TWENTY-TWO teams are participating in the inaugural staging of the Jamaica Amateur Softball Association (JASA) Primary Schools Softball League which got under way at The Mico University College, Marascaux Road, last Friday.

The participating Primary Schools are Drewsland Primary, Pembroke Hall, Ascot, Calabar, St Patrick’s, Holy Rosary, Dunrobin, St Richards, Maverley, Franklyn Town, Rollington Town, Holy Family, St Michael’s, Naggo Head, Elletson, Excelsior, Waterford, Dupont, Balmagie, Allman Town, Portsmouth and Independence City.

Allison McLean, permanent secretary in the Ministry of Culture, Gender Affairs, Entertainment and Sports, who represented the Minister of Sports Olivia Grange, delivered greetings as guest speaker at the official launch of the Primary School’s Softball League.

“We are here to ensure in whatever way possible that we assist you in growing and developing the game throughout the length and breadth of Jamaica. I am very pleased by the progress the Jamaica Amateur Softball Association has made within the last two years, and also acknowledge the work at the high school level,” she said.

McLean said the organising and conducting of coaching and umpiring courses with the help of the Canadian governing body must be applauded, and is a critical step forward in entrenching softball here.

She said she we would like to see more softball coaching and umpiring courses being held in Jamaica, perhaps biannually as a start, and then on a quarterly basis.

“If we are going to be serious about establishing the game in the psyché of Jamaicans, then we must constantly look at empowering our own people in the areas of coaching, umpiring, administration, and data entry,” she explained.

McLean said the G C Foster College of Physical Education and Sports, the only institution of its kind in the English-speaking Caribbean, should be a key partner in the drive to entrench softball in local schools.

“The training of softball coaches and physical education teachers at G C Foster College, Mico University College, and other tertiary institutions will ensure there is continuity when these youngsters here today, graduate into high schools and then matriculate into the tertiary system,” she said.

Meanwhile, Tommy Velazquez — president of the World Baseball Softball Confederation (WBSC) Americas Softball, second vice-president of WBSC Softball Division (formerly International Softball Federation, Member-At-Large of WBSC, and president of Puerto Rico Softball — said on behalf of all these organisations he headed, he was glad to see the development of softball in Jamaica as it is developing in many countries around the world.

“I certainly will support the development of softball in Jamaica as there are skills and goals to achieve. There are many scholarships around in softball, along with semi-professionals. The development of softball will need to start from the little ones,” said Velazquez, who was on his first visit to Jamaica.

Burkett Dorsett, president of the English Caribbean Amateur Softball Confederation (ECSAC), said he was happy to see the return of softball in Jamaica.

“ECSAC will assist Jamaica in the development of the game, and it is critical to spread around the entire island. They must also have discipline and should listen to their coaches as there are many scholarships in the United States in the sport,” Dorsett said.

He wished the JASA and the players best of luck for the season, and said he will be looking for the sport’s development in Jamaica in the near future.