Lim backs bid to revive baseball

MANILA, Philippines - Manila Mayor Alfredo Lim has called on all sectors to join hands in reviving and making baseball a “big thing” again even as he lauded Harbour Centre’s role in its all-out support to help develop the sport.

“Baseball is once a popular sport here and we have a number of baseball stadiums before. But its popularity continue to wane because of basketball,” said Lim.

He added that sports leaders and other sponsors should channel some of their resources in discovering baseball talents since Filipinos have pretty good chances of excelling in the sport.

“It’s an exciting sport since height is not a big factor and sluggers are interesting to watch. American stars used to come here in Manila,” said Lim during the recent courtesy call of the Harbour Centre-owned Manila Sharks, who recently scored back-to-back title romp in Baseball Philippines.

Harbour Centre officials, led by CEO Mikee Romero, chief finance officer Edwin Galvez and consultant Rich Cruz, and the Sharks presented their trophies to Lim.

With the strong involvement of Harbour Centre in the sport, Lim believes baseball is on its way to regaining its popularity.

“What you’re doing is a big boost to baseball. Here in Manila, you can help and inspire a lot of kids to play the sport,” Lim told the Manila Sharks in Filipino.

Romero vowed to firm up the team’s roster as it goes for a record third straight championship in the BP series. Romero also mentioned to Lim about his plan to help in the formation of the national team for the coming SEA Games in Indonesia this November.

Erick Arejola, Romero’s chief lieutenant, and Cruz are scheduled to meet with officials of the Philippine Amateur Baseball Association (PABA) this week to discuss their plans.

“If we meet again, we will not only present you another baseball trophy but also a gold medal in the SEA Games,” said Romero, who also funded the national basketball team that won the SEA Games gold in the 2007 SEA Games in Thailand.