Swing with Jamaica Little League
Taylor asks corporate Jamaica for help getting to regional tournament
JAMAICA LITTLE League Baseball and Softball (JLBS) district administrator Leon Taylor says his organisation is targeting US$15,000 (J$2,319,352.48) from corporate sponsors to assist participation in the Caribbean Regional Little League Baseball tournament in Puerto Rico next month.
Fourteen players, ages 13-16, are expected to be a part of the 20-person delegation for the tournament which runs from June 23-28 with a budget estimated at US$17,000 (J$2,631,097.94). The team is comprised of players from the St Andrew Central and Yallahs Little League systems.
While acknowledging the challenges of getting sponsorship for a sport that is still in its infancy, Taylor says that he is optimistic that they can get the US$15,000 of US$17,000 needed from the private sector to fund their endeavour.
“We have approached corporate Jamaica. But with baseball being a non-traditional sport, we are finding it difficult to garner support. But we are hopeful that they would come on board for this endeavour,” Taylor told The Gleaner.
In addition to the private sector, Taylor said that JLBS has also had talks with the Ministry of Sport and the Sports Development Foundation (SDF) for assistance as its members believe that the sport’s new status plays a factor in getting the required support.
“I’m depending largely on the fact that Jamaica Little League baseball is now recognised by the SDF and the Ministry of Sport. We have requested funding from them at least to help to pay the airfare for these children. And it seems as though it is heading in the right direction,” Taylor said.
It is the support that he hopes will help in the sport’s local return after the hiatus caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. Taylor says that he feels the team has the ability to make a competitive showing this year, with plans to have this group be the core of the national youth programme.
“I think we are going to be competitive. I think baseball is a sleeping giant because I am looking at this team through a scout’s eye and I have hopes for at least three or four of these boys because they are talented,” Taylor said. “This team I think is going to be competitive to the point that I think this team will form the nucleus of a national under-16 programme when they return from Puerto Rico.”