Baseball In Jamaica

For those of you in the US and Canada this might be interesting to know. There is a grassroots effort going on to start Baseball Jamaica and introduce the American past time sport there. Cricket has long been popular in JA but baseball has not although Cuba and many other caribbean nations are quite good at it. Jamaican athletes are world class as has been seen with track and field, soccer, and even Bobsled. As is often the case in Jamaica there is a major lack of funds and equipment available for the kids many of whom play barefooted and use rocks as baseballs. Many of you probably at one time or other had your kids play baseball / softball in Little League, Babe Ruth, High school, college. Perhaps you have old equipment no longer needed. How about when headed to Jamaica next time packing a few items to leave on the island. Old cleats, gloves, balls, anything baseball related would be appreciated by the kids (girls softball too). I will contact my friends that are leading the cause and see if there can be a drop off point in Negril as a clearinghouse for equipment. Stuff that your kids have no longer need of would be greatly appreciated. One man's trash is another man's treasure.

http://baseballjamaica.com/index.html

Here is a link to the non-profit group that is taking donations over the Internet for those who want to contribute money as well.

Peace and Guidance

Great idea. Let us know about the Negril drop point.

I'm waiting for "Cricket America" to start! :)

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Originally Posted by johng

For those of you in the US and Canada this might be interesting to know. There is a grassroots effort going on to start Baseball Jamaica and introduce the American past time sport there. Cricket has long been popular in JA but baseball has not although Cuba and many other caribbean nations are quite good at it. Jamaican athletes are world class as has been seen with track and field, soccer, and even Bobsled. As is often the case in Jamaica there is a major lack of funds and equipment available for the kids many of whom play barefooted and use rocks as baseballs. Many of you probably at one time or other had your kids play baseball / softball in Little League, Babe Ruth, High school, college. Perhaps you have old equipment no longer needed. How about when headed to Jamaica next time packing a few items to leave on the island. Old cleats, gloves, balls, anything baseball related would be appreciated by the kids (girls softball too). I will contact my friends that are leading the cause and see if there can be a drop off point in Negril as a clearinghouse for equipment. Stuff that your kids have no longer need of would be greatly appreciated. One man's trash is another man's treasure.

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Funny this post came up......I was just talking to Kingsley James in April about how I've been trying for the last 20 years to get some interest in baseball in JA, especially MoBay and Negril and there has been very very little interest among the youth. Their parents grasp the concept that this could be a bigtime thing for the youth...but the youth don't seem to care.....its all cricket....all the time...happy to help with MORE donations, though....Probably easier for me to send a barrel of gear...I've been playing or coaching baseball for over forty years....literally a ton of gear in the garage...probably twenty aluminum bats of all sizes....youth gloves...youth catcher gear....I have some contacts with Rawlings...but I just haven't been convinced enough of the demand for baseball in JA to call in those favors, yet. If somebody wants to pay the freight, they can have my 1978 Jugs machine....with tripod it weighs over 200 pounds...just sayin...

mi experience is that Jamaican kids want to play football, cricket, netball and basketball.........
a buddy brought down a baseball glove once and none of the boys wanted it......
hope it takes off in Jamaica........in the Dominican Republic all young boys play baseball........

Cool Runnings, Marko

Hi RockRobster,

I contacted my friend who is charge of starting the baseball program in JA to see if he is interested in your pitching machine, equipment and how the shipping could be paid for. as soon as I hear from him I will let you know. But thanks for the kind gesture!! Is there still a soccer / football field in Negril? There used to be one toward the Hedonism end of the beach near where Cosmo had a little restaurant. Might be interesting to run a clinic in Negril sometime when a few Americans with experience are there at the same time to coordinate. I do think that the current grassroots group is serious about making baseball popular and that with the access to American culture the kids have more than likely been exposed to baseball one way or the other. 90 miles away in Cuba they have the best baseball in the carib, DR, PR all putting out great players. They have even committed to a Baseball Academy based on the European Models in Holland, Italy, Germany that are affiliated with MLB and that are producing players that have started to make it in the majors, in its effort to make BB a mainstream sport universally.

