Outgoing President of the Softball Federation Mr Neville A. Smith aka ‘Sheep’ has had cause to once again shed light on what seems to be an attempt to low key the importance of the sport, one the Virgin Islands can boast of as being their own and for producing some of the best in that field. He expressed frustration as the manner in which the Minister for Culture has allegedly shifted monies to repair the soft ball field to another project. Photo: VINO/File

Minister for Education and Culture Hon Myron V. Walwyn referred to as being very controversial is being blasted for demonstrating another show of high-handedness and micro-management. Photo: VINO/File

Mr Neville A. Smith said that the sport of softball can bring in good cash only if things like international leagues are held in the Virgin Islands and this would require the field being brought up to standard. Photo: VINO

Outgoing President of the Softball Federation Mr Neville A. Smith aka ‘Sheep’ has had cause to once again shed light on what seems to be an attempt to low key the importance of the sport, one the Virgin Islands can boast of as being their own and for producing some of the best in that field.

The federation recently successfully complete one of the biggest softball leagues that is held annually in the VI despite ‘all’ was not well as it relates to the required specifications for the game to be played professionally.

“I wouldn’t tell a lie and [what] I am very happy about it is the fact that the last league was very successful, it finished on a high note, we saw some of the biggest turn out of supporters and the games were really exciting. Everyone enjoyed the games,” said Mr Smith.

In the order of things the federation should have been gearing up for the commencement of junior league which they initially had plans to do in a big way which would have seen competition among the young ones from the school level being included.

“We decided, rather, based on what we were told after I was all over the media and the Minister tried to defend himself and make things look like I was lying or something, he said that there were some $300K set aside this year to fix the softball field. It’s the end of September so we decided to cancel the junior league because we were told that they would be fixing the field this year end,” Mr Smith explained.

He further said that the federation wrote the Minister indicating that the league was over and the field has been freed to allow for the repairs to go ahead. He said that the letter dated September 8, 2014 and up to the time of speaking with this news site, September 30, 2014 it has not been officially responded to.

He said that there were other matters/requests in the letter also. (See full letter below.) Smith said that he got the shock of his life when he contacted Recreation Trust and was informed that while there was no pen on paper instructions or direction that the monies that were to be used for the field repairs has been shift to another project.

“Not a letter, they claimed they (Ministry of Education and Culture) wrote me, but I haven’t received any letter, they made me cancel the junior league and now attempting to force me to give permission for a Spanish league to be played on the field, I am not giving any permission if the Minister wants he can do it not me,” said Mr. Smith.

He explained the Spanish did approach him to use the field for their league following the completion of the federation’s most recent league. Cognizant of the plans to have the field repairs the request was denied. The group went directly to the Minister, it is alleged, who instructed the Recreation Trust to instruct the federation to allow the Spanish league to use the field.

It was at that stage they both, the federation and Recreation Trust learnt that there was actually going to be no repairs and that the ‘so called’ $300K which was said to have been budgeted was shifted to another project.

This news site did make contact with Mr Stephen Payne of the Recreation Trust who when asked if the field will be repaired this year end, said, “No”.

He then went on to say that he had no official document from the Minister or the Ministry as the aspects of repairs did not fall under the Recreation Trust. “I was not officially informed,” said Mr Payne.

It was the usual royal push around from department to department, person to person as this news site attempted to secure information as it relates to the allegations levied at the Minister and his Ministry.

This has led Mr Smith to ponder if there was any $300K really set aside for the repairs of the softball field. Mr Smith said it is the question that is now spinning over his head.

As to the claims in some sections of the media that the softball needs to raise more funds on its own Mr Smith said that the sport cannot make big money in the VI save and except it arises to the stage of bringing international league/s.

This he said is possible but not with the current condition of the field. “It can happen but the field must be at a certain standard first,” insisted Mr Smith.

The Letter:

"Monday, September 8^th, 2014

Dear Mr. Walwyn,

The British Virgin Islands Softball Association wishes to inform you that the Berth “Big Man” Henley 2014 League which began in March was concluded on Friday, August 29^th, 2014.

We wish to thank you for your assistance with getting the grounds prepared for us to run a league.

However you would have noticed that there are lots more needed to be done to the entire facility including getting the clock up and running.  We are therefore once again soliciting your assistance for work to begin on the grounds as soon as possible in order for us to once more run another league which is scheduled to commence in February 2015.  It is our hope and wish that the facility be closed so that your ministry can facilitate whatever repairs and upgrade that is needed.

The Association has begun planning for the upcoming season and some activities have been planned before the next league commences.  Plans are on the way to have a school league which we hope will have your blessings and a National Team is being selected to travel to the Bahamas to represent the British Virgin Islands in late October.

We are asking kindly if you can make the relevant funds available for the team to represent the territory in Bahamas.

With kind regards,

 Neville Smith"