The Bahamas Softball Federation's (BSF) National Round-Robin Tournament concluded this past weekend on the capital island of New Providence.

If one judged only by the teams that won the crowns in the men and women's categories, it would appear that nothing much has changed over the past four-five decades since such as the John S. George, Colina and Batelco teams in New Providence; and the Governor's Harbour Hustlers and Rock Sound Heroes of Eleuthera reigned supreme in the sport nationally.

The Blue Water James Cistern (JC) Jets of Eleuthera captured the men's championship and the Johnson's Lady Truckers of New Providence upstaged all others to capture the women's title.

Indeed, the islands of Eleuthera and New Providence were the trailblazers in a sports culture of excellence that saw The Bahamas' men and women rise in the world to No. 3 rankings during the 1970s.

Grand Bahama followed the pacesetting islands in the trend of superb national play. Today, Andros and Abaco are making strong claims for entry into the softball power group of The Bahamas, joining Eleuthera, New Providence and Grand Bahama.

Of course during the heyday of national softball in the country, administrative luminaries such as Churchill Tener-Knowles, Michael Moss, Stephen "Garbo" Coakley, Leon "Apache" Knowles, Godfrey "Gully" Burnside, Bobby "Baylor" Fernander, Neko Grant and Greg Christie demanded high caliber performances of their teams, collectively, and players, individually.

There was a great reservoir of pitchers. The names are legendary to this day, nationally as well as internationally. The list of super hurlers included Foster Bethel, Clive Curry, Glen "The Master" Griffin, the versatile Douggie Smith, Charlie Mortimer, Shad Rolle, Linda Ford, Richard "The Lion Heart" Johnson, Cypriana McKinney and Ernestine "Big Horse" Butler.

It was a time of plenty in Bahamian softball. I speak in particular of the decades of the 1960s and the 1970s. In the most recent decades, the game in this country paled in comparison to a glorious yesteryear.

In recent times, with BSF Secretary General Daphne McKinney, overlapping administrations, the sport struggled but the excitement is coming back. The infusion of more islands with teams capable of winning it all, has added to the growing softball enthusiasm in the land.

This is a grand time for softball administrators and coaches of the ilk of the aforementioned to take charge and ensure a revitalization of the game. The nucleus of player potential is in place for sure. National participation is commendable. They are playing softball at an appreciable level in most of the inhabited islands of The Bahamas.

This past weekend, while the Blue Water JC Jets, won on the men's side of the tournament, the Five Star AG & Turf Bulldogs of Abaco placed second; followed by the New Providence C&S Hitmen.

Among the women teams, finishing in second behind the Lady Tuckers were Folley's Girls of Grand Bahama with Andros' Sagoma Navigators taking third.

The variety of national flavors is certainly praiseworthy in softball. The Bahamas Softball Federation has a product that looks capable of advancing and recapturing the glory of decades gone by.

Tener-Knowles, Kingsley Bethel, Burkett Dorsett, Godfrey Burnside and I often reminisce about what used to be in Bahamian softball. Perhaps, if they and others from the mighty softball era in the country are called upon for advice, once in a while, the national program could be better off.

Are those in control of the game today, able to rise to the occasion and at least attain parity with the fine potential at their disposal?

That's a question to be answered in the future.

(To respond to this column, kindly contact Fred Sturrup at sturrup1504@gmail.com)

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