Happy 46th Independence Bahamas

Happy 46th Independence Bahamas.

Photo by Mathew Carper, Robinson, Isaacs, and Knowles.

The Game of Baseball in the Bahamas

Some said that the game of baseball started playing in the Islands from as far back as the early 30s. Mostly against visiting US sailor from the warships that docked at local harbors.

As a result, the formation of the Bahamas Baseball Association in August 1954 to start up local baseball. However, by that time Andre Rodgers, a local Softball player. Had already signed to play minor league baseball with the Giants.

Happy 46th independence, 65 years of Baseball

Becoming an Independent Nation on July 10th, 1973, also saw two of our major league players making their big league debut.

Edison Armbrister with Cincinnati Reds and Wenty Ford with the Atlanta Braves. Making them the third and fourth baseball players from the Bahamas to play MLB.

However, twenty-seven players played in the minor leagues of baseball before July 10th, 1973.

After a while, there were very few players from the Island signing to play minor league baseball.

Also in 1986, we saw our first player drafted by the Orioles Ken Adderly, with the last player to sign from the soil in 1997.

In short, no other local player signed from 1986 to 1997 until the Dodgers signed one in 1997 and next player drafted was in 2000.

A SpringBoard to Minor League Baseball.

After the signing of Jaamal Johnson in 1997 by the Dodgers, and the drafting of Angelo Burrows by the Braves in the June 2000 draft.

Hence saw a springboard for our ballplayers to follow their friends whom they grow up playing the game.

Added to the confidence of local players that they could be next was the signing of Antoan Richardson by the Giants in 2005, and Albert Cartwright by the Astros in 2007.

By the way, fifty-three players played professional baseball. And from 1973 to the present Seventeen were drafted, with 15 of 17 signings and two went back to college.

Also, to Summarize from 2014 to present, 33 players played pro ball, Seven drafted, three played in an independent Leagues, and 23 international signings.

We are a Proud Nation

Chisholm, Fox & Seymour. photo by Mathew Carper

Happy 46th Independence Bahamas. We are so proud of our minor league baseball players as a nation. Whom are ambassadors for this great little Country.

Highlighting D’Shawn Knowles and Kristian Robinson who are playing some good baseball. Todd Isaccs Jr in Triple-A is playing at the highest level, D-Backs #1 top prospect Jasrado Chisholm, Ray #10 top prospect Lucius Fox Jr and Anfernee Seymour, are performing at the Double-A level.

We are so Proud of our Six Top Prospects: Six of our sixteen minor league players are Top 30 Prospects. #1 Jasrado Chisholm D-Backs, #5 Kristian Robinson D-Backs, #8 D’Shawn Knowles Angles, #10 Lucius Fox Jr Rays, #14 Trent Deveaux Angels, # 16 Tahnaj Thomas Pirates, and #17 Chavez Young Blue Jays.

Together with, Legends on Deck & Baseball Bahamas. Happy 46th Independence Bahamas!!!

The Bahamas Designed by Dr. Hervis Bain

Jeff Francis

Jeffrey was born on April 29th, 1961, in Nassau, Bahamas to Rejoiner Ann Rolle and Jerome James Francis Etienne. Married to Andrea G. Rolle-Francis, they have two daughters; Janae Latoya Francis, a graduate of Allegany College of Maryland, and Jessica Lee Francis a graduate Potomac State College West Virginia University in Kyser West Virginia. Jeffrey was coaching the sport of baseball from 1980 at the age of 18 years old because he loved the sport as a kid. He started listening to the game over the radio out of Miami Florida in the late 60s and in the early 70s started playing the game locally in various local leagues right up to the premier senior league; a league where all of the current Bahamian minor leaguers played. In 1982, Jeffrey had an invite to a three day tryout with the New York Yankees in Hollywood Florida, which was an awesome experience that is lasting a life time memory for him. Jeffrey has been following the Bahamian baseball players in the minor leagues since 1999 with Angelo Burrows, but found greater interest with the signing of Antoan Richardson in 2005. He also writes a year end review on their play on his Facebook page, Baseball Bahamas, and he has a website with the same name. He has a great following and would love to expose the baseball players to a bigger worldwide audience. He has a good relationship with all the players because he personally coached most of them. His favorite MLB Team is the Detroit Tigers from 1969.