The Tribune

COMPETITIVE softball returned to action in dramatic fashion Saturday, junkanoo-style, when the initial Softball Panorama Tournament was held at the Bankers Field as many of the finest softball players participated.

If you thought there was a huge rivalry in junkanoo competition on Bay Street during the Christmas holiday season among the junkanoo groups, think again.

Add softball competition to the rivalry list.

Roots and other junkanoo groups expressed disappointment that they were not invited to this inaugural slow-pitch softball event. However, the tournament organisers explained the decision.

“When contacted by McNeil ‘Pan’ Albury of the Saxons for assistance with the tournament of four Saxons team, we suggested inviting at least two other junkanoo groups to create more softball drama for a full day of action,” said Tommy Stubbs, executive director of Bahamas Events & Sports (BES).

Stubbs, who’s also president of New Providence Old Timers Softball Association, said everything worked as planned with over 300 persons attending the games. He said this was ‘Pan’s idea and dream, and BES brought it to life.

“Once we reached out to Genesis Warhawks and Valley Boys, we decided it was not necessary to go any farther. Our BES team knew there might be some negative feedbacks,” Stubbs said. “That’s fine. Now we know how badly other junkanoo groups want to participate in softball action. Their time will come sooner than they think.”

A softball tournament featuring all the other junkanoo groups - including Roots, One Family, Music Makers, Dynasty, Colors, Fancy Dancers, Fox Hill Congos, Redlands Soldier - is already in the planning stages for later this year. An official date will be announced next month.

Albury and his Saxons Bellers team won the Panorama tournament in close matchup, 9-8, over Gary Hanna’s Saxons Frontline as they raised the Bahamas Events & Sports championship trophy yelling “For Juice!” – a tribute to their Saxons fallen member Burton “Gaitor” Saunders who died recently.

Earlier on Saturday, Saxons Bellers also defeated Saxons Frontline, 23-22, which saw tournament most valuable player Richard Bain hit two grand slam home runs in the first inning.

Other scores from Saxons 3-team tournament, reported by Dudley “Bones” Moxey, were Saxons Frontline 27, Saxons Drummers 4; Saxons Bellers 12, Saxons Drummers 8. All games were played over five innings.

Saxons Brass did not enter a team for the tournament, said chief umpire chief Martin “Pork” Burrows, who rotated umpiring all 11 games on the day with Andrew Burrows.

Genesis Warhawks, coached by Jeffery “Big Ticket” Woodside and Vito “Don” Russell, sent a powerful message to the junkanoo community that the Warhawks were ready to show total dominance in softball, even though all their 4-game victories were just exhibitions.

“We wanted so badly to play for the championship, but we understand we were invited to the Saxons tournament,” said Woodside, who hit towering home runs in the games. “We can hardly wait to face all the groups later.”

Genesis won 21-5 over Andy and Eddie Ford’s Valley Boys, 22-18 against Saxons All-Star B-Team and 13-10 over Saxons All- Star A-Team.

The Valley Boys also lost against Saxons All-Star A-Team, 18-3.

Saxons Legends squeezed by A Sure Win Gamers, 14-13, in another exhibition contest. “Thank You for Your Support” plaques were awarded to the Valley Boys, Genesis Warhawks and A Sure Win for participating and offering sponsorship.

“We couldn’t have done this tournament without the contributions of them all,” said Albury. “I’m especially grateful to Tommy Stubbs and his wife, Makeva, and their team at BES for a wonderful job with organising this first tournament.”

The BES-sponsored home run derby got off to a “weak” start when last-minute entry, Sports Minister Mario Bowleg grabbed a pink bat and stepped into the batter’s box to face pitcher Kelsie Johnson, former ZNS sportscaster now at the Ministry of Sports. Bowleg’s longest blast reached mid-field in left.

Leading the cheering crowd for Bowleg to blast one out of the park were former sports minister Dr Danny Johnson, Immigration Minister Keith Bell, Director of Sports Tim Munnings, Nardo Dean from Ministry Tourism Sports Division, and former Senator Jennifer Issacs Dotson.

Dotson is vying for the Bahamas Softball Federation’s presidency this weekend against umpire Thomas Sears, who was in attendance with newly elected president of New Providence Softball Association Dwayne Stevens, also president of Government Departmental Softball Association.

Then eight stronger men - the true softball sluggers - took centre stage in a showdown of power, all to face pitcher Jason Sweeting.

Saxons drummers player Sidney Neely and Saxons frontline player Henry Martin advanced to the semi-finals after belting three home runs over the fence on five swings. They tied again, with one home run each.

In an extra round, Martin led off and hit one HR on three swings. Neely failed in his first swing, then captured the Bahamas Events & Sports Home Run Derby trophy and $100 cash in dramatic style on his last two swings as the lime-coloured balls sailed deep over left field fence.

Five players hit two balls from five swings over the fence – lefty Rudy Fox, Ivan Rolle, Pedro Dean, Trey Gilbert and Moses Johnson, coach of the Bahamas Men’s National Basketball team.

One home run each was hit by Richard Bain and Jeffery “Big Ticket” Woodside.

Kellie Kemp came up empty.