Little league staged to popularize baseball
JAKARTA (JP): For kids, sports means fun. They have to enjoy it to love it. To introduce baseball to children in Jakarta, the Garuda baseball club, Prambors baseball and softball club, Girls Radio Station and youth organization, Blue Ribbon Movement, jointly staged a "little league" for students from elementary and junior high schools.
The league for fifth and sixth grade students is called Pitching League as there is no pitcher representing competing teams. The pitching duties will be done by machine.
As for the junior high school category, each team has its own pitcher as usual.
President of the Jakarta Youth Baseball/Softball Association (JYBA), Bernie G. McCloskey, said Sunday on the sidelines of the Student Baseball Tournament 2000 in the Senayan Baseball Stadium that it was important for the youngsters to have fun playing the sport.
"For children at their ages, having fun and being with their friends are more important. Once they enjoy it, they'll return next year," he said.
"It's also a great chance for them to play baseball while developing a high level of self esteem."
Organizing committee secretary Sudarman told The Jakarta Post: "We foster friendship values while at the same time promoting baseball. It doesn't really matter whether they win or lose as long as they have fun."
"Once the students enjoy the sport, it will be easier for us to develop their skills."
Sudarman said most schools did not have their own club, but joined with other schools.
To attract interest among students, the association, which was established in 1972, will begin its regular season next month for ten weeks.
"The season starts on Nov. 18 and ends on Feb. 18 with a break for Idul Fitri and Christmas holidays," McCloskey said.
"We had some 600 players divided into 45 teams last year. We are expecting to have more than 600 players aged five to 20 years old to compete this year. They will be assigned to some 50 teams randomly."
McCloskey said interested students were encouraged to register their names as individuals instead of as teams to ensure fairness and balance.
"The organizing committee will mix all the participants into teams considering their age and skills. We are avoiding an all- stars team match against an all-beginners team," he said.
"This way, beginners can learn from their skillful teammates."
McCloskey said the All-Star team has started preparation for the Southeast Asia Youth All-Star Tournament March 28 to April 1 next year.
On Sunday, Ade Irma Elementary School soundly defeated the Flamingos 15-1 while Putra Junior High School had a comfortable 19-2 win over the Cardinals in the five-week tournament. (nvn)