The Tribune

By RENALDO DORSETT

Tribune Sports Reporter

rdorsett@tribunemedia.net

The Freedom Farm Baseball League outlined its plans for a return to the baseball diamond following a nearly year-long hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

One of the largest youth sports programmes in the country, FFBL is scheduled to host a scouting combine and All-Star weekend for its oldest age divisions this weekend, February 13-14, in the league’s complex on Yamacraw Beach Drive.

The weekend will feature the league’s top 50 players ages 13-18 in a showcase of drills and exhibition games for international scouts and coaches.

“The league has recently gotten approval to resume baseball games,” said Clarence McKenzie, the league commissioner, in a press release.

“We have received numerous requests from professional and collegiate organisations to observe our top players, we have decided to start our season with an All-Star Weekend.”

The weekend begins on Saturday with the 13-14 60-yard dash at 9:15am followed by the group’s first of two exhibition games at 10am.

At noon, the 15-18 age group will host their 60-yard dash series, followed by infield and outfield evaluation drills for both divisions at 12:40pm.

Day one concludes with the 15-18 exhibition game.

Day two will feature the second 15-18 game at 10am followed by the final 13-14 game at 1pm.

FFBL has been on hiatus since March 15 due to restrictions set in place to combat the spread of COVID-19.

The League consists of nine divisions ranging from Rookie- T Ball to 15-18, (two softball divisions for junior and senior girls) and features approximately 800 players.

The league has been instrumental in positioning players to go off to college and on to the professional ranks.

They are also very successful on the national stage.

FFBL has formed a hygiene committee that comprises health care professionals who will make recommendations to the board in an effort to adapt to COVID-19 protocols.

In addition, the league also follows major guidelines set in place by the World Baseball Softball Confederation, the Babe Ruth Organisation and others to develop ideas on how to proceed moving forward.

The Bahamas Baseball Association also created a prevention guidelines document to assist a uniform return to competitive play for leagues around the country.

There document features over 100 recommendations outlining prevention and safety methods.

Spectators will not be allowed at the field during the All-Star Weekend.

However, the games will be live-streamed on Facebook via 10th Year Seniors and Freedom Farm Facebook pages.