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HomeNewsArchives2007 Latin American Big League Baseball Tournament Kicks Off Opening Ceremony

2007 Latin American Big League Baseball Tournament Kicks Off Opening Ceremony

July 8, 2007 — The Virgin Islands' hosting of the 2007 Latin American Big League Baseball Tournament kicked off Friday evening at the D.C. Canegata ballpark with a grand-opening ceremony.
The ceremony started with a parade of the five teams participating in this year’s tournaments, led by the Sparkle Lite twirlers of St. Croix.
The teams competing in this year’s tournament hail from Curacao, Panama, Puerto Rico, Venezuela and the host, St. Croix, representing the Virgin Islands.
After an invocation in both Spanish and English by the Rev. Ruben Ruiz, it was time for the anthems of the participating locales. First up was the National Anthem, followed by the V.I. March. Both were performed to a standing ovation by local singing sensation Trevon Nelson. One of the coaches for the team from Puerto Rico sang its anthem.
Joe Samuel, district administrator for Little League in the territory, welcomed the teams to the territory, reminding them of the value of good sportsmanship, to do their best and play well.
Opening remarks in English and Spanish also came from the acting commissioner of Housing, Parks and Recreation, St. Claire Williams; Sen. Juan Figueroa-Seville; and Delegate Donna M. Christensen. Figueroa-Seville was a member of the 26th Legislature, which passed legislation to allocate $150,000 for the staging of the tournament.
Samuel commended the Parks and Recreation staff — responsible for getting the playing field ready for the tournament — for the outstanding job they did on the ballpark.
Williams was not alone in noticing the condition of the ballpark. Many past and present baseball players could be heard throughout the evening commenting on the field being in the best shape it has been in years, and expressing hope that the department could now maintain it this way.
The Rising Stars Steel Orchestra delivered a toe-tapping, head-bobbing Bob Marley medley, followed by another performance by the Sparkle Lite Twirlers.
Omari Eastman, the St. Croix all-star’s second baseman, came forward and led all the players in reciting the Little League pledge.
Ruiz then came forward for the benediction and, after special recognition to all of the sponsors, it was time to play ball.
The ceremonial first pitch was delivered by Connie Watkins, the general manager of GM from Caribbean Auto Mart, a major sponsor of the event. His delivery, although a good bit outside, was well applauded by the fans in the stands.
The master of ceremonies, Eustace Davis, then thanked all the fans for coming out and showing their support to the youths. After again commending Housing, Parks and Recreation for the outstanding job that they have done in getting the whole complex ready to host the tournament, to the applause of the fans, Davis loudly proclaimed, “Play ball!”
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