By Buster Laing

Special to The FN

If you happen to miss one of the greatest shows in the second-to-none city last year, don't be dishearten because once again Grand Bahama will host one of the most exciting weekends in baseball.

The 10th annual Bahamas Baseball Federation 2012 Andre Rodgers National Baseball Championships is set for June 22-26 at the Grand Bahama Baseball park and the YMCA baseball field.

"Everyone should be here for this year's championship because this being the 10th year anniversary, we will do some wonderful things that we have not done prior and I truly believe this will be the greatest and largest nationals ever in numbers and in the level of competition," said Bahamas Baseball Federation President Craig Kemp, who announced that the nationals will begin on Thursday morning at 8:00 a.m.

"All the respective leagues are growing and developing. Gone are the days when one league dominates the nationals, because in order to win your division you need to compete everyday and compete fiercely in every game.

"It is never a clean cut and dry situation and that is great for baseball."

This year after a one year absence the powerful Freedom Farm team out of New Providence goes head-to-head with their nemesis, the Junior Baseball League of Nassau (JBLN), along with the home team favorites Legacy Baseball.

The Grand Bahama Amateur Baseball Association and the Grand Bahama Little league, along with other teams from the family of Islands who will carry the pride of their league and their respective Island in their quest to be crowned 2012 Andre Rodgers National Baseball Champions.

"Freedom Farm have committed to compete in this year's nationals shortly after last year's nationals... and they are saying they are coming for six," said Kemp who confirmed that Freedom Farm will be in this year's field.

The "Goliath" of last year's tournament was the Junior Baseball League of Nassau (JBLN), who won three of the six titles up for grabs including Coach Pitch, Major Division (11-12) and Junior Division (13-15), silver medal in the Under 25 division and bronze medals in the 9-10 and 16-18 division.

Grand Bahama Little League and G.B. Amateur Baseball Association joined The Junior Baseball League of Nassau as the only leagues to capture a medal in all six divisions.

The Grand Bahama Little League & Association captured the gold in the Minor division (9-10), four silver medals inclusive of the Coach Pitch, 11-12, 13-15, 16-18 age division and a bronze medal in the Under 25 division (GB Little League captured the silver and GBABA the bronze.)

Legacy Baseball of Grand Bahama claimed the High School division title in the 16-18 and the College Division (Under 25) and a bronze medal in the 11-12 age division.

Spanish Wells Baseball League rounded out the medal count by collecting silver in the 9-10 division.

Other participating leagues were Bimini Baseball League, All Abaco Baseball league, Long Island Baseball League and Inagua Baseball League.

Freedom Farm League did not participating in last year's championships.

A total of the 33 teams participated in the tournament.

The Grand Bahama Port Authority, Limited (GBPA) has been named principal sponsor of this year's 10th Annual Andre Rodgers National Baseball Championship.

With the Farm returning with vengeance in their eyes, which teams will rise to the occasion or suffer the agony of defeat and who will be the contenders and the pretenders at this year's nationals?

Who are the favorites and who are the underdogs?

The following are The Freeport News' top ranked teams:

(based on last year's finish)

Coach Pitch

Division ( 7/8)

1. JBL

2. GB.Little League

2 Legacy Baseball League

4. Inagua Baseball League

2011 Championship Game

Junior Baseball League of Nassau 13, GB Little League 8

Hitting star:Amatzi Mcphee 3-3 (JBLN)

Minor League

Division (9 &10)

1. GB Little League

2.Spanish Wells Baseball

3. JBLN

4. Legacy Baseball League

2011 Championship Game

G.B. Little League 8,

Spanish Wells 4

MVP: Jahsiah Gilbert

Major League

Division (11-12 years)

1. JBLN

2.GB Little League

3. Legacy Baseball League

4. Long Island Baseball

2011 Championship Game

JBLN 13

G.B. Little League 1

MVP: Travis Ferguson 4-5, two RBI's.

Junior Division

(13-15)

1. JBLN

2. GB Amateur Baseball

3. GB Little League

4. Spanish Wells

2011 Championship game

JBLN 5,GB Amateur Baseball 4

MVP: Byron Murray

High School

Division (16-18)

1. Legacy Baseball League

2. GB Little League

3. JBLN

4. Bimini Baseball League

2011 Championship Game

Legacy Baseball 5

G.B. Little League 4

College Division

(25 & Under)

1. Legacy Baseball League

2. JBLN

3. G.B.Amateur Baseball

Championship Game

Legacy Baseball League 6,

JBLN 1