Japan Boosts Baseball Development in Belize

Saturday was a big day for baseball in Belize. After years of silence on the diamond, Rogers Stadium came alive as the Belize Softball Federation teamed up with Japan to celebrate Belize/Japan Baseball Day. With gear donations, coaching support, and a renewed push to grow the sport, the event marked a major step forward for baseball development in the country.

 

Marconi Leal Jr., President, Belize Softball Federation   

“Today, it’s celebrating the baseball day, the Belize/Japan Baseball Day.”

 

Reporter

“Talk to me about what it is we’re doing here at the Rogers Stadium.”

 

Marconi Leal Jr.

“So we’re here at the home of softball and many would know that it’s also the home of baseball, and for years, we haven’t seen baseball played in this stadium. And so, today, it’s definitely a great opportunity where we are seeing Japan supporting Belize and they have been supporting us for years in softball and baseball. We have a coach in country at all times and I am happy today we saw that coach sharing his stories. One of his players from Japan was here donating to our athletes who are out here on a daily basis working out for baseball. And so, we’re happy about the opportunity, getting gears to support the development of baseball going forward. We’re a new federation and, over the years, not much has been invested in baseball. The focus was mainly on softball, but of course, there was a lot of needs required for the investment in infrastructure, investment in equipment. As a new federation, a little over a year, we’ve been laying down the foundation in terms of updating our constitution because we are mandated by the World Baseball Confederation which amalgamated in 2013. This Belize Softball Federation has that mandate to develop baseball in Belize.”