest says President Singh
The first ever Baseball league in this country was officially launched yesterday when the Guyana Baseball League (GBL) set things in motion for the sport at their ground at Area ‘A’ Turkeyen.
The 11 acre ground, which is leased to the GBL for five years, has been developed into a Baseball Diamond and is the only Baseball ground in Guyana.
“We are trying to get the bat in people’s hands to generate interest in this new sport here and we encourage folks to come in groups and play and have fun,” GBL President Robin Singh told Kaieteur Sport yesterday.
“It’s an unfamiliar sport in Guyana but we are confident that the prize money and novelty will attract people and many of them will stay with the game. We have got Coaches and from January a full time Coach from the Dominican Republic will be brought to live and coach here,” Singh said. Singh, who previously worked with the Guyana Cricket Board (GCB), explained that because there is only one ground, entries for every category for its first annual Softball Home Run Derby “Swinging for the Stars” at ballpark in Turkeyen from September 29, will be limited.
The Derby is being held to introduce the game to Guyana through a fun and action filled format that is easy to play and understand. Competition will be in 12 divisions of age and gender.
A first prize of $1.5 Million is available for the Male Open Division Winner with a similar amount up for grabs for the Female Open Division Winner.
A $300,000 Cash each for M/F Under-18 Winners, $250,000 each for M/F Under- 16 Winners, $200,000 Cash each for M/F Under 13 Winners, $150,000 each for M/F Under 10 Winners and $100,000 each for M/F Under 7 Winners will also be presented by the GBL.
Singh said that the Berbice High School and the Marian Academy have already showed an interest in participating.
The GBL is supported in this venture by Electronic City, their Official equipment supplier and The Trophy Stall, who will provide trophies for all divisions and facilitate entries.
“The goal of the derby is to provide opportunity for all to put a bat in hand and have a swing at winning a hefty purse and beautiful trophy. The GBL wants to create a lifelong memory in hopes that one day these kids will fall in love with the great game of baseball,” Singh said.
He strongly believes in grassroots baseball and the necessity of the sport. “Baseball fans are as important as baseball players.
GBL scouts will be talent spotting during this hit fest and will be working to persuade players to sign onto various little league teams for the 2013 season,” Singh added.
An Entry fee of $1,000 is the cost to play in the Open Divisions, while a Fee of $500 is being charged for age/gender/ Divisions.
A contestant may enter multiple divisions, but can only win prize money in one division while proof of Date of Birth for all age divisions must be presented before prize money is collected.
A Pitching Machine will pitch the softball to the batter.
Registration can be done at Electronic City on Sheriff Street, The Trophy Stall, Bourda Market, in bulk via their website www.baseballguyana.com and at the Ballpark at Turkeyen.
Guyana Olympic Association (GOA), K Juman Yassin, GBL’s Marketing Representative Don Singh and Parliamentarian James Bond, who lives on the East Coast, were among those Present.
All information on fixtures and the rules can be uplifted from the organisers.
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