Published On:Thursday, September 02, 2010

By RENALDO DORSETT

Sports Reporter

rdorsett@tibunemedia.net

THE Bahamas Softball Federation has begun the early stages of its new mandate to revamp its programme and to regain recognition as a regional and international powerhouse, beginning with a more advanced and efficient national team selection process.

The BSF is currently hosting open workout sessions for the Men's national softball team, starting last night at 7:30pm at the Bankers Field, Baillou Hills Sporting Complex.

The workout sessions will be under the supervision of head coach Godfrey 'Gully' Burnside and coaches Erin Adderley, Martin 'Pork' Burrows and Leroy Thompson.

Early in the year, the BSF has received a grant from the International Olympic Committee (IOC) to prepare for the VII Pan American Championships for men, and himmediately began making early preparations for the team.

The Pan Am event is set to be held November 19-27 in Guatemala City, Guatemala.

The federation sought to revamp its selection process and has opted not to name an initial workout squad, rather hold open tryouts for all interested players.

Godfrey Burnside, manager of the men's national team, said this team will take on a focus towards a youth movement in the federation.

"We have realised that we must focus on younger players. If we do not bring them into the fold and make them feel welcome, the quality of our national team programme will eventually diminish," he said.

"We will not discard the older players, but they must understand where the focus of the federation is going and younger players will play a pivotal role in this and other national teams."

Burnside, who has served as coach of the men's national team for more than a decade, said the early selection process will aid the team's chemistry as they head into international competition.

"We wanted to name this team as soon as possible for several reasons," he said. "We want to give the team time to gel, time to work out together and become accustomed to each other's games."

The federation conducted a pitching clinic for prospective team members as the first in its line of initiatives for its new selection process.