We have some baseball cleats if anyone is interested.We probally have 4 kids pair as of now.We have mi boy and girl playing baseball.So if anyone is intrested in our stuff.Let mi know.Wish it would take of though.But I believe they love there cricket though!!!

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Originally Posted by Weathermon & Mi Lady

I'm waiting for "Cricket America" to start! :)

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FYI http://www.espncricinfo.com/usa/cont...ry/261614.html

In all the history of baseball only 4 Jamaicans have played in the major leagues.

I would assume those four probably moved to the States or Canada at a young age and developed their skills there. Believe it or not there is an effort to start a Jamaican Olympic Ice Hockey Team although I don't believe there is an ice skating rink on the island at the moment. There are many NHL hockey stars that are JA / Canadians that move there as kids. No doubt about the Jamaican athlete and their ability to learn sports not native to the island. That's why Baseball Jamaica looks so promising.

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Originally Posted by johng

FYI http://www.espncricinfo.com/usa/cont...ry/261614.html

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Ok, Cricket in America to really start.

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Originally Posted by Ras Walleye

In all the history of baseball only 4 Jamaicans have played in the major leagues.

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Two had pretty good. long careers: Chili Davis, 19 years and Devon White, 17 years.

Justin Masterson is currently pitching for the resurgent Cleveland Indians and is off to a really good start in his 6th ML season.

Rolando Roomes had a 3 year career with the Cubs, Reds, and Expos in the late 80s.

I remember watching Chili Davis hit towering home runs for the Minnesota Twins. This was long before I ever went to Jamaica so I never made the connection at the time.

Hi RockRobster,

Heard from my guy and he is interested in your pitching machine and any other stuff you can part with. Trying as I write to figure out how to make this happen. Don't know if UPS has a weight limit on International shipments or what the best way about this is. I'll contact you as soon as I have more info.

Regards,
John

John,interested in our baseball cleats also a couple pair of baseball pants?

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Originally Posted by johng

Hi RockRobster,

Heard from my guy and he is interested in your pitching machine and any other stuff you can part with. Trying as I write to figure out how to make this happen. Don't know if UPS has a weight limit on International shipments or what the best way about this is. I'll contact you as soon as I have more info.

Regards,
John

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I think you will find that all the International Shippers (i.e. FedEx, UPS, etc.) will be cost prohibitive in sending any large shipments to Jamaica.

I live in So. Florida and can send 27 CuFt (3' Cubed) to Jamaica for about $200.00 US via cargo freight. Here is a link to show an example.
http://www.shiptojamaica.com/

I am reasonably sure you can find a similar service around where the items currently are stored.

Peace and Guidance

Hi Vince,

Thanks for your reply and yes there is interest in anything that can be collected. I am in touch with my contact at Baseball Jamaica to see how these items can be collected and shipped to Jamaica as it can be on the expensive side to send there and I don't see it as the responsibility of those kind enough to donate equipment and to also pay the freight. Ideally setting up a drop off point in Negril and when you fly next to JA carry the items in checked baggage and drop them in Negril. You got to remember outside the tourist areas Jamaica is really poor and kids down there would give their right arm for cleats and baseball pants. I'll keep you posted.

kool,We just left Ja. on Mothers day:(~We can figure someone going back down and go from there.I'll just keep all our basball stuff in a box.Then we can go from there.We will have gloves too.Left and right gloves to donate as well.Anything our kids grow out of will be yours!!!

Hey Vince,

I'm waiting to hear back from my Baseball Jamaica contacts and probably the easiest scenario is to find a person / establishment in Negril that can be designated as a drop off spot for stuff. Gloves, left or right, cleats despite being beat up, used or new baseballs. Just a few items every trip will add to the experience of a young Jamaican youth that wants to play. These kids have virtually nothing so to have second or third hand stuff to use will be like Christmas for them. Imagine if getting the opportunity to play baseball and the work ethic and teamwork involved gives one kid the hope and drive to succeed in school and life. What more can we hope for?

Sounds good!<keep me informed~Bless