Belize Hosts Tri‑Nation Youth Baseball Tournament

The Baseball Federation of Belize is calling all fans out to the field tomorrow as young athletes from Belize, Guatemala, and Mexico face off in the Initiatory Babe Ruth National Baseball Tournament. It’s shaping up to be a full day of energy, competition, and some serious talent from the region’s rising stars. The tournament gets underway on Saturday, January twenty-fourth, at nine a.m. sharp at Sandhill Field on the Philip Goldson Highway. Organizers say the event is aimed at developing youth talent and growing the sport locally, while giving players exposure to international competition. We spoke with one of the organizers Sasha Eiley and one of the young talented baseball players today.

 

Sasha Eiley, Public Relations Director, Belize Baseball Federation

“This is a huge deal for Belize, only because it’s the first time a tournament like this is being played in Belize and it’s baseball. When we were younger, we grew up on Chicago TV, we grew up on baseball. It was never a softball thing, it was a baseball thing. So it’s going to be very nostalgic. I am thirty-six and I’ve never seen a baseball game played. So it’s an experience and it’s an experience as a sport fanatic that I would like to have. So I think everyone who is into sport, or can remember when they were younger and used to watch a Cubs game they will definitely be excited to be there and be a part of it. And it’s a historic moment like you would want to be a part of history. We have two Belizean teams that will be playing. They are the Young Legends and Black Viper. Black Viper is from SJC and the young legend is the softball team that recently won their league. And coming in, we have the Mexican, the Irish and we have a Guatemala team coming in.”

 

Kobe Castellanos, Pitcher, Vipers

“We could expect just good competition, just good gameplay, good pitching, everything.”

 

Shane Williams

“And what has the team done to prepare for this game?”

 

Kobe Castellanos

“We have a practice today at five o’clock just to get ready for the game.”

Shane Williams

“And do you all think you’re ready for the international competition?”

 

Kobe Castellanos

“Yes, I do think.”