Work on the new Andre Rodgers National Baseball Staduim is set to begin on the Emancipation Day holiday, Monday August 1st. A $21 million contract was signed between the Government of The Bahamas and Woslee Construction Bahamas for the realization of the facility that is expected to compare favorably to any major league development in this region.
The long awaited Andre Rodgers National Baseball Stadium is finally about to take shape.
Ever since the original edifice was demolished 10 years ago, there has been talk and promise of a new national facility for the long-suffering sporting discipline of baseball in the country. Now that structure is about to come to fruition.
According to officials yesterday, construction of the new facility will commence on Emancipation Day, August 1. A $21 million contract was signed between the Government of The Bahamas and Woslee Construction Bahamas for the realization of the facility that is expected to compare favorably to any major league development in this region.
Michael Foster is the architect of the complex, the National Sports Authority will manage the affairs and day-to-day running of the stadium as they do with all national facilities, and the Bahamas Baseball Federation (BBF) will be the primary tenant.
"I think everyone in the baseball community is very excited to see the entire complex being formed before our eyes," said Teddy Sweeting, president of the BBF.
"This really shows us where we are headed. The future for baseball looks good in the country. This is truly an awesome day for the sport of baseball in the country. A lot of our baseball players are now looking forward to coming home and playing. When we started the re-development of baseball about 15 years ago, the youth division was very weak. Now, we have a very strong youth baseball program and it only could get better."
The construction of the new Andre Rodgers National Baseball Stadium has spanned a decade and three central administrations as there was a number of discrepancies that halted the progress. Now, all appear to be on one accord.
"We've agitated with previous administrations to get this done, and we appreciate that this one has seen fit to make this a reality," said Sweeting.
"We try not to think about the past. With regard to construction, we want the country to understand that we made a tough decision to take a step back and look at what was happening, and continue with the re-development of the sport. It's just a part of the growing pains.
"When the stadium is done and complete, we look forward to the return of a very vibrant senior program and raise the level of baseball in the country so that scouts could come back and afford opportunities for our young men. It is bittersweet because of the time it took to construct, but it's more so sweet because it is actually coming to fruition."
The new state-of-the-art complex will feature a main Major League Baseball (MLB) sized and approved stadium that will seat up to 4,000 fans, and include international standard dugouts and the latest technology in digital scoreboards and sound system. Pre fabricated spectator stands are ready to be shipped from the United States to The Bahamas, and auxiliary fields are expected to be constructed to complement the main stadium.
The new complex will be located opposite the Government High School (GHS) at the southern entrance to the national sports complex.
In addition to motivating and inspiring young Bahamian baseball players to excel, the state-of-the-art complex is expected to attract college and university teams, and ultimately professional baseball squads to utilize the stadium for off-season training and pre- and post-season tournaments.
"We believe this added dimension to the national sporting facilities will position The Bahamas to become a primary location for sports tourism," said Minister of Youth, Sports and Culture Dr. Daniel Johnson.
While highlighting the significance of the development of the new baseball stadium, Minister Johnson indicated that this comes at a time when the baseball community has finally overcome its internal challenges.
"My ministry has been at the forefront of the efforts to settle the dispute between the Bahamas Baseball Association (BBA) and the Bahamas Baseball Federation (BBF). We facilitated discussions with the BBA prior to the passing of former BBA President, the late James 'Jim' Wood and the leadership of the BBF to finally resolve the issues in the interest of the national development of the sport," said the minister.
"We are now moving resolutely to ensure that all young Bahamians interested in baseball have the opportunity to not only participate in the established youth leagues throughout the country, but to have an opportunity to continue their careers if they choose to pursue opportunities for a professional career in the sport. We must give our young men and women in this country every opportunity to excel and become engaged in activities that will lead to the creation of positive, contributing citizens," he added.
As it stands now, more than 15 young Bahamian men are currently playing baseball in the minor league system in the United States, and countless others are enrolled in American high schools, colleges and universities playing for their respective teams.
Sheldon Longley, Guardian Sports Editor
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