Momentum Building for World Baseball Challenge

Sunday, April 10, 2011 04:28 AM

World Baseball Committee Chair Jim Swanson smiles as Councilor Cameron Stolz, Coast Inn of the North Manager Doug Andrews, and Mayor Dan Rogers sport Cuban ball team jerseys and caps.

Prince George, B.C.- The World Baseball Challenge is just three months away from hitting the field in Prince George, and there's a wave of momentum through recent announcements.

The partnership with the Toronto Blue Jays, Canada's only Major League Baseball franchise, has provided a shot in the arm to the organizing committee, through support in many different areas, some of it still to be unveiled. The Blue Jays are bringing a youth camp that will be the first of its kind in Prince George, providing area children a chance to learn from big-leaguers -- July 4-6, for ages 8-16, with registration through the team's website at bluejays.com. Only 150 spots are available.

"What an opportunity this is. We don't have coaching or organizing at the Blue Jays level in Prince George -- this will be beyond anyone's expectations, people should be very excited to see Duane Ward, Lloyd Moseby, Rance Mulliniks and Mark Eichhorn conducting what we think will be the best sports camp this city has ever seen," said co-chair and marketing director Shawn Rice.

"This camp is coming here because of the World Baseball Challenge, the same as Rotary Field is getting a facelift because of the tournament. Without World Baseball, things like this wouldn't be happening. The camp is filling up fast, the Blue Jays are pleased with that. We put on a kids camp in 2009 that was universally lauded for the level of certified instruction, for how much fun the kids had, and the feedback was tremendous.

"That the Blue Jays support this tournament should tell anyone who doesn't know much about the World Baseball Challenge exactly what we have here, this is pretty special."

Bahamas, Cuba and the Beijing Tigers have been announced, and the next news to unveil will be the format of the teams representing Canada and the United States. Organizers expect it will be a seven-team tournament once all the paperwork and travel arrangements are submitted. Cuba's inclusion was revealed on Friday, April 8, after the Cubans supplied the proper paperwork and written confirmation on Tuesday, April 5.

"As it stands now, we will have most of the top-ranked national teams here, a lineup that is beyond anyone's expectations," said chairman Jim Swanson.

"We were disappointed Germany couldn't return, it's a funding issue for them. They were great for the 2009 tournament, beating both the USA and Canadian teams and finishing second, that was history-making for them. They wanted to return. We also know we won't have to use the fall-back position of Team BC, as was done in 2009. There is no economic downturn, there is no H1N1 virus, there is no battle over players defecting. Those things added to the challenge two years ago.

"Bahamas is excited to come here, so are the Beijing Tigers. Cuba is the best team in the world. USA was incredible in 2009, and they'll be shooting to beat Cuba. Canada will represent well. The other teams that will be added will be of the same quality, setting up a tremendous competition."

The call for volunteers will go out soon, with Audrey Foster coordinating that area. Planning is taking shape around concessions, beer garden, merchandising, tickets, the clubhouse and team hosting program, transportation, and accommodations, along with other operations areas. Ticket packages are available through Ticketmaster locations, with full-tournament passes priced at $199 and $149.

"One thing we are doing differently this year is bringing the accommodations piece downtown, to make this event even more a part of the community," said Swanson.

"There are some other add-ons to be released, our directors are putting the final touches on things. We have a goal -- the Cougars have drawn crowds approaching 6,000 many times, and we had 4,700 out for the opening ceremonies night in 2009. We'd like to set a record for attending a sporting event in Prince George and it could be a game between Cuba and USA, or Cuba and Canada, that fills the park to overflowing. It's great to have an outdoor venue that can allow more people to come in."

The makeup of the organizing committee, when looked at closely, is quite interesting. Many of the people listed are pillars of this community, but very few have any direct ties to baseball -- they are doing this because it's great for Prince George, accountable for a tournament that costs $500,000 to operate.

"Whenever we see any conflicts show up, and those will happen from time to time when coordinating an event of this magnitude, it's clear the person behind the conflict has a selfish agenda in mind -- there are no selfish agendas on the committee, none at all," said Swanson.

"We're very focused on steering away from chasing ghosts of negativity. We have our eyes on putting the best event on, doing everything first class. Those who are in the way of that goal are not thinking of what's right for Prince George, they are being selfish. There is nothing we work on where we say 'that is good enough.' It has to start with character and being community-minded. Tough decisions have to be made, and when they are, they have to be made for the right reasons. There are a few people who were involved last time who are not involved this time, but that's part of the evolution of a major event like this. Representing your community, on or off the field, is a privilege but one that comes with great responsibility."

Opening night is Friday, July 8.

More information -- www.worldbaseball.ca; For sponsorship information, contact Shawn Rice at 250-612-9856 or shawnwbc@telus.net