Coaches look far and wide for softball talent

It’s been a very long time since the Golden Girls put Belize on the map of international softball and those tales of past glory are no substitute for today’s hits, runs and victory on the region’s diamonds. But hope springs eternal…as Patrick Jones reports.

Patrick Jones, Reporting

She’s doesn’t have the name recognition of an Audrey Joseph or Margaret Usher, but eighteen-year-old Ashley Fernandez is hoping to follow in their footsteps. Fernandez, who lives in Miami, is of Belizean parentage and claims dual nationality. This afternoon she was on the diamond at Rogers Stadium trying to convince officials of the Belize Softball Federation to give her a shot at making the National team.

Patrick Henry, V.P., Belize Softball Federation

“And we got the training team to come out here today and see if the person, the subject that we are interested in is of any consequence and where down the road, that person can help the Belize National women’s Team.”

But the Belize National Team has been inactive since 2001 and it is not known when the girls will see action again on the international stage. Fernandez, who has eight years pitching and playing experience under her belt, says she has put a lot of work into her game and that it would mean a lot to represent the blue, white and red.

Ashley Fernandez, National Team Hopeful

“Too much. I’ve played every summer of my life, every year… I’ve put way too much, way too much.”

Patrick Jones

“But it has paid off hasn’t it?”

Ashley Fernandez

“Definitely. I mean, I can hit also I’m not only a pitcher, I could hit, I could play a number of positions.”

Whatever position she eventually ends up playing for team Belize, Fernandez will not be breaking any new ground, as Belize, like many other countries, has systematically invited its nationals in the diaspora to represent them in international competition.

Patrick Henry

“And we are at a juncture where we definitely need help from all the Belizeans who live abroad, once they are prepared to come back and work as a part of the national team. It’s no guarantee that they will be on the women’s national team, but they have expressed an interest.”

A special selection committee will ultimately make that decision. Patrick Jones, for News 5.

In related news the Belize Softball Federation will be sponsoring its first ever legends/celebrity game on the night of August twenty-first at Rogers Stadium.