The Tribune

By BRENT STUBBS

Senior Sports Reporter

bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

FOR the first time, one person will have the chance to serve as the president of both the New Providence Softball Association and the Bahamas Government Departmental Softball Association st the same time.

Dwayne ‘Mann’ Stevens, while serving as the BGDSA president, was elected unopposed on Saturday at the Banker’s Field in the Baillou Hills Sporting Complex as the new NPSA president, replacing Desiree Taylor, who decided not to seek another two-year term in office.

Instead, Taylor will be running on the slate of umpire Thomas Sears, who will be running as president of the Bahamas Softball Federation when their elections are held on Saturday against another slate that is expected to be headed by Jenny Dotson.

On making history as the first president of the two leagues, Stevens said he’s happy to know that softballers have the confidence in him to get the job done and are convinced that he could handle the affairs of both organisations at the same time. He will be joined on the new NPSA executive board by Lyrone Burrows as the first vice president, Richard Bain as second vice president, Andy Percentie as third vice president, Addie Finley as secretary, Loretta Maycock as assistant secretary and Rhonda Kelly as treasurer.

“I think this is a very hard-working team of officers,” Stevens said.

“We have a group of proven officers, who have and are still involved in various leagues and they will have their responsibilities to move the sport forward.

“I will be holding them responsible as we execute our plans. We will go out there and generate the finances to ensure that we can operate so that we will be able to invest in our players and provide them with some incentives for their performances.”

He said these are times when the players need to be encouraged to help re-establish the presence of softball in New Providence, not just in fast-pitch, but slow-pitch as well in his dual capacity as the president.

“I think the mere fact that I tried to step down from the BGDSA, but they were hostile because we were able to get some things done during our time in office,” said Stevens, currently in his second two-year sting as president.

“Prior to the demolition, as the new president, we didn’t wait on the government to get some renovations done. We used our resources and our partners in the various government agencies or departments to build the concession stands and other cosmetic work around the park at the Baillou Hills Sporting Complex.”

Stevens, however, said they were disappointed in the manner that was used in dismantling the fields and surroundings at the Baillou Hills Sporting Complex by the National Sports Authority, headed by Greg Burrows, for the construction of the fields for the upcoming Babe Ruth Caribbean Baseball Tournament in July.

“It’s coming on and we have been assured by the Minister of Sports, Mario Bowleg, that once the tournament is done, those fields will be returned to softball,” Stevens said. “So we’re looking forward to rebuilding the slow-pitch league.”

As for his election to fastpitch, Stevens said with the sport on the decline, he wants to try and revive the sport.

“My members, the civil servants, have assured me that at least for another term, I need to stay on to steer the ship, especially with the new developments in softball,” he said. “Slow-pitch, in particular co-ed, has become the focus of softball around the world.

“I think we are working on getting some things done at the international level, so they want to stick around and see how we can all put it together. I think being involved in the NPSA will enhance my ability to function in both leagues because they can intertwine with each other.

“So what we want to do is we want to bring NPSA fast-pitch back to a higher level and we will concentrate on a developmental programme with the primary focus on pitching and catching. It begins with those two positions, so we don’t want to re-invent the wheel, but we will be focusing on developing those areas.”

Additionally, Stevens said they will be looking at fostering a better working relationship with the various Family Island associations where they get to do some inter-island travel during the season to help develop those islands and provide some financial stimulus on the islands.

Stevens, a former player himself, said the NPSA would also like to provide an experience for the fans when they come out to watch the games.

He said they are looking at starting the government league first at Banker’s Field next month before the NPSA opens up in May. He noted that the Minister of Youth, Sports and Culture Mario Bowleg and his executives were on hand to view the Junkanoo tournament, organised by BES and Tommy Stubbs. He noted all the safety protocols were in place for the fans and they hope to build on that moving forward.