The need for fields

To all who sent their greetings in person, via phone calls, text, email, Facebook, and by other means, thanks a lot. I was overwhelmed by the volume of greetings.

I am now a year older and I hope wiser also. 

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US Ambassador Harry K. Thomas is a big fan of baseball and last weekend, at least 300 kids from Cebu had a chance to improve their skills in the sport tagged as America’s number one pastime.

The skills enhancement activity was done through a clinic held at the Aboitiz Sports Field in Subangdaku, Mandaue City as part of the America in 3D program.

I saw the enthusiasm of the kids when I visited the Aboitiz Sports Field last Sunday and I hope it will encourage more to take up either baseball or softball in the near future.

The biggest problem of course is the lack of a field where the enthusiasts can play at.

There used to be fields in some public schools that were opened to those who wanted to play, but these were later closed due to the vandals, who destroyed the school property thus displacing the batted sports enthusiasts.

I’m sure the players did not have a hand in those acts of vandalism, but they were made to suffer because of the acts on some crazy individuals.

Like football, playing fields for baseball and softball are hard to come by. Maybe our land developers, who have spaces available, could offer them as temporary homes for softball and baseball.

We of course continue to look forward to the area in the South Road Properties (SRP) that would be devoted to sports.

I’m keeping my fingers crossed for that.

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Aside from the lack of a field, another reason why batted sports are having a hard time getting players is the cost of the equipment. You need to shell out a few thousand pesos for a good glove, but this investment could last for years though.

I am therefore reiterating my call for those who have extra sports equipment lying somewhere at home to donate them to the Cebu City Sports Commission so they can be put to good use.

Maybe our Filipinos abroad, who have old mitts, balls, and bats, can stuff them with the other things they regularly send home through Balikbayan boxes and ask their family here to hand the donation.

The CCSC has an office inside the Cebu City Sports Center. All donations will be properly acknowledged.

These are some of the little things we can do to help develop sports in Cebu. You don’t need to be super rich to make a difference if you care.

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MILESTONES: Happy birthday greetings to Neil Aguilar, Joanm Troyo-Zarate, Jennifer Fajardo, Es Aliño-Estomata, and Pert Cabataña, who are all turning a year older today.

Advance greetings to those celebrating tomorrow like Jonald Raganas, Jojo Solomon, Candice Borromeo, Ador Mayol, Imelda Flores-Cuaresma, Palmy Pe-Tudtud, Rosame Odever, Mylene Arquiza-Flores, and my Tao brother Raymund Alfar, who are celebrating tomorrow.

More power to all of you!